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In 2009, the Department of Veterans Affairs estimated that there are approximately 131,000 homeless veterans, accounting for 20 percent of the entire homeless population.
National Coalition for Homeless Veterans http://www.nchv.org/background.cfm ■23% of the homeless population are veterans ■33% of the male homeless population are veterans ■47% served Vietnam-era ■17% served post-Vietnam ■15% served pre-Vietnam ■67% served three or more years ■33% were stationed in war zone ■25% have used VA homeless services ■85% completed high school/GED, compared to 56% of non-veterans ■89% received an honorable discharge ■79% reside in central cities16% reside in suburban areas ■5% reside in rural areas ■76% experience alcohol, drug or mental health problems ■46% are white males, compared to 34% of non-veterans ■46% are age 45 or older, compared to 20% non-veterans ■45% need help finding a job ■37% need help finding housing Roughly 56 percent of all homeless veterans are African American or Hispanic, despite only accounting for 12.8 percent and 15.4 percent of the U.S. population respectively. Additional Veteran Links Gay American Veterans http://www.facebook.com/notes.php?id...55948574448678 The Code Talkers - Native American Indians http://www.facebook.com/notes.php?id...55945274449008 Women Veterans http://www.facebook.com/notes.php?id...55941181116084 The Aztec Eagles - Esquadron 201 http://www.facebook.com/notes.php?id...55937154449820 K-9 Pride http://k9pride.com/?p=744 How Dogs help veterans cope with PTSD http://www.time.com/time/video/playe...030797,00.html Serving Veterans and their Families http://www.serve.gov/families.asp |
Today...
I had the honor and privilege to stand before a group of approximately 300 Veterans and their loved ones to deliver a speech of gratitude for their valor and sacrifices. The hospice I work for as a licensed clinical social worker had taken to task to show our collective appreciation to the Veteran's we often serve in the healthcare arena. Never could you have convinced me I would be making this presentation even a year ago. Many in attendance were WWII Veterans. To look out into a sea of weathered, worn, and tired Veterans' faces and see their tears fall as I (very choked up) said to them "Thank you for your service...you are, indeed, The Greatest Generation." At the conclusion of my speech each Veteran's name was called. Our staff presented them with a distinguished certificate of appreciation and a lapel pin in honor of their service. At each pinning several active military men and women walked up to them and saluted them. I will tell you from my heart...I witnessed men and women pulling themselves up from their wheelchairs and returning the salute back to them. Many have Alzheimer's or a form of dementia...but somehow by the Grace of God they knew...they really knew for just a few minutes they were being honored. Some uttered words today that have not spoken in 2 or 3 years. For me, I have been honored to be in their presence. To be a witness to this event has softened my heart and fostered my pride in still the greatest Nation on earth.
Thank you, Veteran's. You will not be forgotten. |
To Our Veterans,
There are no words to describe the level of gratitude that I feel. Each day that you served, regardless of the location, was a sacrifice. That will not be forgotten. We take so many things for granted in this country, but I promise to never take your time, your service, or YOU for granted. Thank you for your love for our country, your many sacrifices, your willingness to serve no matter the circumstances. Thank you for what it meant, especially, if you had to serve silently in order to protect yourself, your job, and possibly your pension. Thank you for everything. If you are plagued with nightmares, I hope they can be replaced with peace. If you were injured, I hope it heals completely. If you lost friends, I hope you have a vault of happy memories. Thank you...from the bottom of my heart. YOU are the reason we have the freedoms we have. YOU are the reason we can wake up each day and not have the kind of governments others are forced to live with. YOU are the reason that we can take so much for granted. May that never be forgotten. In Eternal Gratitude, Lis |
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DITTO In LOVING Memory and Pride :candle: Walter Sheppard Elliott :candle: * Selected personally by General Omar Bradley, to a two man Planning Committee (with General Charles A. Hart), quartered in the home of Wally Simpson, Bryanston Square. Prepared the planning of the Invasion and follow-up in Normandy, - "Operation Over-Lord" (D-Day-WWII) under "Bigot" classification (classification above Top Secret), accepted by General Eisenhower (President). * Request personally granted by General Bradley to join in the 1ST Division, aboard the LST 391, scheduled to assault Omaha Beach on D-Day. * Liberated all prisoners at Nazi concentration camp, "Buchenwald" :wwii-veterans: An American Hero :wwii-veterans: MY HERO - MY HOMAGE - MY "PAL" . I miss you Daddy:formalbow: :missu: : . . My apologies, I can not resist an opportunity to boast about my Father's historical accomplishments. |
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