Nov 11: Thank you to all veterans & those who cannot be thanks in person

Nat · 11-12-2010, 05:28 PM

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

socialjustice_fsu · 11-12-2010, 06:09 PM

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.

11-12-2010, 05:28 PM	#1
Nat Senior Member How Do You Identify?: bigender (DID System) Preferred Pronoun?: he/him or alter-specific Relationship Status: Unavailable Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Central TX Posts: 3,537 My Photo Gallery Thanks: 11,047 Thanked 13,963 Times in 2,589 Posts Rep Power: 21474855	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 __________________ I'm a fountain of blood. In the shape of a girl. - Bjork What is to give light must endure burning. -Viktor Frankl

11-12-2010, 06:09 PM	#2
socialjustice_fsu Member How Do You Identify?: Feminine Preferred Pronoun?: She, her Relationship Status: It’s all good. Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: The gulf waters are sapphire blue and the beach sand is white as snow. Posts: 607 My Photo Gallery Thanks: 6,866 Thanked 2,155 Times in 439 Posts Rep Power: 21474853	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.