Veteran’s Day…by Jessica
About 75% of our community at HOMEpdx are Veterans. Last Sunday like most Sundays there were about 65 men who had served out country just hanging out in the basement with all of us. As far as I know every single one of these men served during wartime and now each one is struggling to survive. A small few have hotel rooms or apartments but cannot make enough to meet any individual’s basic needs; the majority of my veteran friends are sleeping outside and waiting for the VA to pay attention. They are waiting for the government to give them the money that they were promised, they are waiting for someone to call them back or send the letter in the mail, they are waiting for a hearing, and they are waiting to start all over because they haven’t been able to jump thru the hoops the way that the VA expects them too.
Many statistics say that veterans make up 23% of the population living outside; I believe that statistic is extremely conservative. Many of my veteran friends struggle with life long injuries; physical, mental and emotional as a result of their service to our country and when they are forced to live outside those injuries that exist as a result of the war are compounded with the injuries that living out side cause.
At HOMEpdx we have an incredible opportunity to love and be loved by these amazing men, we get to hear their stories, laugh with them, cry with them and live life together. These men like everyone who lives outside deserve to be acknowledged. These men deserve to have their basic needs met and shouldn’t they be acknowledged and honored for their bravery, loyalty and service to the United States? I encourage anyone interested to listen to the stories of our veterans who are living outside. I have found these friends of my to be some of the most sensitive insightful people I have ever met and I want to badly to make life different for them, I want for each of them to experience justice and equality.
Joel 11/22/09 4:43 AM |
It’s amazing to me that in a culture that is so centered around “Honoring Those Who Serve Our Country,” we seem to honor Veterans the CONCEPT far more than Veterans the actual people who are hurt and in need. When my brother was deployed for the SECOND time to Iraq this year, the Governer said at the ceremony that he’d love to shake their hands, but, y’know, SWINE FLU. thanks, Gov. Thanks a fucking lot.
Thank you for reals, Ken and Jessica and everyone, for daring to reach out and touch the outcasts and honor those who have given tgheir body and soul for this God-blessed America!
Debbie 12/11/09 10:44 AM |
Ken, can’t figure out any other way to get a hold of you. Wanted to talk to you about getting involved. Could you email when you have a chance? Thanks!