Stripes: Ranks of homeless vets could grow as troops return from war

[lebkuchen]

Advocates for homeless veterans see too many veterans of the war on terrorism returning with stress disorders and not enough funds for military-to-civilian transition programs.

And they worry that could mean more troops added to the ranks of the homeless.

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Denise Randolph, who served in the Army for 12 years, said her time in the military actually contributed to her ending up destitute and without a place to live.

Several sexual assaults by male soldiers — coupled with a fear of reporting the crimes to unsympathetic superiors — led her to alcohol and drug abuse, which in turn led to a discharge from the service and, eventually, several years living on the street.

“When I went to seek help … the programs available were for men and run by men,” she said at the forum. “I had overwhelming trust issues at that time. So, a few years later I was back to drinking and back on the streets.”

http://www.stripes.com/article.asp?section=104&article=37316

[Rainscents]

1. This is so sad.

This is how we take care of our military people when they get home. :cry: :cry: :cry:

[silvertip]

2. Veterans

    It isn't just sad its an absolute disgrace!! This
wonderful nation of ours can afford to support 3rd world
countries but it doesen't seem to be able, or have any desire
to help the young men and women that put their lives on the
line to fight the wars that right or wrong is and has become
involved in.Don't get me wrong i fully support any and all
efforts to feed and clothe the needy no matter who they are or
where they come from. However i also believe in taking care of
your own first.                                               
                        I am a 63 yr. old former Marine Combat
Veteran with two tours in Vietnam,I suffer daily from the
effects of P.T.S.D.,for over thirty years i went without being
treated because i had no idea what was wrong with me. I
wasen't informed that i would spend the rest of my life
reliving  both awake and in the few hours that i am able to
sleep, when i do manage to go to sleep the things that i have
done and seen done to others. For all of those years i self
medicated myself with boose and illegal drugs, They were the
only thing that took away the nightmares in which you see the
faces of the men that you have killed and the dead and
mutilated bodies of your friends.                             
                                          On the 28th. of May
of 2003 i finally went to the V.A. in Mt. Home, Tn. where i
spent the next 13 months being treated for substance abuse and
my mental problems associated with combat. If you have never
killed another human being or sat and helt the hand of a
friend with one hand while  the other hand covered the sucking
chest wound that you knew he was going to die from then you
probably won't know what im talking about. But i guess what im
trying to say is that i needed help and the men and the women
that are coming home from this war will need all of the help
that can be given to them, not thirty years from now but right
now! That help can't be given to them by cutting off or taking
away money from the programs that provide that much needed
assistance.                                                   
                 The help given to me by the V.A.  treatment
program in Mt. Home, Tn. has done me a world of good even
though i am still and will continue to be treated for the rest
of my life.For me it came only after many years of pain and
suffering not just by me but my wife, my kids and all the rest
of my family. These programs are very small and underfunded
without money there will be thousands more just like me.These
men and women coming now need to be treated not thirty years
from now but as soon as humanly possible.Many of them will be
like me and not know whats wrong or will tell you that they
are O.K. but i will tell you that they are not O.K.!!         
                                                              
  Ant V.A. clinic or medical facility can tell you what to
look for when your loved one comes home, if they show any of
the signs of P.T.S.D. get them into treatment NOW not after
thirty years of pain. You might also RANT, RAVE and raise as
much HELL with our so called leaders as you possibly can and
force them to provide the needed money and programs. If they
either can't or won't then its time to change leaders!

[w8liftinglady]

3. My son has PTSD,too

He is coming home today,for good.He was redeployed in the middle of his treatment.I believe the Army brass really don't give a shit about the welfare of these soldiers.The ones who DID care have all left the Army.Thanks for your service,brother-and for sharing your story.

[silvertip]

7. My son has PTSD,too

     You are very welcome also thank your son for me and tell
him that he should not feel guilty that he came home alive
when many of his friends did not.                             
                                         Most of the military
brass do care, they have been there and done that. It's our
fearless and draft dodging leaders that IMO are to blame they
should  both be issued an M-16 and sent to Iraq.              
                                                          Tell
your son to also file for compensation with the V.A. he has
earned every penny that he can get and more.

[ismnotwasm]

4. This was so predictable

Send them out, use them up, give a token stab at addressing the psychological impact of war, and set them loose. Make sure the money isn't there for help, or that the resourses that are available are hard to get.

And apparently, the women coming back have it even harder because no one thought to address the issue early.

Because the war mongers don't CARE what happens to those who go to war. They only care about the war itself. And the profit to be made.

Every asshole conservative who stood on freeway overpasses with their "Support Out Troops" signs needs to get busy, find these lost souls and do some volunteering. Of course they won't- they had their 15 minutes.

[Toots]

5. So are Democrats for "women in combat"

I know we are far equality but it sounds like being in Combat is anything but "equal". I am for everybody being able to chose any thing they want to do as long as it's legal. If a man can do it so can a woman if she so pleases the same for gays or natives or "anybody"...but is America set up for that yet? I mean this gal's situation is a perfect example of how sometimes things take more time than they should. Women in combat is one of those things. America is not quite geared up for it yet. Gays in the Military either.... What I am saying is we need to get some changes made before it will become safe for "Equality"..

[silvertip]

6. Equality

   Im all fot it, but if you want to go into combat you need
to start your treatment right NOW.