Help Ease The Mental Burden Of An American Veteran

A few years ago I pulled into a Wal-Mart parking lot and saw a veteran in need. He was holding a sign that read “Veteran will work for food or money.” The man weighed on my mind as I shopped for my own food, food for my pets, and unnecessary little extras like scented candles and a new Welcome mat for my front door.

When I pulled out of the Wal-Mart parking lot, I stopped at the green traffic light, rolled my window down, and gave the veteran some money. (I refrained from flipping off the irate drivers behind me who were afraid the light would turn red again before I was finished.) I know what I did wasn’t worthy of sainthood (well, maybe keeping my middle finger to myself was!). I also know that the man could have been scamming me and anyone else who stopped to help him.

However, I also know that I had to do what I was able to do, regardless of whether or not the man was telling the truth. We can only be held accountable for our own actions, after all.

For whatever reason, most of the men in, or somehow involved with, my family have served in one military branch or another. Both of my grandfathers fought in World War II. My father served during Vietnam and later went on to finish his enlistment working in the Pentagon. One uncle was in the Air Force, another was in the Army, and my ex-husband was a Marine. We don’t live near any kind of military base; it just worked out that way, haha.

Fortunately, none of these men suffered the fate of the many homeless veterans throughout America and, to my knowledge, none of them suffered from post-traumatic stress disorder or any other mental health issue.

They were lucky. Many are not.

Keeping with the theme of the week (it’s National Veterans Awareness Week 2007!), I’d like to pass on some information about an organization and its Web site I recently stumbled upon. It’s the National Coalition for Homeless Veterans (NCHV).

It’s mission statement:

The National Coalition for Homeless Veterans (NCHV) will end homelessness among veterans by shaping public policy, promoting collaboration, and building the capacity of service providers.

The NCHV provides information and support to help homeless veterans get back on their feet, information about employment assistance, and suggestions on how to get involved and help our nation’s veterans.

This is all in addition to the news pieces and resources the site keeps us updated on, including the 24-hour national suicide prevention hotline the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has established: 1-800-273-TALK.

Having fought in combat is mentally stressful enough. Imagine having fought in combat – having served your country – and facing homelessness. I urge you to spend some time on the NCHV Web site today and get involved.