2011 is now history, as we look forward to an uncertain 2012 and whatever the future holds for each of us. Looking back, our armed forces are finished with the war in Iraq and only God knows what is in store for our forces in Afghanistan. Many veterans of Iraq spent Christmas with their families while many were deploying to Afghanistan. May God watch over our forces that are in harms way.
The Christmas season has passed, the New Year has arrived and thinking of this months column has left me with many thoughts of all the homeless veterans and how to put it to type has been a struggle. Many a veteran serving during an armed conflict missed Christmas with their families and I am sure it was most difficult. I know for myself I spent many a Christmas away from my own family while serving. It was a lonely time for sure. The packages came filled with cookies and the sorts of stuff all enjoyed during this festive occasion. All of the troops would share with each other except for those special items that kept the memories of Christmases past alive. The holiday meal in the mess hall was food and that was about it. No offense to the cooks; it just was not the same as being home.
As for our veterans returning from Iraq, I am happy to say they will have spent an extra special Christmas at home. For those deployed to Afghanistan I am saddened that they will miss another Christmas away from home. For them and their loved ones, it must especially hard knowing their future is uncertain. Sometimes looking back is like the Dickens Scrooge Christmas past, Christmas present and Christmas future. As for Christmas past, maybe we wonder what if and as far as the future holds, only God knows.
This brings us to Christmas present and the void that only the veteran can fill. What I struggle with the most is the thought of the homeless veteran. The community shelter, The Bridge, offers the homeless shelter during the winter months, but what about the summer? There may be many issues that have put these homeless veterans at risk. Some due to strained family relationships, Post Traumatic Stress (PTS), Mental Illness not associated with PTS, disability, the loss of a job, relocation to the area, and then something goes awry. Misfortune can happen to any of us.
Resources for the homeless are limited. Just because one may be a veteran does not mean they have unlimited access to benefits. In most cases, a veteran must enroll in the Veterans Administration (VA) to get those veterans benefits and I am here to tell you it does not happen overnight. The community helps as much as possible. The shelter provides sleeping quarters, the Methodist Church and Episcopal Church provide lunches, and the Annual Community Christmas dinner provides for those wishing to eat. All of these efforts may help provide the necessity of shelter and subsistence, but are far from being with family.
What else can be done for the homeless veteran in our community? When I say community I mean the county. The Veterans of Foreign Wars and the Disabled American Veterans can offer some assistance by way of grants received for the purpose to help needy veterans on a limited basis. The American Legion is able to assist veterans when funds are available. There are some other agencies in the county that also assist, but their funds are also limited. We are a fortunate community. There are many who advocate for these organizations with donated time and monies, whose sole purpose is to help the homeless.
The internet is a good source of information. Veterans can source this information through the public library with minimal effort. I have Googled assistance for veterans and have come up with many sources of information that could be helpful to the veteran needing outside assistance or information. I also found a very good site: www.joiningforces.gov. Politics aside, The First Lady Michelle Obama and Dr. Jill Biden have worked hard to put the veteran and their families on the national front and maintain a focus to help those returning veterans. The sacrifice our veterans have made for our country should not go unnoticed they should be given the opportunity to work and apply the knowledge and skills they have learned in the service of our country.
The President, on the 21st of November of 2011 signed into law VOW to Hire Heroes Act which gives tax credit to those employers who hire veterans or disabled veterans. The website joiningforces.gov also has a Job Bank to help assist veterans find jobs comparable with military skills and experience. I know that these web sites do not get rid of the problem of homeless veterans, but surely they may interest some veterans and potential employers who may be looking for dedicated and loyal employees. In most cases, the homeless veteran is only asking for an opportunity to succeed and provide for the basics of life for him or herself.
I think it is everyones responsibility to help the homeless, whether a veteran or not, by donating time, food or monies to an organization that help support the homeless in our county. I also believe as a veteran our responsibility is to help other veterans as we can. I would like to invite all of you readers to listen to our monthly Veterans Forum the last Friday of every month at 8:30 a.m. on KSJD Dry Land Community Radio 91.5 FM. If you are a veteran and have a subject you would like me to cover, please call. Robert Valencia is a retired Army Veteran, Senior Vice Commander Montezuma County VFW Post 5231. He can be reached at 560-1891.