The above is a Marine standing in a “med line” at a homeless shelter, he fought two tours in Iraq.
Why! and that is not a question.

I have been working with the Triad Homeless Veterans Stand down along with a handful of Marine volunteers for the last 4 years. This is a well organized event that once a year reaches out to several counties in the area to help homeless veterans. Held at the National Guard Armory in Greensboro, the event provides minor first aid, dental services, a shower, clothing and a hot meal to hundreds of homeless veterans.

Most people turn there heads when they see a homeless vet with no regards to his service to this Country and with no notion of why he or her is homeless. Some are without work, some are dealing with PTSD or other mental illnesses that make living in our society confusing.  Some left home to serve as a kid and came back as a man only to find their family had abandoned them. Of the 200,000 homeless veterans in this country many are combat veterans and approximately 2000 are from the war in Iraq. Many are Vietnam Vets and yes many are from the Greatest Generation WWII vets, surviving best they can after retirement funds and other hardships have left them with no alternative.

In North Carolina there are several Veteran Homeless Stand Downs and efforts through the year. We will post them as we get the dates and other information. If you can, join in with us and help these vets from all branches. You never know, it could someone you served with, and with the economy the way it is be prepared to see more vets down on their luck.

And as always, Best bet Hire a Vet

Semper Fi

Steve Winsett