Do you think this was a real Vietnam Vet?

Brad M

Can't say for sure Commander. Vets handle things differently. Just because someone is a Vet, does not exclude them from being homeless. I was just lucky enough to finish out a military career and not get kicked out before I did. So I get three checks a month from Uncle Sam, Mil Retirement, VA Disability, and Combat Compensation, plus what I make at work. I've seen people with 18 plus years get kicked out with nothing as far as retirement money or any type of lump sum. Then you got to understand that there is a difference in Vets and they all handle it differently. Some were on the ground in the heat of combat while there were those who sat on their @ss in a base camp somewhere. So you can see how that would effect people differently. There has been periods in my life to where I just wanted to say "screw it" and give up everything. Thank God for my kids. They kept me going and from ending up like the guy you gave the dollar to. I would suggest that if he is out there every day, that you swing by McDonald's and get him a breakfast meal instead of money. I say that because, if this guy is truely down and out, as soon as he gets enough money together, he's going to head straight to the closest liquor store. That's what I would do!

Dr. Gonzo

NO, you've been dooped by some homeless guy who has a gimmick and it worked.

wake up.

oh and BTW, I have seen that several hundred times.

watch out for the "I'm out of gas and I'm from out of town. Can I trouble you for some gas money?" scam

ChrissyT214

You could have been scammed,but our government doesn't have a real great history of taking care of our Veterans.

Prof. Dave

There are actually people who make a good living begging year round. I mean I have seen statistics that some make as much as 50 to 60 thousand a year!!!!! While some people are misfortune and are homeless and in need, some just take advantage of other peoples kindness. There are all kinds of places for homeless people to go. These are not the best places in the world but it is better than sleeping under a bridge. He may have been or may not have been a Vietnam vet. He could have been using that just to make more people feel sorry for him. I don't think giving a guy a dollar is wrong, just as long as you can afford to give it. I prefer to give money to charities and so on. That way I know the people who seek help and need it will get it.

Bad Kitty!

In my town, panhandling is a regular job.

There are people who will give signs to homeless folks, take them around town and station them at street corners, give them a sign. At the end of the day, they are gathered back up, and get to keep a portion of what they "made" that day. The rest goes to the people they "work" for.

They can make more at that job that I make at my regular one. I've given cold water to them on hot days, and food t ones who look like they're starving, but I don't give money.

Joseph

who cares? He was a human in need.

MrPotatoHead

the statistics show that many, many vets are among the homeless
so maybe... in any case it was good for you to give something
http://www.nchv.org/background.cfm

freedom_isn't free

Come on- $1 given to a homeless guy? My Dad was actually a REAL Vietnam Vet and he gave more than just $1 to anyone who needed it, he gave his coat to a homeless person when it was freezing outside.Learn from his example.

man_marathon

by law,the police are supposed to pick up all vets and take them to the va hospital,as you know,being homeless for a lengthy time disturbs people mentaly,he apparently is on the run to keep away from the police,the numbers of dam vets are dwindling now,more than half of us 6.8 million nam vets have already died.i am 60,former combat marine and nam vet of "c" 1/9 rd division at conthien

Ja Ja

He could be, can't know for sure without getting to know the guy personally. There are plenty of vets, along with professionals, who end up homeless/on the streets for various reasons.

Mac Boswell

Did he look to be fifty five sixty? if not then you just gave some homeless guy a buck.
Did you feel ok about it? If so hes a Vet and leave it at that.
If you real want to know so you can help him.
Talk to him next time and give him a sandwitch and some coffee.
the link below could give you more info on where he can get help.

AmericanPatriot

ANYONE can buy a fatigue jacket with some patches, hold up a sign saying VIET NAM/GULF WAR/VET...only a couple of minutes talking with those guys will prove they were never even in the MILITARY, let alone overseas.
One of 'my girls' was in D.C. last summer and told me she saw a lot of homeless vets, that her mom told her a lot of Viet Nam vets were druggies, alcoholics and always in trouble. I set her straight REAL quick. MOST Viet Nam vets have led honest, productive lives. They are all around you and you don't even know it. I put a VIET NAM VET sticker on my motorcycle. I've gotten hand shakes, "HEY BROTHER!", "been there, done that, man!"...and some salutes. One guy's wife at church asked when I was there...turns out her husband, who I've known about 3 years was there when I was and we were not far from each other.
So, be suspicious when you see a BUM (no, I'm NOT PC) begging. He's probably out to scam the public.
If I've offended someone.....GO TELL IT TO THE MARINES (and if you don't understand that, YOU'RE A KID!)....so pound sand! I really don't give a rat's hind parts if I offended someone by telling the TRUTH.
NOTE TO PATTY L....NO. MOST VIET NAM VETS ARE NOT SCREWED UP! YOU'RE TALKING OUTTA YOUR HIND PARTS! Typical liberal 'social worker', bleeding heart know it all.
(USN, retired/in-country Viet Nam vet)

Michael W

there's no way to tell. if he was the appropriate age 55-70ish then yea he could be. you never know. many Nam vets had no one to come home to and many disabled ones couldn't get jobs

Fran J

some people could of had a great live for a while and something tragic happen and they became homeless not by choice. besides a dollar isnt gonna break you.

furmanator1957

he probably is but panhandling is a very good business if you have a good hook and a good location in our area i know a man makes 60k per year standing in front of walmart saying he will work for food but if you ask him to come help you he is always to busy

Too Old For Idol

Impossible for us to determine it here. Even if he was not, thank you. At least you were concerned about us. In answer to why are they on the streets, read this:

About one-third of the adult homeless population have served their country in the Armed Services. Current population estimates suggest that about 195,000 veterans (male and female) are homeless on any given night and perhaps twice as many experience homelessness at some point during the course of a year. Many other veterans are considered near homeless or at risk because of their poverty, lack of support from family and friends, and dismal living conditions in cheap hotels or in overcrowded or substandard housing.

Right now, the number of homeless male and female Vietnam era veterans is greater than the number of service persons who died during that war -- and a small number of Desert Storm veterans are also appearing in the homeless population. Atlthough many homeless veterans served in combat in Vietnam and suffer from PTSD, at this time, epidemiologic studies do not suggest that there is a causal connection between military service, service in Vietnam, or exposure to combat and homelessness among veterans. Family background, access to support from family and friends, and various personal characteristics (rather than military service) seem to be the stronger indicators of risk of homelessness.

Almost all homeless veterans are male (about three percent are women), the vast majority are single, and most come from poor, disadvantaged backgrounds. Homeless veterans tend to be older and more educated than homeless non-veterans. But similar to the general population of homeless adult males, about 45% of homeless veterans suffer from mental illness and (with considerable overlap) slightly more than 70% suffer from alcohol or other drug abuse problems. Roughly 56% are African American or Hispanic.

Barbara D

Does it really matter? You gave a dollar to someone who needs it,be happy.

drillsgtwife

A dollar? A homeless guy, no matter if he was a veteran or not, is still a living human being, and you give him a dollar? That in itself is disgraceful; but then to actually question him! Use common sense, first thing to notice when considering the validation of homelessness is how skinny the person is (the homeless tend not to eat regularly) but don't let that be your deciding factor, what if he was newly homeless? Then he might have an even harder time as he is not used to forgoing meals.
There are a lot of places for the homeless to turn to but when these places become full they are left to sleep under a bridge.
Thank god we have people that are willing to give up a coat for someone who is freezing. I do not know how anyone could walk past someone in a situation like that and not do something about it; even by buying them a coat at a thrift store.
Why there are any homeless Veterans living on the street mystifies me. It does not matter that they are homeless because of PTSD that is related to being a solider or because of another factor they are still a Veteran and should be given the best care and treatment that the country has to offer.

Michael M

I don't give to those "homeless" guys on the street anymore. If you're going to give your money for that cause (and I do) then give to an established charity or organization. That way you know the money is being spent for what you intended it for.

luteachris

Many Vietnam Vets are very messed up. First you must realize many of these guys were 18 yrs old fighting a war that Americans criticized and spit on them when they came home. They did not have the support of their countrymen. Secondly, some of the things they saw and had to endure were psychologically damaging. Children were strapped with bombs and sent up to a group of solders only to blow up. Napalm gas is only now being looked at as how severe it damages not only the central nervous system but the mind

l d

I think the statistics are clear. The chickenhawks stayed home and made money and got rich/powerful/etc., and many vets came back, had problems, turned to alcohol and drugs and what not. There are a lot of VN vets who are among the homeless.

Pay attention, you will see the same thing happen with bushi*'s war veterans too.

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