Interesting Census Stats and "Been There" Wanabees:1,713,823 of those who served in Vietnam were still alive as of August, 1995 (census figures).
~ During that same Census count, the number of Americans falsely claiming to have served in-country was: 9,492,958.
~ As of the current Census taken during August, 2000, the surviving U.S. Vietnam Veteran population estimate is: 1,002,511. This is hard to believe, losing nearly 711,000 between '95 and '00. That's 390 per day.
During this Census count, the number of Americans falsely claiming to have served in-country is: 13,853,027. By this census, FOUR OUT OF FIVE WHO CLAIM TO BE Vietnam vets are not.
The Department of Defense Vietnam War Service Index officially provided by The War Library originally reported with errors that 2,709,918 U.S. military personnel as having served in-country. Corrections and confirmations to this errored index resulted in the addition of 358 U.S. military personnel confirmed to have served in Vietnam but not originally listed by the Department of Defense. (All names are currently on file and accessible 24/7/365).
and the numbers keep growing....
Here is Tomorrows OP Ed Guidance http://www.naeh.org/content/article/detail/1819
SAMPLE OP-ED – NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION UNTIL NOVEMBER 8, 2007
Please feel free to use these exact words or edit as you see fit.
In [your city] today, [insert one paragraph personal story that illustrates a veteran’s day to day struggle with homelessness and getting off of the streets and into permanent housing.]
[Mr./Mrs.] [name] situation is not an isolated story. The National Alliance to End Homelessness has just released a report entitled Vital Mission: Ending Homelessness Among Veterans. The report shows that in [your state] alone, there are currently [number] veterans experiencing homelessness.
And the problem is widespread. Nationwide, a shocking 195,827 veterans slept on the street, in shelter, or in transitional housing on any given night in 2006 and 495,400 were homeless over the course of the year, a number which represents a disproportionately large representation of veterans (approximately one-fourth) who contribute to the total homeless population in general.
The solution to ending homelessness among veterans is not a social enigma. Homeless veterans need the same things as all homeless people - access to affordable housing and, for those who are suffering from posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), anxiety, and depression – social supports. As a nation, we certainly do not lack the knowledge to end homelessness among veterans. The answers are mapped out in both research and common sense.
Good God. How frickking sad is that. Pathetic POS people who feel the need to have to impersonate a vet.