Conversations With Homeless Vets Introduction (BS??????)

SF Chronicle / SF Gate ^ | 10/14/03 | Amy Moon

[NFOShekky]

Living or working in San Francisco, you can't avoid the homeless. Near our office at Fifth and Mission, I walk past many homeless people every day, yet I never talk to them. And, whenever I read about them, it's about the homeless as an issue, not about individual human beings with unique lives.

[NFOShekky]

This is Part One of a series by this author. PLEASE check out the "stories" some of these "vets" have told in the following parts of the series (ongoing)! They sound like a lot of BS to me (going on 21 years and a wakeup in the USN), but I'd like to hear from some of the real Vietnam vets on this site with your opinions. I have contacted the author about whether she obtained their DD-214's but have not heard back yet. When posers start telling "Rambo" stories it pi**es me off as I have served with too many of the "real thing" and consider this an insult to them!!! If you think that this is sloppy journalism, I suggest that you e-mail the author and let her know.

[A Navy Vet]

Here's a flash for you. Some "homeless" Veterans are in need of assistance due to their horrific experiences and their inability to function in society. Other "homeless" Veterans fall into the category of hoboes and bums because they prefer to live outside the confines of society. The vast majority get out and get on with their lives. Other than those who physically or mentally can't, the rest CHOOSE to live their lives like many of the general population. Not all "homeless" people actually want a home. I know from experience.

[NFOShekky]

Yes there are homeless vets and yes, vets have been treated like cr*p by this country at times, i.e. the bonus marchers after WWI. That was not my point and homelessness is a whole other issue. The issue is posers, wannabees, and bums telling made up war stories. If you read the stories these "vets" tell, a lot of it sounds like bull IMHO.