A Veteran’s plight on the streets as the bustling city streets hum with life, a lone figure stands on the corner, holding a weathered sign that reads: “Help – Veteran – Homeless.” This individual, once a brave defender of the nation, now finds themselves in a desperate situation, seeking assistance that seems to elude them at every turn. Despite their plea for aid, the world around them remains indifferent, and worse, some passersby choose to mock rather than offer support.
“inCity Magazine celebrates the kaleidoscope of perspectives in each article. The views expressed herein are the unique brushstrokes of our guest writers, painting the canvas of their thoughts. These ideas, like stars in a constellation, shine independently and do not necessarily align with the orbit of inCity Magazine or its advertisers. This is to explores…
My own problems highlight the struggles that many veterans face in accessing the benefits and support they are entitled to after their service to their country. Bureaucratic obstacles, legal disputes, and financial challenges can all stand in the way of veterans like me as they seek to build a stable and secure future for themselves and their families. It is essential that we as a society of people can recognize and address these barriers, ensuring that those who have served our country receive the care and support they need and deserve. By standing together and advocating for change, we can help veterans like me overcome the hurdles in their path and build a brighter tomorrow for themselves and their communities. So many think we veterans don’t try or care, but there are factors that stand in the way, and this leads to suicide, and self-harm. These leads people away from us to discard and to kick aside because people have their own life to live. A life they plan for and deserve, but no room for taking on a veteran who deserves help and love.
The plight of homeless veterans is a harsh reality that often goes unnoticed in the midst of our daily lives, some e.g.: are child support, self-medicating, A career /job that they feel like a member of. A veteran who faces hurdles in accessing his benefits due to court and bank holds, as well as unresolved financial issues. These individuals, who have sacrificed their own well-being to serve their country, now face the harsh reality of homelessness, grappling with the challenges of finding shelter, food, and basic necessities on a daily basis. The struggles they endure are not just physical but also emotional, as they navigate the complexities of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and other mental health issues resulting from their time in service.
I discovered that my bank accounts had been frozen due to a legal dispute. This unexpected hold on my accounts has left me struggling to make ends meet, unable to access the funds I need to support myself and my family. In addition to the bank hold, I also face challenges in accessing my veteran benefits due to unresolved court issues. A clerical error in my paperwork has led to a delay in processing my benefits, leaving me in limbo as I wait for the necessary approvals to come through. Without the financial support and healthcare services that my benefits provide, my physical and mental well-being are at risk, compounding the challenges I already face in my daily life. I will never express my pain and that comes from training like so many of us, but I am willing to talk about my struggles that is why I sought out and was fortunate enough to be able to get to a therapist. I do believe we can never stop fighting and learning about our corrupted thought patterns.
When you see me and my brothers and sisters standing on the street corner, holding a sign for help, the veteran’s presence is a stark reminder of the failings of our society to care for those who have served. Instead of compassion and support, we are met with indifference and ridicule from some members of the public. The cruel taunts and mocking gestures directed at us serve only to deepen the wounds we already carry, further isolating me and others from a society that they once fought to protect.
It is crucial for society to recognize the humanity and the struggles of homeless veterans. These individuals are not faceless statistics or mere inconveniences on your daily commute; We are human beings with stories, dreams, and a deep need for compassion and understanding. Rather than turning a blind eye or making hurtful remarks, you could extend a hand of support and empathy to those who have sacrificed so much for you. I know that many say there are programs and projects, but in a city where there is not enough room for the faceless and the forgotten unless it is memorial day or veterans day where people think of picnic and vacation and sales then they think of the veteran who does not have a home, or can not get their benefits, or the barriers of the court system.
As you pass by the veteran holding a sign for help on the street corner, take a moment, not to judge or mock, but to acknowledge their humanity and extend a hand of compassion. Try to see beyond the surface and recognize the person beneath the worn clothes and weathered sign—a person deserving of dignity, respect, and a chance for a better future. The invisible cry for help of a homeless veteran standing on the street corner is a poignant reminder of the urgent need for you the people to come together as a society and support those who have bravely served this country. Let us not be bystanders to their struggles but instead be agents of change, offering hope, support, and a path towards a brighter tomorrow.
As far as me Paul W Dyer, I am he and you, I will continue to, through my suffering, grow, learn, and teach. One day I too will have a life among you that is filled with love, compassion, and forgiveness, but until then I am holding my sign up saying please help.
Written by: Dr. Paul W Dyer, The Veteran