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While I have found my trip to LA to be great the one thing I did notice was the vast amount of homeless on the street. Talking with our unofficial tour guide I found that he used to care for a man who lost both of his legs in Korea. It saddens me to know that this man put his life on the line and lost both legs, yet was left to fend for himself here in the country he was defending.

I have done some research, because I have even notice myself that a great number of homeless people are veterans, I have discovered that this is very true. The National Coalition for Homeless Veterans say that “VA estimates that 107,000 veterans are homeless on any given night. Over the course of a year, approximately twice that many experience homelessness. Only eight percent of the general population can claim veteran status, but nearly one-fifth of the homeless population are veterans.” They also say, “The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) states the nation’s homeless veterans are predominantly male, with roughly five percent being female. The majority of them are single; come from urban areas; and suffer from mental illness, alcohol and/or substance abuse, or co-occurring disorders. About one-third of the adult homeless population are veterans.About 1.5 million other veterans, meanwhile, are considered at risk of homelessness due to poverty, lack of support networks, and dismal living conditions in overcrowded or substandard housing.” (1)

Also I read from USA Today that, “Veterans make up one in four homeless people in the United States, though they are only 11% of the general adult population, according to a report to be released Thursday. And homelessness is not just a problem among middle-age and elderly veterans. Younger veterans from Iraq and Afghanistan are trickling into shelters and soup kitchens seeking services, treatment or help with finding a job.The Veterans Affairs Department has identified 1,500 homeless veterans from the current wars and says 400 of them have participated in its programs specifically targeting homelessness.The National Alliance to End Homelessness, a public education non-profit, based the findings of its report on numbers from Veterans Affairs and the Census Bureau. 2005 data estimated that 194,254 homeless people out of 744,313 on any given night were veterans.In comparison, the VA says that 20 years ago, the estimated number of veterans who were homeless on any given night was 250,000.” (2)

Last the National Coalition the Homeless even has input on this subject saying that, “Far too many veterans are homeless in America—between 130,000 and 200,000 on any given night—representing between one fourth and one-fifth of all homeless people. Three times that many veterans are struggling with excessive rent burdens and thus at increased risk of homelessness.
Further, there is concern about the future. Women veterans and those with disabilities including post traumatic stress disorder and traumatic brain injury are more likely to become homeless, and a higher percentage of veterans returning from the current conflicts in Afghanistan and Iraq have these characteristics.The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs estimates that 131,000 veterans are homeless on any given night. And approximately twice that many experience homelessness over the course of a year. Conservatively, one out of every three homeless men who is sleeping in a doorway, alley or box in our cities and rural communities has put on a uniform and served this country.” (3)

So now I find myself asking, why is it that so many men and women who served our country so bravely laying in the streets. Chances are that just about everyone knows someone who has served in the arm forces, or is currently serving. These people are sons, daughters, mothers, fathers, sisters, brothers, aunts, uncles, cousins, and grandparents as well, and chances are that one of these people you know will be homeless sleeping in a box on the street. They are not only are family and friends, but the protectors and defenders to everything we hold dear, SO why are we letting this tragedy happen right before our very eyes? We walk right past someone almost everyday who has put their life on the line for our country, and most act as though they are not even there.

I feel we should all ask our selves where would this country be if these men and women didn’t put their life on the line for our freedom. And I find myself to a very simple answer, “What freedom?” because without these veterans risking everything we would not have freedom. So maybe we should consider this the next time we pass one of them laying on the street homeless. Maybe we should start to do more to help them, because without them we might not even be here. And if we do not start to help them that will be our fate as a country, and then what will the real tragedy be then?

(1) National Coalition for Homeless Veterans http://www.nchv.org/background.cfm

(2) USA Today “Veterans make up 1 in 4 homeless” http://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/2007-11-07-homeless-veterans_N.htm

(3) National Coalition for the Homeless “Homeless Veterans” http://www.nationalhomeless.org/factsheets/veterans.html

R.I.P.

Dear Mrs. Smithson,

I suspect that you have been waiting a long time for a letter from these parts. It saddens me deeply that you are to receive a letter like this as your very first. I write to you with a strong sense of anger, pain, and regret.

As you can tell by my formal greeting I am not your son Timothy Smithson, I am merely a trench buddy who has found myself entangled in the warmth and cheer that was given to us by your son.

                Like many of the other soldiers that shared the disgusting, rat filled, living graveyard we temporarily called home, Tim very quickly realized that this war was more then anything imaginable.

                I remember the first day when Timothy was assigned to be in the front. I watched curiously over the heaping piles of dead bodies, and sandbags in the opposite direction of No Mans Land. Although this position was very dangerous, I always found myself attracted to the arrival of newly assigned soldiers. The look in their eyes that beamed as bright as the suns rays, and then the instant change of fear, horror, and disgust as they approach the front line. Tim’s reaction was of no exception although he tried to hide it.

                Most of the men that were in the front line were Canadians. The only British soldiers were three in number including myself. At this time we were trying to stop the Germans from gaining access to the English Channel. If they had access to this channel there was no telling how much damage they could do. So it was our duty to make sure this didn’t happen. There was no intelligent planning put into how this matter was to be dealt with. British officials just ordered their allies to go Over-the-top into No Mans Land, without knowing what was on the other side. Often times the Canadians were the first to go because in the eyes of the British “they were only Canadians.” But Tim to me has been a great example of what exactly the Canadian soldiers were. And he has proven to many other British soldiers how strong, proud, and devoted the Canadian soldiers were, despite the way they were treated by the British heads.

                Everyday Tim would share with us about his goals that he wanted to accomplish while he was here. He had wished to become one of the bravest soldiers in the war. “Yes, an honor so great the Queen herself would present it to me,” he would say with a courteous bow, and a pleasant smile.  He often joked about the state of the trench making it easier for everyone around him to cope with their surrounding. He was the life of the not so live party, but there was also a very seriousness about him. 

Tim was very respectful of the dead that surrounded us. In fact he made it a duty that everyone who had died was given a moment of silence. He believed that every man out there died for one thing, whether he said it or not and it was honor.

                I still remember the dreaded day that poor Tim fought his last battle. The Officials had ordered all the men in the front line to advance into No Mans Land, but there had to be a certain number. They must have thought that it was a lucky number, or something of that sort. They sent one of the officials to take back four men out of all the men in the front. Those four would wait until the next advance to go Over-the-top. The official quickly chose the three British soldiers that were there, and then he pointed to Tim as the last of the four excused men.  

                Tim’s eyes widen as a sudden burst of relief swept over his small, but muscular body, but it was almost instantly followed with a straight stone cold look. It was the same look that swept over his face when he saw the heaping piles of the dead soldiers’ corps. Then Tim did the unthinkable. “I can’t Sir. I must go and advance into No Mans Land, excuse one of the other men in my place.” Those were his words. And I pulled him to the side and tried to convince him to stay, but he simply said, “If I stay I’ll die, if I go I die with honor.” Then he went with his troops and advanced.

                I stayed and wept bitterly. I knew that Tim had to do what his heart told him to do, but what about all the other soldiers that had no choice. Tim did it not for himself, but he did it for them.

                Tim did not return after the advance, actually only two men did, but died hours later from fatal injuries. I didn’t see the way he died, but was told by others that the Germans attacked with a weapon they called a machine gun. They said Timothy was only about two meters away from the enemies trench but was shot repeatedly and died shortly afterwards.

                I took the liberty of finding out his address and ways to contact you, with news of your son. Although it might be disturbing at first, I thought it was very necessary for Tim have you know all the wonderful things he has done during his short, but meaningful life.

                Although Tim didn’t get the glorious award presented to him by the Queen, He died with Honor, and I know that’s exactly what he would have wanted.

My deepest regrets to you and your family,   

Reginald Justice

Which brings me to another thing in brief, there is never a time where we should never stop forgetting anyone that has served our country and/or lost their lives for our country.

 
On September 11, 2001 the Twin Towers were attacked and destroyed. The people that lost their lives during the attack and the people that are fighting the war in Iraq should always be remembered and never forgotten no matter what day it is.

We should also remember these days no matter what day it is:

• Memorial Day
• Veterans Day
• Labor Day

And all the other days that are holidays we do not pay much attention to.

I would just like everybody to remember all the days that we should remember dealing with our country.

After all we are a free country so we should show support to that, even if it is just a little.

I am lucky to live in Canada because Canadians don’t have to worry about getting shot. For example when the walk out the door they would not get shot, because there hasn’t been a war on Canadian soil, and I hope it stays that way. Canada is also known as the peacekeeping country. Canadian soldiers go to other countries to make peace.

Another thing that is important of Canada is the soldiers. Canadian soldiers should be respected a lot. They fight for our country, and to bring peace to us. They give up their lives just so we can live in peace. It’s just not their job to bring peace, or die in the war they do it for us. Canadian soldiers give up their lives for their loved ones, so their loved ones can stay and live in peace.

Canada is known for a peacekeeping country because Canada does not fight in wars. Canadian soldiers are part of wars, but they do not kill anyone that comes in their way. Canadian soldiers are sent to wars to bring peace they protect people that are not part of the wars. That’s why Canada is known for a peacekeeping and peace bringing country. Canadian soldiers are sent to many countries right now to bring peace and to protect others.

I am proud of my country. They bring peace to Canada and to other countries. We should al remember the soldiers that died and gave up their lives for us so that we can live in peace. That’s why Canada remembers the soldiers who did all this for us on one day which is known as “Remembrance Day”. Remembrance Day is celebrated every year on November 11. Remembrance Day is also known as “Veterans Day”. People wear poppies to remember the soldiers that fought for them.

I am proud to be a Canadian, and I respect all the people that fought, and gave up their lives for us, so that we can live in peace. That’s why all Canadians wear red poppies on Remembrance Day so that they can you that they respect al the people that fought for us.

Many people do this and they go unseen and no body considers them a hero. These people are and deserve to be considered hero as much as a person who goes into a fiery building to save some one.

One type of person that many people don’t think as a hero is Jesus. He was the Son of God and did not need to even care about humans or even think about them but he was willing to leave heaven and come to earth to be born as a human to help humans over come their sin. He did not need to do this but this action first of all shows that he cared about them and even though he did not need to do this, he did it showing that he was not a greedy, or self-centered God. After many years, he suffered more to help humanity. He taught for peace and living together for the success of both individuals and the society.

He was frowned upon, spit upon and hit as he was dragged through the streets of Jerusalem. He was flogged and blood flowed from him like water, all because he cared about humans and wanted them to have a higher purpose in life. He was thirsty but they gave him sour wine to make him wounds burn. He was tired but no one cared or helped him other than Simon the cross bearer.

He was at the end crucified after being poked by spears at his guts and sides to make sure he would truly die. This all happened to him because his message was simply love and peace. His determination and responsibility for the humans portrays him as a hero that cared about humans and people to have a better life and to have a better purpose in life other than worldly gains.

Any one could be a hero. It doesn’t have to some one religious or a person that serves the government to save lives. The old lady at your local park that feeds those birds can be a hero. She is willing to brave the weather and is willing to help those birds knowing that those birds cannot repay her through any material worth.

She does this by sacrificing her time and energy to see some one else or in this case those birds happy and free as they relinquish their hunger. This type of person also is a hero due to the fact that she is working toward the good or betterment of other creatures.

Heroes can also work toward the good of the community. The Director of Peniel Revival Ministries, Mr. Abraham Soman, shows that heroes can be very diverse. He helps out in India with many medical camps and programs that help people to become aware of the world around them and to live a good productive life.

He works with the government to provide free medical service and other charitable works. He helps the homeless to build houses by fund raising and donating money and getting them the right people to work with them. He also helps with any calamities that happens that requires others contributing to help the people in need.

For example in May 17, 1995, there was a major communal riot in which the Muslims and the Christians fought each other for days in a major city in southern Indian state called Kerala.

People died and over 300 houses were burned down with huge damage to the local fishing industry by burning all the boats and creating mass havoc. Peniel Revival Ministries sent aid in medical services, and worked with the district collector and the ministry of health to bring food, shelter and peace to the riot stricken land. Even though Mr. Abraham Soman does not get a profit from the works, he does it.

This is an essential part of humanity and what makes up each one of us, so in a way we are all heroes even though some people don’t speak about it or get famous because of it, humans do what they can to make some one or some creature other than themselves to feel better or to improve their condition. That is a true hero.