Pocono News Section

chuck mazzarella - Sunday, August 23, 2009 [12:16:15] EDT
I used to work for an area homeless program. I also am a veteran. From what I know, men and women are homeless for a variety of reasons, including choosing to be so. I asked a guy once why he lives in a constant state of homelessness; he was someone I would see at the shelter from time to time over the 2 and a half years I worked for the program. He stated to me, he likes the freedom and lack of responsibility.
Recently, I met up with him again, after 10 years. He was still choosing to be homeless but working to get an apartment. Good Luck with your Life change.

Mental Illness is also a cause of homelessness.

As a veteran of 2 tours of duty to Iraq,while I was the Mental Health specialist for my units, I talked to a lot of men and women of varying ages that would go out on missions mostly everyday. This could be the cause of a lot of stress: having been there, losing a friend to an IED(carbomb) or bullet. Even the foreignness of being in a different country, with different customs; far from the familiarity of home, friends, and family can take unknown tolls on you. The length of a tour of duty is long also.

As A result some of these veterans, whether serving in Viet Nam, The Gulf War, Bosnia, Iraq, or Afghanistan ETC..., may have some issues; as serious as a diagnosis of PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder). Stress can cause an irregularity in someone's Life. It is getting over the stresses of Life that is more important.

Help, however you can, men and women that come back or that are back from serving. Treat veterans, homeless or not with respect. Treat homeless men and women with respect. Maybe in someway, with some help from you or words of encouragement or providing knowledge of resources that can make a difference, a Vet will be able to find a place of their own. Try to make a difference in Life. Thanks.