How do we keep Lincoln’s promise to our veterans and their families? “Land of the free and home of the brave.” This very line in our National Anthem describes our sought after relationship with our veterans. Ever since the Civil War, veterans have been praised for their heroism. We tend to forget, however, the true reality of coming home from a war. Veterans are without a doubt heroes, but they are also victims. War has done great damage to our soldiers. PTSD, amputation, depression, loss, and wounds to the body and heart haunt our veterans forever. A normal life for veterans after a war is difficult. Homelessness, lack of jobs, and lack of healthcare for our veterans prevent them from the life they deserve. Keeping Lincoln’s promise for all veterans has been difficult.
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America’s homeless veterans have served in World War II, the Korean war, Vietnam war, Afghanistan, Iraq and many more. Homeless veterans are usually displaced with lingering Post Traumatic Stress Disorder effects and substance abuse, along with a lack of family and social support. About one third of the adult homeless population have served their country in the Armed Services. Veterans without proper support lack affordable and available housing, livable income and health care. Secondly, lack of healthcare for veterans has become an increasingly urgent issue in recent times. Among the 1.8 million uninsured veterans, 12.7 percent are under the age of 65. Over one million of these veterans do not have access to veterans’ hospitals. Many of these veterans were part of working families that earned too much to qualify for Medicaid or Veterans Administration care, yet earned too little to afford private coverage. Within the uninsured veterans, 26.5 percent claimed they couldn’t get medical care because of costs. Veterans deserve a right to health care, like all
America’s homeless veterans have served in World War II, the Korean war, Vietnam war, Afghanistan, Iraq and many more. Homeless veterans are usually displaced with lingering Post Traumatic Stress Disorder effects and substance abuse, along with a lack of family and social support. About one third of the adult homeless population have served their country in the Armed Services. Veterans without proper support lack affordable and available housing, livable income and health care. Secondly, lack of healthcare for veterans has become an increasingly urgent issue in recent times. Among the 1.8 million uninsured veterans, 12.7 percent are under the age of 65. Over one million of these veterans do not have access to veterans’ hospitals. Many of these veterans were part of working families that earned too much to qualify for Medicaid or Veterans Administration care, yet earned too little to afford private coverage. Within the uninsured veterans, 26.5 percent claimed they couldn’t get medical care because of costs. Veterans deserve a right to health care, like all