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This property was reserved by Capt Happy
on
10th Mar 1999 I'm 53 years old, from
Tennessee, USA.
In my travels, I have run across many interesting sights. But none more compelling than the sight of a homeless man (woman and espically child), in this the land of plenty.(For the sake of brevity, I will use the male gender as this story unfolds. But know, always in the back of my mind, are the many women and children that have suffered the same fate). In 1983 in the big city of Houston,Texas, there were litterally hundreds of tents and cardboard box shelters set up under Houston's many overpasses housing the homeless. Who a week before were living the "good life". Thank God those days are gone...or are they? True the great ponderence of canvas and cardboard shelters in Houston are a thing of history, however there are still millions of homeless throughout the United States. Race, religion, former monitary status, mean nothing to a homeless person, only today matters. Only such thoughts such as, " where will I find something to eat (I need to find something for my kids to eat), where where will I find a safe place to sleep, who can I get to buy me a six pack of beer, or some drugs, or even a simple pack of smokes? These are the types of thoughts running through the head of the homeless. Are we to think that these people who once had a life, just as you do, don't notice all the stares, don't notice how people who walk out of their way to avoid even simple eye contact, or because of plain and (simple ?) revulsion? Do we think that the homeless do not know it has been many days or even weeks between showers and the laundry mat,not to mention a "decent" meal. How many of you have ever "dumpster dived" before? How many of you have picked up a lit cigarette butt off the ground, just to be able to try and satisify the need for a smoke? How many of you have "died" for a warm bed in winter. How many of you have slept on the ground as a dog would do? Even the dog has the benifit of extremely good hearing and sense of smell for danger. I dare say no one reading this, has experienced this.*
How did all of these millions get into such a state of affairs? Each will tell you that his case was unique. And that it wasn't his fault. In many case this is very true. However in many more cases they, the homeless, were completely responsisible for their individual circumsatances. Causes such as, drugs and alcohol, families torn apart by a raging husband, and lets not forget plain and simple laziness are all the common reasons that we all have heard so much about. But what about those that were thrown into homelessness by circumstances NOT of their own choosing? Reason number one, would be a catastrophic change in enviromental circumstances. Such as the sugar coated term, " downsizing" which is as we all know is another term for, "sorry buster, we want to make more money, not pay you what you are worth, ( or at all)." One day he has a home, a life, a way to try and keep his families heads above the water, only to find the next morning himself with nothing but a pile of unpaid bills, and no way on God's green earth of paying them off. Then we must consider deminished physical and mental capabilities as well. Both, espically deminished mental capacities, (which make up a perponderence of the homeless), can turn a wonderful life, into hell on earth litterally over night. What "was", is no longer, and without help from the masses, will never be again. It truly amazes me how many Americans, ignore the plight of, and the reasons why, and the need for helping the homeless. Only God's good fortune, keeps these same people from sharing the plight of those of whom they are so ignorant, be if forced ignorance, and emotional ingnorance. Ignorance is ignorance no matter the cause. But that is another story for another time.
Many have said that the homeless are nothing more than a bunch of "crazies". Could one be so dumb as to think that five million homeless are crazy? I would rather believe lazy than crazy. Let me discuss the mentally challenged. There is a problem I am more than familar with, spicifically depression. The cause of my depression is that my brain ( some would say I lack that organ), has stopped making Ceratonin (sp), which causes a chemical embalance in the brain, which in turn causes severe depression. I will not go into my particular case , as it would take a novella to fully explain the wherefore and whatnots of it. Suffice it to say, that one day I was a manager in training at a Krystals in Jacksonville,Florida, and doing my usual workaholic routine, when the next morning, my life changed forever. I take four powerful anti-depressiants twice a day, just to be able to face my little corner of the world. There are millions more like me in this country, many were/are lucky and got help. Many could not afford the help they so desperately needed and still need. Many of those same unlucky millions are homeless.
At the threat of this becoming a novella, I will end this story by saying, the next time you see a homeless man, woman or a child, please at least say hello! Make them feel if only briefly that they too are still a part of human race. And hey if you want to drop a buck on them, then by all means do so. And yes some will just use it to buy beer, or drugs, but the greatest majority will use that "whole" dollar to buy a bit of life, like a hamburger, a cup of coffee, and maybe if they feel frisky...a donut!!!
* I experienced the above...five years ago. When my brain stopped making the necessary chemicals needed to keep me (dare I say it), normal. But with pride I must say, I was very lucky. I never turned to drugs or alcohol during my four months in the "state" of homelessness. I have been under doctors care for the last five years, through the VA.
I would like to thank all those tireless doctors, nurses, social workers, and the hundreds of support personnel that helped me so much! With out their assistance and yes you the tax payers, I would still be roaming the streets of Tallahassee, Florida!
THANK YOU GI JOE!
" Where have our men served"? It would be easier
to list where they have not served.
During this century as in centuries past,
our GI Joe's,( both men and women ), have
distinguished themselves on the battle fields.
Upholding time honored traditions, showing us what
metal they were made of. From Kosovo to
Germany in WWI and WWII, our soliders,
sailors and airmen have held America
up for all to see.
However let it be remembered, that "we"
didn't do it alone. Our great friends
to the north,Canada as well as
England,Australia,France and on and on.
All helped us, and we them, to
accomplish what needed to be done. To
guarantee freedom for all who are willing
to fight for it.
So on May 30th, when you sit
down to the feast, say a little prayer
for thoses that gave a lot,
and to those that gave their all and just say thank you. Nothing more need be said.
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