Nationally, as many as 250,000 veterans are among the homeless, and they have numerous problems, according to a county task force. Veterans are more likely to have health problems and disabilities, according to a report by the county Task Force on the Homeless. They have a higher rate of drug and alcohol abuse and suffer from more psychological problems, particularly post-traumatic stress syndrome. If they are treated early, success is possible, said Elizabeth Pinner, the San Diego coordinator of the Department of Veterans Affairs' Health Care for Homeless Veterans program. Veterans, through their military service, have known structure and discipline, which are needed to turn a life around, she said.
Veterans hatch idea Two veterans, over lunch, got the idea to start the burial program.
This was in St. Louis, only a year ago. One of the men was Joe Frank, a Vietnam veteran who came back a paraplegic, wounded when a land mine blew up. Frank went through his own hell, and he came out of it. He became active in the American Legion, rising at one point to national commander. Now this is one of his causes.