Rolling Thunder thanks homeless vets

Sue Steadman, director of Rolling Thunder Chapter 3, serves Saturday during its holiday dinner. (Sarah Wright/Gazette)

Rolling Thunder thanks homeless vets
Chillicothe Gazette - Chillicothe,OH,USA
Group cooks up holiday meal for ninth year, provides gifts
By JONA ISON • Gazette Staff Writer • December 14, 2008

The local Rolling Thunder Chapter celebrated the holidays Saturday by showing appreciation for veterans who are homeless or living in group homes.

The group, which focuses on raising awareness about those listed as prisoners of war or missing in action, began conducting a holiday meal nine years ago because "so many of them are forgotten," said Melody Smallridge.

"It's rewarding," she added.

About one third -or 154,000 -homeless in the nation have served in the armed forces, according to estimates by the Department of Veterans Affairs. Robert Clifford Carte, 51, would be on the street if it weren't for a local group home, he said.

Carte was one of more than 100 area veterans served at Saturday's dinner. Although Carte technically served in the Air Force during peace time after the Vietnam War, he had problems assimilating back into society upon his return.
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