Homeless vets get help with their problems at Orlando Stand Down

Last year I was in Buffalo when they held the Stand Down. My husband went with the DAV to help out. After he told me about all they had going on, I wondered why there was so little coverage on the news. It sounded wonderful! So many volunteers showing up to help veterans otherwise forgotten and avoided. Anyway, I showed up yesterday with camera in hand to get some of it on tape. The problem was, I was told I couldn't film or even take pictures. This reporter was there doing an interview and she told me the photographer would have plenty of pictures for me see.

As you can see, no pictures. At least the Sentinel reported on it. I checked News 13 site and there was nothing. Channel 2 didn't have anything. None of the others had anything. What's really bothering me right now is that when our veterans commit crimes, they are all swarming around to report on it. When one of them is in need and being helped out by volunteers because they care, no one seems interested.

So, to the Sentinel, thank you for reporting on this and to the volunteers, thank you for caring. To the others, this is why I hardly ever watch the news anymore.

Homeless vets get help with their problems

By Eloísa Ruano González, Orlando Sentinel
6:53 p.m. EDT, September 24, 2011

U.S. Navy veteran Bill Kirwin needs a computer to search for a job and turn his life around, but he needs a library card to access the Internet at the Orlando Public Library. And to receive a free library card, he needed an identification card.

Kirwin finally received a state-issued I.D. at the Veterans Stand Down event held Saturday in Orlando. He was among the hundreds of homeless veterans who showed up for free haircuts, food and bags filled with hygiene products, clothing and a sleeping bag.

"When you're out on the street, transportation is a problem. Here, [the services] are all right here," said 37-year-old Kirwin, who will be entering a six-month residential treatment program to deal with the alcohol problem he developed while in the Navy.

The event, held at the Orlando Downtown Recreation Complex, also gave homeless vets an opportunity to sign up for transitional housing, food assistance, drug treatment programs and other services.

"It's our obligation to take care of them [veterans]," said Tim Liezert, director of the Orlando VA Medical Center. He watched as the veterans made their way through the maze of tables inside the recreation center. The veterans were allowed to use the showers at the facility.
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