Shelter for homeless veterans shuts down

Shelter for homeless veterans shuts down
Wednesday, December 14, 2011

Vic Lee
News Team

MENLO PARK, Calif. (KGO) -- A highly-successful program on the Peninsula is shutting its doors after helping thousands of down and out veterans over the past decade.

Wednesday was a busy day and an emotional one for the residents of the Homeless Veterans Emergency Facility. Most of them have left, but 13 veterans remain and they will be bused to other shelters on Thursday.

For many of them, the closure of the center felt like the breakup of a very close-knit family.

It will be anything but a happy holiday for the 150 veterans who are being forced to leave what they call their home. Norma Gabut, who served in the Air Force during the Vietnam War, was one of them.

"Coming over here was like a family, you know?" Gabut said. "I'm sorry if I tear up, but it's true. Most Vietnam veterans were never welcomed home, and this place welcomed us back with open arms."

In its 11 year history, 7,000 people have passed through the doors of the Homeless Veterans Emergency Facility in Menlo Park. The veterans rebuilt their lives, escaped from addiction and found jobs.
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