Homeless Iraqi veterans : When I came home

Director’s note: When I Came Home is a documentary which follows the lives and struggles of several homeless veterans, including those who have recently returned home from the war in Iraq. The film examines the factors which led over 150,000 Vietnam veterans from the battlefield to the street and asks the question: Will what happened to Vietnam veterans happen to a new generation of soldiers? The film also focuses on the veteran-led movement which is fighting to end this national disgrace.

When I Came Home is a work-in-progress. Follow the making of the film on director Dan Lohaus’ GNN blog.

This is a national crime. We send our young people off to war with much ballyhoo....and then some of them return to nothing...and are homeless on the streets...The clips from the documentary made me cry. They deserve better than this from our country. I am ashamed.

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This entry has 5 comments: (Add your own)

#5 Comment from mutualaide
4/26/05 6:47 AM | Permalink

Oh, this was a great link to provide. I clicked and watched the rough takes. Interesting and powerful. And shameful. On a recent run into Boston I was sitting in heavy traffic at a large rotary/intersetion/worst nightmare for driving sort of place...after 20 mins of stop and go, stop and go I finally arrived at the intersection itself. There stood a Vietnam Vet with his little cardboard sign. My husband asked, 'should we give him a few dollars?' My normal response would be no, but for some reason I said, 'yes'. He came to my window and I passed a few bills to him and quite a few minutes chatting with him. What struck me as we drove away was my surprize that he was sober, cleared eyed and very nice. A lesson re-learned: you cannot judge a book by its cover.
#4 Comment from wallydancingdog
4/25/05 7:43 AM | Permalink

denver has a large population of homeless. well represented by the korean / vietnam wars/conflicts , desrt storm,and now the iraq war is dispelling its few onto the american streets that they gave so much up for. i know this doesn't cure the problems they face, but i am the lady who will make the people wait behind her so she can hand a cup of coffee to the guy panhandling on the corner. they genuinely appreciate that tiny gesture. i usually hand out about 10/15 dollars a week in change. it does not cure this problem, but at least someone was able to have micky d's burger and fries that day. or if they want a beer= it is their cash. they can spend it however they want.
wally in colorado
#3 Comment from wildflower1764
4/24/05 9:54 PM | Permalink

It's a true shame.
#2 Comment from thesheatons
4/24/05 11:14 AM | Permalink

Add to it the joy someone still in the field must feel when the family lets them know that the bank is trying to repossess the house or a newly disabled vet is returned stateside and gets billed because the last paycheck or three included extra pay for being in combat. No combat, no extra pay and now they want their money back. NLOL

Jackie
#1 Comment from my78novata
4/24/05 9:23 AM | Permalink

Yes very sad indeed. OUr veterans hospitals are sad too. My dad is a vet and his treatment is less than a dog or crimnal gets.

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Homeless Iraqi veterans : When I came home