Old Buddy is a Veteran - Needs Help & Advice

[McKnife]

This is a long, difficult and confusing story but I am in need of advice to help a veteran soldier.

I met a kind, quiet gentleman last year and we talk every now and then about guns and politics. I plan on taking him the shooting range when I find a decent 1911!!! He has told me some stories about his past experiences in the military and they are very gruesome. Needless to say, this man has served his country well.

This man is in BAD shape. He is practically homeless, broke and is “not all there” but he is very respectful and has excellent manners. He has told me pieces about his past and I want to do everything I can to help him out.

From what I understand, he was medically discharged back in 1979 for a something so severe, he was put under the care of his mother because he was not expected to survive. His mother received monthly disability payments from the military for his injuries sustained to maintain the surgeries and hospice care. However, his mother suddenly died several months after his discharge, and her bank account was frozen. The bank notified all of her account’s depositors that she had died, so the disability payments stopped because they figured he was dead.

Believe it or not, this man is alive today. He’s a FIGHTER. He’s loud and proud with his voice and spirit. But, his legs look like they went through a meat-grinder. He frequents free clinics where they are wanting to amputate his toes. They are black. He can barely walk. When I asked why he doesn’t have better living conditions, he says he has no money and can’t get around very well. – I inquired about his current military disability payments and he replied with “They think I’m dead.”

If this man hasn’t received his disability payments since late ’79, he should have a nice pile of money to afford shelter, a vehicle and steady groceries, maybe more. I told him I would like to help figure it out.

So, what… or WHO would y’all recommend I contact to check the status and legitimacy of this man. Like I said, he’s in bad shape. Regardless, I’ll continue to help this man, but I can only go so far.

If you would prefer, please PM me any details or suggestions. Thank you in advance.

[steve817]

Not having been in the military myself, I don't know how good my advice is. I would start by contacting the Dept of veterans affairs. Letters to the congressman / woman in your district and senator wouldn't hurt either.

[Texas Dan Mosby]

Contact the V.A.

In order to get assistance, he will need to provide the official documents necessary to prove honorable service, and documentation for any service related injuries. If he doesn't have this documentation, the V.A. should be able to provide information about the proper agency to contact in order to get copies.

[Hoi Polloi]

The VA can also assign him an advocate who knows the system and can help him navigate it.

[McKnife]

Contact the V.A.

In order to get assistance, he will need to provide the official documents necessary to prove honorable service, and documentation for any service related injuries. If he doesn't have this documentation, the V.A. should be able to provide information about the proper agency to contact in order to get copies.

I will try this Monday. I don't think he has any documents among his few possesions but his memory is sharp.

Thank you for everyone's help so far.

[baldeagle]

I'm probably going to get shouted off the forum for saying this, but I would be careful. Many people claim to be veterans who are not, because they know how special Americans treat their veterans. In order for him to get his VA benefits, he will have to prove that he's a veteran. You can contact the VA online and get a copy of his DD-214, which will prove that he's what and who he says he is.

Your request must contain certain basic information for us to locate your service records. This information includes:

* The veteran's complete name used while in service
* Service number
* Social security number
* Branch of service
* Dates of service
* Date and place of birth (especially if the service number is not known).
* If you suspect your records may have been involved in the 1973 fire, also include:
o Place of discharge
o Last unit of assignment
o Place of entry into the service, if known.
* All requests must be signed and dated by the veteran or next-of-kin.

I guess I've become cynical, because so many people claim to be veterans or are veterans but claim to have done things in the service that they have not. (Tom Harkin, for example.) If you read BG Burkett's Stolen Valor you'll never take someone's claims of veteran status or medals awarded at face value again, if they are trying to get something from you (money, attention, praise, etc.) by making the claim.

This guy could be legit. If he is, he deserves all the help we can give him. But he could also be a complete fraud. Trust, but verify. You'll be glad you did. (And to answer the obvious question, yes, I'm a veteran. US Navy '68 - '74, and no, I did not serve in Vietnam.)

[maxlib]

Every one has given good advice so far. I am a new member and a 20 year Navy retiree, retired last July.

In the mid 90's I was recruiting out of Baybrook mall in Houston, and spent lots of my 84 hours OFF each week in Galveston due to a girlfriend.

I met a guy down there that was much the same as the guy you are describing, he gave me enough info I was able to find out that he was already cleared for treatment from the VA hospital in Houston, but as hard as I looked I could never find him again.

I'm proud of you for wanting to help, but like some others have said......

[Texas Dan Mosby]

I guess I've become cynical

Not at all.

Realistic, yes. Cynical, no.

[NOS]

I guess I've become cynical

Not at all.

Realistic, yes. Cynical, no.

[TxRVer]

The VA has an initiative to help homeless vets. He'll need to get to the closest VA hospital. It may not be easy to cut through the red tape if the records say he's dead. If that's the case, he might be able to get help from the VFW or his congressman.

Being homeless will make it more difficult to come up with the paperwork, but if he at least has some ID the VA can look up his DD214.

I hope this isn't a bogus claim, but if not, it's sad that he has fallen by the wayside all these years and not gotten the help he deserves.

[TxRVer]

Just saw a story on the NBC news about foster care for veterans. Here's the video.

http://www.nbcdfw.com/station/as-seen-o ... Worth.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[baldeagle]

Just saw a story on the NBC news about foster care for veterans. Here's the video.

http://www.nbcdfw.com/station/as-seen-o ... Worth.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Thanks for sharing that. It touched my heart. It's good to see the VA trying to find alternative ways of caring for older, disabled vets. In my opinion, this country should spare no expense in caring for vets who really need it. They gave their all to this country. Many of them have seen the awfulness of war and experienced the sudden loss of many friends. They deserve our gratitude and our care until the day they die.