[img]2995|right|Chris Kyle||no_popup[/img]On this afternoon’s second anniversary of the murder of an authentic American military hero, Chris Kyle, the homeless of Culver City and Los Angeles County are being tabulated.
Deborah Wallace, a member of the Culver City Homeless Committee who helped count bodies last week, said today she was taken aback by how many veterans are living on the street.
“There is a goal for ending homelessness this year for veterans,” she said. “But I am surprised by the number of veterans.
“Last month, there was a veteran living at the Raintree Plaza Ralphs. He was 60 years old, which meant he was a Vietnam War veteran.
“Right before Christmas, the organization U.S. Vets (usvetsinc.org) was able to help him.
“He finally said to me he was ready to get off the streets,” Ms. Wallace said. “His VA pension apparently was not enough to afford rent.
“He looked terrible, terribly thin, after living on the streets. “So U.S. Vets of Inglewood, an organization run by Gregory Peck’s son, picked him up, his bike and all of his belongings,” Ms. Wallace recalled. “They took him away to be tested for TB so he can live in housing and get healthcare. I thought that was wonderful.”
Ms. Wallace’s travels take her all about the community.
Downtown in Media Park, she made another unfortunate discovery.
“Then I encountered a young veteran who was 24 years old. He had been in the Army for six years.”
Ms. Wallace’s voice dropped almost to a whisper. “I did smell alcohol on his breath,” she said, “and he is so young.”
She hoped to build on her success and convince him to return to a traditional, and safer, lifestyle.
No sale.
The veteran told Ms. Wallace “I am not ready yet.”
She could only shake her head in a measure of frustration.
“Who knows what these veterans have seen? she asked rhetorically.
“These men are killing themselves.”
(To be continued)
