B
balanco01@yahoo.com
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http://dc.indymedia.org/newswire/display/138402/index.php;
The District is currently home to over 2,400 homeless veterans. As a
long term resident of Franklin Shelter I shared a dorm with a number
of them who continue to live in conditions that mirror or surpass
those of the now notorious military hospital's outpatient residence.
Black mold covers the ceiling and walls of the shower rooms and raw
sewage drips down upon the heads of those attempting to utilize the
toilets on the first floor.
Over the last few weeks I've heard a great number of news stories
describing the deplorable conditions that veterans of the war in Iraq
have had to endure while being treated at Walter Reed medical center,
including mold, rats, roaches, and substandard medical care. While
most of the nation found these revelations shocking, for me it was
simply deja vu.
The District is currently home to over 2,400 homeless veterans. As a
long term resident of Franklin Shelter I shared a dorm with a number
of them who continue to live in conditions that mirror or surpass
those of the now notorious military hospital's outpatient residence.
Black mold covers the ceiling and walls of the shower rooms and raw
sewage drips down upon the heads of those attempting to utilize the
toilets on the first floor. Rats, roaches, lice, and bedbugs run
rampant in the facility, making life intolerable for residents. Water
damage continues to deteriorate the structure as the District drags
its feet on long-promised renovations.
Click on image for a larger version
210447671_cbff25d124.jpg
Ed, one of DC's homeless vets as photographed by blogger Michael
Brooks
As for medical care, according to a study by the Johns Hopkins Medical
Center homeless veterans are more likely to have both chronic physical
and mental health conditions than the general homeless population, but
nearly half rely solely on the medical services provided at shelters,
which usually means standing in line to receive less than
comprehensive treatment from the back of a van.
One of my friends, a ten year veteran of the US Navy, told me that at
the Southeast Veterans Service Center there are already homeless
veterans filing in from the current war in Iraq. As we begin to re-
evaluate our commitment to the men and women who have fought under the
banner of the American flag on the other side of the world we must not
forget those who continue to suffer, unacknowledged, right under our
noses.
The District is currently home to over 2,400 homeless veterans. As a
long term resident of Franklin Shelter I shared a dorm with a number
of them who continue to live in conditions that mirror or surpass
those of the now notorious military hospital's outpatient residence.
Black mold covers the ceiling and walls of the shower rooms and raw
sewage drips down upon the heads of those attempting to utilize the
toilets on the first floor.
Over the last few weeks I've heard a great number of news stories
describing the deplorable conditions that veterans of the war in Iraq
have had to endure while being treated at Walter Reed medical center,
including mold, rats, roaches, and substandard medical care. While
most of the nation found these revelations shocking, for me it was
simply deja vu.
The District is currently home to over 2,400 homeless veterans. As a
long term resident of Franklin Shelter I shared a dorm with a number
of them who continue to live in conditions that mirror or surpass
those of the now notorious military hospital's outpatient residence.
Black mold covers the ceiling and walls of the shower rooms and raw
sewage drips down upon the heads of those attempting to utilize the
toilets on the first floor. Rats, roaches, lice, and bedbugs run
rampant in the facility, making life intolerable for residents. Water
damage continues to deteriorate the structure as the District drags
its feet on long-promised renovations.
Click on image for a larger version
210447671_cbff25d124.jpg
Ed, one of DC's homeless vets as photographed by blogger Michael
Brooks
As for medical care, according to a study by the Johns Hopkins Medical
Center homeless veterans are more likely to have both chronic physical
and mental health conditions than the general homeless population, but
nearly half rely solely on the medical services provided at shelters,
which usually means standing in line to receive less than
comprehensive treatment from the back of a van.
One of my friends, a ten year veteran of the US Navy, told me that at
the Southeast Veterans Service Center there are already homeless
veterans filing in from the current war in Iraq. As we begin to re-
evaluate our commitment to the men and women who have fought under the
banner of the American flag on the other side of the world we must not
forget those who continue to suffer, unacknowledged, right under our
noses.