The Price of Freedom – News Flash, It Isn’t Free

Freedom isn’t free, someone always pays. Here are some veteran facts to consider from the National Coalition for Homeless Veterans:

1 out of every 4 homeless men (or 33%) in the United States is a veteran.

There are anywhere from 529,000 to 840,000 veterans who are homeless at some time during the year.

47% of homeless veterans are from the Vietnam era, 15% are from the pre-Vietnam era and the remainer are from the post-Vietnam era including such conflicts as Granada, Panama, Lebanon, the Gulf War, the military’s anti-drug efforts in South America and the current Iraq War.

67% served 3 years or more.

89% received honorable discharges.

76% experience alcohol, drug, or mental health problems.

Pretty unbelievable. It is clear, for those who serve, freedom isn’t free. War can tear you up, turn you inside out, and leave you a shell of a human being. If someone isn’t there to help you clean up the mess, the mess doesn’t get cleaned up. If you know a vet, reach out to him and say thanks for serving. Make yourself available if they need a helping hand or a shoulder to cry on. Freedom isn’t free, don’t take yours for granted.