VETRANS IN DISGUISE

Have you passed the man sitting on the streets, worn clothes and dirty face? No uniform to identify how they got this way? Mistaken for lazy, and maybe even crazy? The look in their eyes, if you took time might tell an interesting story... The alcohol on his breath to forget about the deaths or his own that was nearly lost. The blue lips and fingertips, no blankets or a cot. No shelter and no food impaired and forgot. The anxiety and fear, hallucinations that won't stop. The battlefields of war, homeless veterans living outdoors. They fight for our country, but their battle still remains. Their struggles just to make it, while they live day to day. Some physically disabled and mentally exhausted. If you speak to some you would assume that they nearly lost it Scared and confused while trauma takes its course Battered and bewildered, they give up their fight. No patience and many incapable of what it takes to survive. Standing in lines, applications to find... Interviews and employment overwhelming to their mind. They fought for this country, you will never truly know! They fought and survived, but did not escape, the life long battle that continues to grow. Some will die hungry. Some get too cold. Forgotten for all they have done. Their story goes untold. PTSD, and medications that they need, don't go hand in hand when living with disease. They gave up their life to fight for our country. Why should they be tossed away? What is wrong with our society? No man or woman with bravery and integrity, should live without a home. A soldier and survivor, comes home and ends up in the streets. His battle once won, still struggles Desperately.