Written by: Sam Feldman on Feb 20, 2009 12:14 PM EST

What have you done for veterans?

One quarter of the homeless population in the United States are veterans.   More than a quarter of a million of us are sleeping on the cold streets.  With the myriad of hardships both Iraq and Afghanistan veterans will face, combined with today's deteriorating economic climate, there is no doubt this new generation of veterans will join the ranks of the Vietnam veteran MIA's (Missing in America) and disappear to back streets.

On November 17, 2008, Ernest Holman, a 67 year old homeless US Army veteran, was beaten to death in the streets of Miami. On December 26, 2008, Todd Hill, a 41 year old Gulf War Marine Corps veteran was also beaten to death while he slept on a bus bench on the streets of Miami.

As a result, on December 31, VFP Chapter 32 in Miami joined with Make a Wish Veterans, Inc. for the last act of 2008 and declared a ‘State of Emergency.’ County officials greeted over 70 veterans on the steps of County Hall on this warm, sunny day thereby initiating a campaign on behalf of our voiceless and distraught fellow veterans.

We were able to locate Todd Hill’s relatives and had his body shipped to Utah for burial. However, No one came forward to claim Ernest Holman’s remains and he languished in the morgue. As a result, VFP 32 and Make a Wish Veterans, Inc. asked the Medical Examiner to release the body to us so that we could conduct a real and respectful burial of a fellow veteran. We were unprepared for the Medical Examiner offering us the bodies of three other unclaimed veterans. One had been living in an Assisted Living Facility, the other two were homeless.

In following with the principles of "Never again shall one generation of veterans abandon another,” we agreed to hold a funeral with full honors on January 24^th for the four homeless and indigent veterans: Todd Hill, Ernest Holman, Nathaniel Henry Winger, Pedro Deaguero, and John Joseph Sweet. The Keynote Speaker at this ceremony, Congressman Kendrick Meek, addressed an audience that included several state and local officials present. He spoke of continuing hard times for this country’s veterans.

Short video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4JS4dO27_5A&feature=channel_page

The Veterans Administration determined these deceased veterans were eligible for a flag, a cemetery plot, and a grave marker.  In addition, they were eligible to receive a total of $250.00 to cover the cost of burial expenses.   Needless to say, we continue fundraising to cover the $10,000 costs for a respectful funeral.   

To follow up on the declaration of a ‘State of Emergency’ and to raise awareness that the VA does not cover the costs of a proper burials for veterans, whether indigent, homeless or otherwise, we held a rally with a flag draped casket on January 28^th across the street from the Miami Veterans Administration Medical Center.

Short Video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FxF3URw5HC0&feature=channel_page

Two days later we met with both the VAMC Administrator and Staff.  It was very apparent the rally had a strong impact and we were greeted with what felt like a reprimand.   We explained our purpose was to raise awareness of the policy limitations denying veterans the benefit on "real costs" associated with a burial and that our action was not an attack on the medical care currently provided.   We insisted the HUD vouchers they held be used immediately to assist needy veterans, get them out of harms way and off of the streets. 

Numerous meetings have been held with the Miami Dade County Homeless Trust Administration, County Commissioners, State representatives, the Mayor and City Manager of Miami, congressional representatives and Veterans Administration officials. We are also pressuring congressional representatives to act immediately by directing funding towards respecting our fellow veterans even in death. Perched from their ivory towers, they seem oblivious to the degradation of homelessness.

We have decided to postpone our next rally at the request of the Veterans Administration.  However, should action towards addressing homeless veterans not be immediate and transparent, VFP32 is prepared to continue rallying and call for larger demonstrations at the Va hospital.

 I would like to urge other veteran organizations to unite and hold similar demonstrations for our homeless veterans.  It is indeed a cause consistent with our Mission Statement in Veterans For Peace. We will continue to be relentless in our efforts to speak for our brothers in life and in death.  We will be here until the last veteran is heard.  Let it be known we will not go away.  We will not disappear into the dark back streets so no one has to see us.  Even in our death we are here.  We are here because our brothers and sisters are heroes. "Never again shall one generation of veterans' abandon another."

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