I just came from the local 7-11. Walking to my car I noticed at the edge of the parking lot a quite elderly man holding a rough, well-used sign saying "HELP VET". He was over 80 by my guess. Somewhat shabbily dressed, he stood tall and erect by his vintage but very nicely maintained 30-foot (or so) RV, one of the old ones with a Ford or Chevy truck chassis and a cab over sleeping area. He wouldn't go near the entrance to the store. As I approached him with a dollar in my hand, he fairly exclaimed in gratitude before I was even near him. I also thanked him for his service, and his additional exclamation in gratitude for my gratitude almost broke my heart.
Maybe it's guilt. I was a conscientious objector during the Viet Nam War and worked for 2 years -- 2 and-a-half, actually -- in a non-profit enterprise as directed by the Selective Service System from 1969-1972. I was a reasonably active war protestor in the 60's and 70's. Ultimately most of the country was. The war only stopped when Congress stopped funding it due to continuous and insistent public outcry.
As the Viet Nam troops started coming home, I was in agreement with much of the country who avoided returning veterans and had little sympathy for them. Although that was certainly the mood of most of the war-weary country at that time, I deeply regret that avoidance now. Viet Nam was a 10-year politically-driven catastrophe that took the lives of 50,000 American service men and physically and psychically wounded God knows how many more, including broken families. Back then, they who fought our wars were drafted, they did not volunteer. An overwhelming number of them never got over the war, and 12-step substance abuse programs and homeless shelters are full of them. I've known more than a few.
The American armed service veteran gentleman tonight was not homeless only because he'd at some point managed to acquire a home on wheels. Still, he was begging in a 7-11 parking lot.
I was gratified to see several others approaching him as I drove away.
It is Easter in America in the year of our Lord 2015. American wealth is approximately 50 trillion dollars. Trillion with a T.
Millions of Americans who claim to be Christians -- who brag loudly about it -- continue to aid and abet and fund those who practice and legislate government policies that perpetuate progressively larger wealth inequality in the U.S. Most of those who know better what Christianity is really about continue to stand mute.
It's FUCKING UNCONSCIONABLE that any American, especially a veteran, has to beg for food.