by Jim Kalkofen, Stevensville
To: Senators Daines and Tester, Congressmen Rosendale and Zinke
Thinking for us Vietnam vets causes strange thoughts from time to time. Occasionally the brain cells wrap around a few bits of news and one thing leads to another.
That occurred today. I noticed that the US has committed $130 billion in aid and assistance to Ukraine. While I might not agree this is a worthwhile endeavor, my sympathy is on another sliver of news — the 33,000 US homeless veterans.
Looking at the numbers, with less than two percent of the amount for Ukraine, each homeless vet could have received $50,000 in aid for mental and PTSD relief. The estimate is that 80 percent of homeless vets suffer from these ailments.
Why not lend a hand to those who have served? Do something positive in their lives. Help them! What else could $50,000 do for them? Clothing? Temporary lodging? Haircut? Visit with family? Drug or alcohol treatment facility? Medical treatment? What ideas do you have about this serious problem?