Down But Definitely Not Out: A Homeless Veteran's Story of Redemption
When I joined the army, I was just trying to get money for college so I could become a doctor as well as make a difference for our country.
My father urged me to become a doctor as 3 of my cousins were doctors and one of them was a cardiologist who saved my grandmother's life.
Eventually after I got my A.S. Degree in Science, I suddenly decided
I didn't want to become a doctor.
While I was pondering what I would do next with my life, I joined the army to get money for college tuition, but didn't really know what to do just yet.
When you go into the service, you know there is a great possibility of going into combat. I, as well as many other soldiers both seen and experienced what no other human being should.
People being shot, maimed and killed most the time for the wrong reason:
money, greed and power with the servicemen and women paying the ultimate price.
My best friend was shot in the head next to me. He was my spotter.
My spotter gave me precise directions on where to shoot.
I promised his wife I would bring him home. I did, but unfortunately it was in a wooden crate.
I was on the plane that brought him back and I remember asking the Colonel if I could inform my best friend's wife and he gave me permission to do so.
Still, to this day I relive this tragedy like a mental VHS tape that keeps playing over and over again.
I have Combat PTSD that was caused not only by this incident but several others that are also replaying in my mind on a constant basis.
This caused a domino effect on my well-being as well as my wife and kids at the time.
I wound up getting a divorce, moving back to Florida away from my kids which only made my situation worse because I was all alone and I missed my two daughters terribly.
I started drinking heavily because of this devastating loss.
The drinking got so bad I was unable to function in society and wound up homeless for three years before I received my first retirement check and the emotional/medical help I so desperately needed.
It took so long to receive my retirement money because the army wanted to process me out as a medical discharge but I told them I didn't want this because I felt I was too young for a medical discharge which was a big mistake on my part.
After I finally received my retirement pay I was able to pay rent and live again but most importantly, began treatment for Combat PTSD.
I didn't know this at the time I was homeless, but the Veteran's Administration has set up a Veterans' Crisis Line for any veteran who needs emotional and other help.
During my time as a homeless veteran I implemented what survival skills I had learned in the military to survive.
In basic military training we are taught to adapt to any environment, so being homeless was much like being in the trenches in a combat situation.
Just a different war. The war of homelessness.
Most homeless people are United States Service members.
Not surprising considering what Combat PTSD does to a person.
Before I got my retirement pay, I remember congregating under a huge pine tree with a bunch of other homeless people to seek shelter from the sweltering heat as well as any storm that hit.
This tree made us feel safe for a change.
If anyone needed to find us it was known that we would be at "The Tree".
I also remember taking odd jobs where I could find them to scrape by.
I also remember saying to myself every day:
"You're going to get out of this".
It took three years but eventually, I did.
I took any help my friends could give me even though it was hard to accept because I was used to being the bread winner.
My friend Mark took me in until I was able to get a place of my own.
Finally I got my own apartment and was on the path back to a normal life.
Being homeless taught me the importance of my military training so I could survive.
I was able to survive on my own for nearly three years.
I ate every day because I would take small jobs where I could.
I ate sub sandwiches every day.
I could even buy a pack of smokes as well as a 4 pack of beer.
I would bring my food to an abandoned trailer and sit cross-legged on the floor and eat.
Those were the days... but I am glad I survived them.
Since getting my retirement, I was able to start my life over again.
Eventually I met and married my sweetheart Rev. Sue and life has been great.
I even help those who are now homeless by sharing the things I did to survive as well as provide valuable resources.
I knew I went through this experience so that I may help others.
I had developed compassion as well as conviction.
My motto has always been "never give up".
I never gave up and I never will.
My wish is for anyone reading this, homeless veterans and non-veterans too,
stay strong and never give up.
Much Love,
Rev. Dave
