100% disabled single and widowed Veterans cannot have a home of their own!

John Deeds ^ | Friday, June 15, 2007 | John Deeds

[John Deeds]

"There is no mountain too high for me NOT to at least try to overcome to help my fellow Veterans in such similar situations as to have their pride restored in having their own homes. There has to be a way, Sir. There has to be a program worth creating . . ."

[John Deeds]

* Copies of the below letter was sent to Congress members, Senate members and President Bush. It was also posted to several National newspapers' Editors as 'an open letter.' I didn't think that Mr. Patterson would mind. ;-)

Jerry Patterson, Commissioner, Texas Veterans Land Board Commissioner Patterson, Sir:

I regret that recent serious health problems prevented me from attending your 'Benefits Fair' held in Fort Worth this past June 9, 2007, along with your fellow Commissioner, The Honorable John A. Brieden of the Texas Veterans Commission.

Had I been able to attend, I was going to ask some friends in the media to get me backstage to hopefully speak with you in-person about this grave situation: many of us 100% disabled Veterans who are alone, yet of some worth to ourselves and to others for reasons expressed below, although the main reason for contacting you, is that we are forced into living with relatives and or with our friends, because our monthly benefits are not enough to secure for ourselves, our own place in which to live.

There are so very many others who find themselves in this most difficult of situations life has destined us to live in, apart from most other Veterans; we are a slim minority, although worthy, nevertheless.

I am speaking of we Veterans who are considered technically, 100% disabled and unable to work, although, if myself and other such Veterans had access to a home computer; we just might be able to seek some form of work on the Internet. I certainly feel that I could do this, if I had a decent computer (I have a donated computer that is ten years old now--and a dinosaur), which would allow me to hopefully get off of monthly benefits and to buy, through your various programs, either one of the 'forfeited lands' or homes, so that we could have our own roof over our heads and not have to rely and inconvenience our family and friends by living with them.

I beat a wheelchair some 20 years ago after several failed spinal fusion operations with hardware implants, but I cannot seem to beat this situation of having to live with relatives, because the VA cut my benefits by two-thirds after submitting my yearly Medical Expense Report. It was as if the VA was 'charging' these partially reimbursed expenses as 'income' by reducing my monthly benefits this year, which were hardly enough to live on as it was, as I do try to share in most of the household bills while living with relatives, but God only knows how desperately I pray to have my own home. But without the means or special considerations from your department to buy some land or a home; we are the most forgotten of Veterans . . .

Mr. Commissioner, I once had a life: a wife, a daughter, a great job with NASA, a home with new furniture that we were buying--all until I had my serious on the job injury that cause me to lose EVERYTHING and ended my working career.

Now a widower, with nothing but monthly VA and Social Security benefits, I have been living with my mother and sister since 1990, or for seventeen years now, in a small room, about the size of a jail cell. And I do feel like a prisoner in here, for if the VA cannot help me obtain a home of my own, or hopefully, some land of my own, and the private sector will not make available any home loans to me due to the limitations of these benefits; what, or where are we to go?

When I was filming a documentary on, "Homelessness in America," back in 1982 when I was a director with ABC News, I discovered that 80% of all homeless men were Veterans. I was never able to finish that project, although I have spent the past 22 years in being a Veteran's Advocate in any and all manners in which I could, like when I play my music at benefit concerts and sell my album with all proceeds going towards Veterans and their needs, which I have never been assured that the Veterans actually did receive the little bit of help I tried to extend, therefore, I went on radio talk shows the past 15 years in trying to make the public aware of our plight. It was only two months ago that this plight made National news regarding the abuses of the VA and VA hospitals, which I am sure that you are aware of and have a great desire to rectify--as I have heard about you. You care . . .

In closing Commissioner Patterson, would it be possible that we discuss some program that would allow such Veterans as myself, to afford us the ways and means in which to regain our own lives and to purchase our own homes? There is no mountain too high for me NOT to at least try to overcome to help my fellow Veterans in such similar situations as to have their pride restored in having their own homes. There has to be a way, Sir. There has to be a program worth creating . . .

Awaiting your hopeful reply and assistance, I have the HONOR to remain, Most Sincerely Yours, a.k.a. John Deeds (my given name was ah--given as well as my private phone numbers not need herein anyway).

[willyd]

I work in the TX market as a recruiter and hold a mortgage license...I would like information on working with these Veterans to find them a job and a plan to get them working...if you have any information on how I can get involved, please email me at will ( a ) 3rsearch (dot) com . I will even give them 100% of what they bill if they want to work as a recruiter...I also have the domain name jobsforjoes.com if they are interested in talking with companies about hiring returning veterans...I can build the site out in under two weeks....these are all options they can do over the phone from home if interested...just let me know.

[Snickersnee]

This is from a veteran disabled by NONSERVICE-CONNECTED CONDITIONS. He is a “pensioner,” and pension is an income-based benefit. There are NO income conditions placed on service-connected compensation. Let’s not get our knickers in a twist.

[RoadTest]

This is pathetic. Not only that, but our nation can afford to support our wounded G.I.s. Do it, politicians!

[Atlas Sneezed]

“100% disabled single and widowed Veterans cannot have a home of their own!”

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Yes they can. Lots do. It’s not prohibited.

[PeterPrinciple]

but I cannot seem to beat this situation of having to live with relatives,

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The message has finally been accepted. The govt is suppose to take take of us instead of family.

[John Deeds]

Thank you so very much for posting your reply and your offers to help are GREAT! May I suggest that you send this info directly to Commissioner Jerry Patterson: JP@GLO.State.Tx.Us Phone: 1-800-252-VETS. Website: http://texasveterans.com and ask him if he could post your offers within the VA Land Board sell website, through his newsletters to Veterans, or at the VA website itself! Your offers are that GREAT. You might also contact Mr. John A. Brieden III, who is the Chairman of the Texas Veterans Commission.
I certainly will be writing you off-site for a private contact. You may have something that I can do, certainly more than I had to look forward to before I made this posting. God’s Good Graces to you and yours.
Jason ‘Greywolf’ Leigh
* Everyone deserves their own home, and who better than our Honorable Disabled Veterans?

[John Deeds]

Thank you for your post. It shows that you care.
However, how do you know what my VA status is? My actual name is not given, but to set you straight: I was injured ‘on active duty,’ or, ‘service-connected.’ We are in litigation 10 years now with the VA in Federal Court to prove this fact. Covert duty does have its downfalls later on in life.
* Besides, the problem is in not having enough income, nor being afforded the livelihood of a tax-paying job. Veterans on ‘pension disability’ either lose their benefits altogether should they find a job, even a part-time job, if that income exceeds their monthly benefit, also, should they get laid off, they cannot apply for return pension for 60 days or up to 6 months more, should that job end.
Only Veterans on ‘retirement benefits’ can earn as much money as they can without losing their pension. Although that could be another post of a different topic, but to give you an idea: I know Veterans who get ‘retirement’ and ‘service-connected’ benefits who have second jobs and drive around in high-dollar cars. I know VERY rich Veterans who still claim their VA retirement. Wouldn’t it be nice if they were to cancel those benefits that they really don’t need and help to support a plan for 100% disabled Veterans in this mentioned situation?
Ah, but that’s a ‘prefect world,’ isn’t it?
Thanks again for your reply-post, Snickersnee.

[chesty_puller]

80% of all homeless men were Veterans.

BS.....80% of all homeless men claim to be veterans.

[Lurker]

There has to be a program worth creating . . ."

Just what America needs, another Government program.

L

[2nd amendment mama]

Sorry but something here just doesn’t pass the “smell test”. You claim this is as a result of a service related injury and that you’re 100% disabled. Yet, in the letter you talk about working “back in 1982 when I was a director with ABC News”. You signed up today to post this? Lots of questions........

[F.J. Mitchell]

John Deeds, John Doe, John Smith. You could be Hillary Clinton, Harry Reid or Michael Moore, for all we know.

We or at least I may take you seriously when you sign your real name to your claim.

[John Deeds]

Roadtest:
Thank you for your reply-post, and you are correct in your care and wording.
I have spoken to returning Veterans from firstly, ‘Desert Storm’ and recently, the war in Iraq. They are confused by the mounds of paperwork and can’t believe the stories of the long waits for help at the VA. I only can tell them of my own experiences and those I have met, such as it taking MONTHS to get registered instead of WEEKS or better yet: only days should be the answer.
Presently, I have been waiting six (6) months now for medical expenses reimbursement that the VA manuals and their workers pass on that it only takes up to six (6) weeks. In ten years of submitting these Medical Expenses (when we are forced to see private doctors and private hospitals due to the VA’s over-load), it has always taken six months or more to receive this reimbursement that is only 80% (or less) of the total, but this too is yet another topic from the present one, FYI.
* We hate having to live with family and friends (God bless them) and not having the funds to meet a VA home loan, although thanks to you and everyone who posts a reply and or writes to Mr. Patterson and their Congress and Senators, we just might be able to come up with a plan. And please know this: NONE of us are looking for a free ride! We ARE willing to pay for a home or land—if their were a plan in-place.
God’s Good Graces to you and yours.

[John Deeds]

Thanks for your reply-post, however, I do hope that you are not one who thinks or believes that MOST of the homeless Veterans are drug abusers, drunks or ‘wondering around looking for their head’ kind of men. That’s simply NOT the truth. Have you stopped to speak with homeless people?
The 80% I mentioned from an interview while at ABC news, was after an interview of some 110 people, male, female and kids, living under a bridge just outside of New Orleans just after they had been turned away from the only (one)homeless shelter in New Orleans at that time (prior to Katrina). It was an actual news story of these poor people being ‘bulldozed out from under an over-pass by the police after the people around that neighborhood complained. They had walked there, which was about 12 miles from the homeless shelter (at that time), and were living in makeshift houses made of cardboard boxes and drinking water from a ditch. Had I not seen it with my own eyes and photographed them, neither I nor the public at large would have believed it. And now, due in some part to Katrina, some 20 years later, National and Worldwide media saw how dreadful homelessness really can be. And ‘race’ had no bearing. The men I interviewed were mostly (there were some drug users and drunks—yes—but most simply had lost their jobs and then their lives) white with blacks making up the second most and then a few Latinos.
But the point is that 8 out of 10 were Veterans who showed me their VA cards. I had to ask to prove the point to my editors and the public.
Although that, too, is yet another post.
It seems that this post is a seed that has taken root and may flower into some real concerns, for with concerns will bring some answers, God willing.
Thanks for your post-reply.
And than you for serving your country! Semper Fi!

[John Deeds]

Mama:
I was injured while on active duty, or, ‘service-connected,’ yet being still young and strong back then when I got my ‘early out’ with an Honorable Discharge as a condition; I didn’t know that I had a fractured vertebrae and herniated disk. The Navy knew, but didn’t tell me the truth. They offered me the early out, and being young (18) and a bit foolish; I accepted, since they were going to give me the Honorable Discharge, so once back home; I had to work, which I did until an on the job injury occurred in 1985 that revealed my earlier injury in-service.
I am not deceiving you or anyone. I am speaking the truth about a serious problem that is REAL.
Thank you for your post. You care, and may God bless you!

[John Deeds]

Lurker:
It doesn’t have to be ‘a government plan.’ It could be a ‘public’ one, spearheaded by folks like you!
Thanks for your reply-post. Your concerns could be an acorn!

[John Deeds]

F.J. Mitchell:
Mark Twain was actually Samuel Clements. Ringo Starr was Richard Starkey.
* Most folks on this site use their ‘handles,’ even if you do not. ‘More power to you, although what is important is the message, which is true, just as you know that it is.
I have chosen a pen-name, which does not detract from the fact of my situation.
The Internet is fully of ‘hackers,’ ‘crackers,’ and dishonest everyday people who download music and movies via ‘P2P’ or ‘file sharing.’ All of which are unlawful.
I fail to see what difference it makes in using a pen-name or a ‘handle’ as most do. The message is the bottom-line, and I do not have to put my personal life or real name to assert this truth.
Thank you for your reply-post. You care!

[John Deeds]

Beelzebubba:
Thanks for your reply, however, you should never quote someone unless it is verbatim.
Where did i say that “no 100% disabled Veterans can own their won homes?” Nowhere did I say that.
I only related that we are not allowed enough benefits, being disabled, to ‘afford’ housing of our own.
NEVER have I suggested nor stated in public or in private, that we, at least speaking on my own behalf, are looking for a ‘free ride’ or a ‘free home’ of our own. We, at least myself and *all* of the disabled I have spoken to do not expect the government to afford us a ‘free home.’ We are *all* willing to, what little we do have.
Please don’t confuse our needed help with a hand out.
We may be ‘disabled,’ but not beggars.
Thanks for your post, misquoted as it was.
John Deeds

[F.J. Mitchell]

I fully understand that many use aliases here, and I understand why and respect their need for doing so.

Mark Twain was actually Samuel Clements ? Ya gotta be kidding. ;-)

All smart ass attempts at sarcasm on my part aside though, I have learned (the hard way) to reserve my decisions and remarks about any post until it has been confirmed by several independent and unimpeachable sources, and/or the poster has provided DNA proving that he/she and I are blood kin.

Well maybe not all smart assedness and sarcasm aside.......Lord knows I try though. Honest....ya gotta believe me.

[Atlas Sneezed]

Where did i say that “no 100% disabled Veterans can own their won homes?” Nowhere did I say that.

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Um, how about in YOUR TITLE!