War veterans can only be described using a simple word: ‘patriotic.’ Not many of us can volunteer to place their lives in danger for the advantage of their nations. Fortunately, those who have selflessly put their lives on the line end up being victims of domestic violence, sexual assault and victimization. They also undergo life-threatening issues when they leave the military. These people are supposed to be our heroes and honourable people in thecommunity. On the contrary, they live the opposite of what they should. Many of the veterans are homeless and in most times depend on their relatives and extended families for support. One question for the United States is: it is fair for veterans to be dishonoured and face isolation and other physical and mental difficulties when they served humanity?Is this the price of being patriotic?

I applaud the government of the United States for passing and implementing the RuthMoore act of 2013, which has helped in eliminating some of the violence among the women veterans. I also recognize other private and non-governmental organizations, which have been in the front position in assisting veterans and also encouraging them to report issues of victimization, sexual assault and domestic violence. This law has encouraged many veterans to report abuse cases and mental health cases. However, with all these in place, statistics show that the national rate of destituteness for veterans is 29 homeless veterans per 10,000 veterans in the broadpopulace, compared to 20 homeless people per 10,000 people in the everyday population. This shows that additional efforts are needed in order to save our veterans from homelessness and other emotional, physical and psychological difficulties.

Transition from a soldier to a civilian can only be made possible if the House of Representatives votes for the “Helping Homeless Veterans Act of 2013 (S. 287)” which clarifies the definition of the word “homeless” and aligns it with the McKinney-Vento Act. If this bill is implemented, critical gaps in serving veterans will be filled. Additionalfunds will also help in eradicating veteran homelessness. Unlike the former act which focuses solely on the veteran, this act will ensure that the relatives of a veteran who has undergone a domestic or dating violence situation, sexual assault, stalking, or other dangerous or life-threatening conditions is taken care of. This bill improves the veteran affairs (VA’s) grant and per diem program for homeless veterans and also expands eligibility for the homeless veteran dental program. The Act establishes partnerships with public and private entities to amplify the accessibility of specific legal forces to meet the requirements of homeless veterans. It also extends authorities to allow for nonstop operation of significant programs to help homeless veterans, including drop-in centres, intermediary housing programs, rapid re-housing programs, and employment programs. This indicates that the bill is the answer to the problems that veterans have been going through.

I acknowledge that not all citizens of the United States see the better part of this act. I know that the bill will have a difficult time in the House of Representatives, whereEric Cantor, a member of the Republican Party and the majority leader in the house strictly opposes this bill. I respect Eric cantor’s opinion on the bill as well as others’ opinions. However, I want to appeal to the opponents and beg them to consider the welfare of those who have selflessly served humanity before anything else. I understand that a huge amount of money will be involved in implementing this act. But, I do not think that such funds are more important than our veterans.

Works Cited

Helping Homeless Veterans Act of 2013. Washington, D.C: U.S. Government Printing Office, 2013. Print.