VETERAN STATISTICS

More Than 40 Percent of Homeless Vets Served in Vietnam, Says Rescue Mission Survey

Gulf War Vets Already Account for Ten Percent

(Washington, D.C.) - Nearly two-thirds of the U.S. veterans seeking shelter in America's Rescue Missions served in Korea, Vietnam or the Persian Gulf, according to a nationwide survey released this morning by the International Union of Gospel Missions (IUGM). Vietnam veterans account for 42 percent, followed by Korean War veterans with 10 percent and Gulf War vets with 10 percent.

The survey of more than 1,200 veterans was conducted in late October by 58 Rescue missions around the nation. This year's veterans survey was part of IUGM's annual survey of America's homeless. Missions interviewed more than 11,000 men; of these 32 percent, were found to be veterans.

"America's armed forces have a deservedly honored place in our country," said Rev. Stephen E. Burger, executive director of the Kansas City-based IUGM. "Unfortunately, the evidence is clear that many veterans who served our nation honorably have had difficulty making the transition to civilian life. In particular, veterans who served in conflicts are far more likely to be living at our Rescue missions."

"I'm shocked and saddened, but not really surprised at the figure for Vietnam vets," said Rev. Duane Gartland, a partially disabled Vietnam combat veteran, who runs Pittsburgh's Light of Life Ministry with his brother Dennis, also a Vietnam veteran. "Vietnam put many wonderful kids through a grinder. Now they're adults and they depend on our Rescue missions."

Another finding of the study shows that the vast majority of veterans at Rescue missions served in the Armed Forces for at least three years. Only 25 percent served two or fewer years. The years-of-service breakdown is as follows:

3-4 years service: 44 percent 5-6 years service: 15 percent 7-9 years service: 7 percent 10 or more years: 9 percent "We're caring for men and women who have spent considerable time in the service," said Rev. Burger, "It shows that despite all the training and discipline, there are still many who simply cannot cope with an uncaring civilian life. After all, a lot of civilians aren't necessarily impressed at someone's ability to drive a tank."

Air Force veteran James VarnHagen, executive director of the New York City Rescue Mission, agrees: "The fact that three-quarters of the vets at our Rescue missions served at least three years is striking. But no matter how disciplined a person is, the stress of adjusting to civilian life can lead to drugs or excessive drinking."

The survey asked veterans for the decade in which they were discharged. The 1970s accounted for 33 percent of all discharges, followed by the 1980s and 1960s with 20 percent each. 12 percent of vets were discharged during the 1990s; 11 percent were discharged during the 1950s. The rest (4 percent) left the service prior to 1950.

The survey asked veterans in which branch of the Armed Forces they served. Forty-nine percent said they served in the Army, followed by 19 percent in the Navy, 18 percent in the Marines, 12 percent in the Air Force and two percent in the Coast Guard.

Men accounted for 96 percent of those surveyed. Racially, the breakdown of veterans is 51 percent Caucasian, 37 percent African-American, and six percent Hispanic.

In terms of type of discharge, 71 percent reported receiving an honorable discharge. 17 percent received general discharges; 7 percent, medical discharges; and 5 percent, dishonorable discharges. "These men served their nation honorably," said Rev. Burger, "I'm surprised the honorable discharge figure is so high. It certainly runs against the homeless stereotype."

IUGM member missions provide emergency food and shelter, youth and family services, rehabilitation programs for the addicted, and assistance to the elderly poor and at-risk youth. Last year, IUGM Rescue missions served more than 30 million meals, provided 12 million nights lodging, distributed more than 24 million pieces of clothing and graduated more than 20,000 homeless men and women into productive living.

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