Homelessness is real deal

January 27, 2008 07:41 am

— The problem of homelessness among veterans is a fantasy, at least according to Fox News commentator Bill O’Reilly. O’Reilly, a best-selling author and millionaire, declared on his Jan. 15 television broadcast, “They may be out there, but there’s not many of them out there, okay? If you know where there’s a veteran sleeping under a bridge, you call me immediately and we will make sure that man does not do it.”
I wish Mr. O’Reilly would have made his generous offer in 2002, when Private Second Class Kenneth W. Solvang, a combat-wounded veteran of the 25th Infantry Division, was found living near a bridge along Routes 11-15 just north of Selinsgrove. Private Solvang was wounded during the Korean War on July 9, 1951. When Solvang’s plight appeared in local media, social service agencies attempted to intervene and assist him. He moved on, apparently unable to cope with the attention.
According to the United States Department of Veterans Affairs, an estimated 200,000 veterans are homeless each night in America. The Veterans Administration categorizes as many as 33 percent of homeless veterans as “chronically homeless.” Even recent veterans are affected — the VA estimates that nearly 400 veterans of Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom are homeless, with an additional 1,000 identified as being at risk. Approximately 45 percent of homeless veterans suffer from a mental illness, and 70 percent have substance abuse problems.
O’Reilly’s belittling comments about homeless veterans are a new low for the arrogant TV host. In May 2006, O’Reilly completely botched the history of one of the most notorious massacres of American soldiers in World War II when he stated, “In Malmedy, as you know, U.S. forces captured SS forces who had their hands in the air and they were unarmed and they shot them down.” The reverse was true — 84 unarmed American prisoners were slaughtered with machine gun fire at Malmedy by SS troops during the Battle of the Bulge. O’Reilly never corrected the error or apologized for it.
In November 2007, O’Reilly attacked the United Service Organization for not sending more celebrities to entertain American troops in Afghanistan. O’Reilly said, “As far as I know, the only famous people in the past year were Toby Keith and me.” The USO responded with something O’Reilly is often unable to handle — the truth. In 2006, the USO sent 12 acts to Afghanistan, including the Dallas Cowboy Cheerleaders and Academy Award nominee Gary Sinise, who famously portrayed “Lt. Dan” in the movie Forrest Gump. In 2007, the USO sent 19 celebrities to Afghanistan. The USO pleaded with O’Reilly in a letter, “If you really want to support America’s service men and women and their families, please set the record straight (both on your show and with the AP) on the work the USO is doing right now on behalf of the nation’s troops and encourage your viewers to support the USO.” O’Reilly never did so.
The late James “Dusty” Rhoades of Sunbury recognized the seriousness of homelessness among veterans. Rhoades, a veteran and district commander of the American Legion, helped to lay the groundwork for the creation of a vocational training center for homeless veterans at the former Odd Fellows Orphan Home outside Sunbury. Though this project remains incomplete, the need still exists. I can only imagine what Dusty would have to say to O’Reilly.
Tonight in America, men and women who served our country in uniform will be homeless. Some will sleep in shelters or churches; some will sleep on a friend’s couch; some will sleep in makeshift cardboard dwellings; and some will sleep outdoors. Based on estimates, the number of homeless veterans tonight will equal the population of Des Moines, Iowa or Richmond, Virginia.
Private Solvang is likely homeless, if he is still alive. If not, it is unlikely that he received the military burial to which he was entitled. Who knows how many veterans have met a similar fate.
Bill O’Reilly wants us to call him if we know of a homeless veteran. He has pledged to take care of the situation. O’Reilly can be reached at (888) 369-4762, or by e-mailing him at oreilly@foxnews.com.
Let me know how you make out.
n John Deppen, of Northumberland, is a member of General John F. Hartranft Camp No. 15 of the Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War. He can be reached at GeneralWSH@aol.com.

Photos

Private Second Class Kenneth W. Solvang, a 76-year-old homeless veteran of the Korean War, had spent several months living under trees near the Routes 11-15 overpass leading into Selinsgrove.