not really a matter of where in the pile veterans resumes wind- up. The problem is that the economy is right now and in the foreseeable future incapable of providing jobs for all the people who want and need them.

I've always thought our military should take a role too, and not dump all problems on the VA. The VA doesn't have the land and facilities to house all these unemployed vets. It leases rooms for some, but that is expensive.

Our military bases have lots of old barracks with mess halls nearby. Military bases should have "transient" barracks where any veteran discharged within the past five years can live and eat for free, no questions asked. I'd prefer the old open squad bay type with metal bunk beds so they don't get too comfortable. Or just line them up in an old aircraft hangar. Three hots and a cot, until they get a good job!

"young veterans make up only about 5 percent of the nation's veteran population, they constitute nearly 9 percent of all former service members who are homeless. This doesn't count those who couch surf with friends and family."

No kidding; that's news? If it is news, it shouldnt be, since we had the same issue, in spades, after Viet-Nam. . .we just didn't keep statistics back then.

However, each generation is supposed to be better than the last, so let's do something about it this time around. . .the government damn well won't be able to do it all. . .it will take community outreach.

And, what am I doing you might ask: I do what I can by employing bonefied veterans who are regulars at the homeless shelter, a bit down from me (we've already had a few OIF/OEF vets), for odd jobs on my property, and evaluate their performance for the shelter's supervisor. I further assist in networking them in start-up jobs toward establishing work ethic, and have further sponsored an OIF vet who is working full time as a wrench in a bicycle shop (I'm a silent partner).

God I hate Veteran's Day. . .I'll it's come down to is another grand shopping day at the local mall. . .Hey, weren't we all only asked to go to the mall when this crap was started awhile back (I ain't got a mall by me; I got no neighbors either)?

The nation employs its warfighters, they pay their salaries and help them feed their families. Many are not paid the value of what they give. Be that as it may, while our fighting men and women voluntarily take the job, this is enough in my view.

But the OP asks about honor and dignity. Well, to answer the OP's question, "How can we rise to the occasion to serve our veterans with the same honor and dignity that they have shown us?" I answer as such. Only send them to fight wars that require honor and dignity. If their blood and mental well being, and the happiness and stability of their families, isn't truly required to be sacrificed for the security of our nation, then don't send them to fight.

They will go where the citizens tell them to go. For good reason or otherwise. Our fighting men and women are the stick in the hand of our citizens, they are not the hand that swings them. If you want to rise to the occasion, think before you swing.

The citizenry cannot, and should not be allowed, to assuage its guilt from a bad decision with a bumper sticker or a cute letter. Make good decisions if you want to help those you send into hell.

It is so unfortunate that the economy is the way that it is when the vet's come back. It seems so terrible to think of them coming back from war and not having any prospects. Thanks for bringing this important issue to our attention.

Ma’am, thank you for the post.
My dad, many of his friends – USMC, though mostly all now deceased – and my retired Army uncle, alive and kickin’ in central Massachusetts, all hail from “The Greatest Generation.” I cannot begin to fathom what they went through in WWII and Korea.

But I look at the Sailors with whom I now serve on a big deck amphib and the Marines with whom I had the privilege of spending eleven months in Iraq and cannot but helped be moved by their magnanimity. What’s more, few if any have any sense that they are owed anything for their service!

The one thing I liked about Veterans Day used to be a day off, in garrison. However, after stopping in at the ship today and having one Sailor on duty thank me for my service – while tongue-in-check, a kernel of truth lying underneath, nonetheless – brought a smile to my face and a tear to my eye: his service, and the service of a hundreds of his shipmates, puts anything I’ve ever done to shame. For that, I know I owe them more than I could ever repay. This is a Veterans Day I’ll never forget.

but the SOF guys should should be the first ones who get to date models and super models, just my opinion. If you win a Cross or MoH, a Victorias Secret Model should be on deck for you. If there is one entitlement I would truly like to see put forth it is that. Just saying.

I don't see it. Economy aside, diminishing marginal returns will kick in. No sense in making the goal an unattainable one.

The citizenry cannot, and should not be allowed, to assuage its guilt from a bad decision with a bumper sticker or a cute letter. Make Stone James good decisions if you want to help those you send into hell.