Bravo Zulu: An initiative to help homeless SE Texas vets

Bravo Zulu. It’s a naval signal meaning “well done.” The origin of the nautical term is not as important as the sentiment in the instance I announce here.

I give a thumbs up to the Department of Veterans Affairs due to a news release I just found in my e-mail. The Michael E. DeBakey Veterans Affairs Hospital in Houston has control over a number of outpatient clinics in the region. This includes clinics in Galveston and Beaumont, the latter is where my primary doc is located and where I have to go for my monthly appointment Friday.

The release announced that the VA, in collaboration with the U.S. Housing and Urban Development, has expanded a Section 8 Housing voucher program for homeless veterans.

I see this as some very good news for those veterans here in Beaumont who are homeless. A reason for my seal of approval, chuckle, is because I am a veteran who spent a month or two sleeping in my pickup in some Beaumont parking lots or on McFaddin Beach until I got a job.

How many vets are on the streets of Beaumont, Galveston, or other places in either Jefferson, Galveston or other Southeast Texas counties, I have no clue. I would say one would be too many though.

I have seen, at times, some shoddy and frustrating care from the VA in the 15 years I have used that health care system. I worked for more than five years as a reporter and columnist who covered the VA nationally and locally in Central Texas and have seen some serious problems in veterans’ health care.

The VA isn’t perfect. But, like me, it’s all many of us veterans have. I have always maintained the whole system isn’t bad. It is just a very huge, the second largest cabinet department to Defense if Homeland Security hasn’t overtaken it. It’s bureaucratic. It does have some very excellent people as its employees. I include in that my primary care provider, nurses, and neurologist. I know of others far away from my little area who do incredible work the non-veteran would not imagine. People such as my old college friend, Grace, who is among those doing great research at the VA to help patients suffering bipolar disorder.

I’ve also been mistreated by a few people at the VA who feel a sense of entitlement and should be weeded out.

I give my old Navy congrats, Bravo Zulu, not lightly. I’m sure that doesn’t mean much to many. But this is a very positive step for those in my area who could use help in getting off the street.