NCOA
Journal
Jan-Feb 02
NCOA Sponsors New
England Shelter For Homeless Veterans Visit
to Arlington National Cemetery For Veterans Day Celebration
All across America on Veterans Day, our nation's heroes are honored with speeches and parades.
Arlington National Cemetery, the national resting place for those who bravely served to uphold America's ideals, observes the central salute to our veterans.
This year, 39 residents and staff members from the New England Shelter for Homeless Veterans (NESHV) were invited to witness and participate in this historic event as guests of the Non Commissioned Officers Association. The NCOA graciously sponsored this prestigious trip for NESHV comrades as part of their commitment that "veterans help veterans."
Under bright skies, the United States Air Force Concert Band led a ceremonial musical tribute to veterans that began at 10:30 a.m. in the cemetery's Memorial Amphitheater, adjacent to the Tomb of the Unknowns. A combined color guard, that included two members of the New England Shelter for Homeless Veterans Honor Guard, stepped off in the National Emblem March with the Presentation of Flags at the Tomb.
At precisely 11 a.m. on the eleventh day of the eleventh month of 2001, while a bugler played "Taps" to symbolize a nation's tribute to its war dead, Vice President Richard B. Cheney placed a presidential wreath at the Tomb of the Unknowns.
"The collective bond that unites us as veterans, homeless or otherwise, is that each of us proudly served our country," said James McIsaac, Chief Executive Officer of the Vietnam Veterans Workshop d/b/a New England Shelter for Homeless Veterans. "I join with the entire NESHV community in expressing our gratitude to the NCOA for their tremendous generosity in providing us the opportunity to participate in this national tribute to our nation's veterans. Our comrades benefited from the opportunity to join their fellow veterans in this day of remembrance."
Founded in 1990, the New England Shelter for Homeless Veterans has served nearly 11,000 veterans. Clients include men and women who have served in the armed forces as long ago as World War II and as recently as this year.
NESHV is a not-for-profit organization that offers a wide range of support and services to veterans who are homeless including drug and alcohol counseling, psychological and post-traumatic stress disorder therapy, vocational training and job placement, medical and dental services, spiritual care and hot meals. In addition, NESHV provides veterans in need with the tools and opportunities to create productive and fulfilling lives for themselves. The NCOA also provided a warm breakfast welcome to NESHV guests on November 10. Dick Schneider, NCOA Director of State/Veteran Affairs, underscored NCOA's belief that " . . . those who answer the calling should be treated with honor, dignity and respect."
During the breakfast, NCOA recognized Pete Dougherty, Director of VA Homeless Programs, who addressed the ever changing process to move veterans from the streets to jobs and homes.
NCOA President, David W. Sommers, 11th Sergeant Major of the Marine Corps, welcomed the residents and staff of the New England Shelter for Homeless Veterans to Washington. He thanked the residents for their military service and their personal sacrifices made over the years. He noted that the breakfast should be a celebration of their victory from the streets through a journey of change at the New England Shelter to personal readiness to resume their individual and independent life styles.
Sommers recognized a special guest, Ms. Heather French Henry, Miss America 2000, at the breakfast meeting. The former Miss America was no stranger to the residents of the New England Shelter, having visited them in Boston during her reign as Miss America.
Heather reflected her thoughts as the former Miss America. Speaking from the heart, she shared personal stories of her family and lost time following their tours of duty in Vietnam, her growing love and appreciation for all of America's veterans, and the determination to continue her work and involvement to end homelessness among veterans.
People at the New England Shelter were privileged to witness NCOA President Dave Sommers convey to Heather French Henry, the prestigious NCOA National Patriot Award for a life-time of service on behalf of America's Homeless Veterans.
Other attendees included: Kentucky Lt. Governor Stephen L. Henry; staff members Susan Edgerton from the House Veterans Subcommittee, and Charlie Koerber of the Senate Veterans Committee, and Department of Veterans Affairs homeless advocates Gay Koerber, Debbie Jackson, and Victor Harris. Also in attendance were formerly homeless veterans from Washington, DC.
NESHV veterans relished the camaraderie and common story telling with other veterans from across the country. Sharing experiences with fellow veterans who have succeeded in bettering themselves reinforced their belief that homelessness is not a permanent lifestyle, but a barrier that can be overcome through a community-based network of support. The outpouring of patriotism across America since the September 11 terrorist attacks so closely viewed by NESHV veterans at Arlington National Cemetery has encouraged many to understand that their sacrifices in securing our nation has not been forgotten and, through veterans helping veterans programs, neither will they.
