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Vets Stand Down: Homeless in Chicago

By Barry Romo

Barry Romo
National Coordinator

Chicago VVAW worked three full days running the kitchen, washing the floor, cleaning the stove and dishes. It wouldn't have happened without the leadership of Bill Branson and Mike Terry, and the constant work of Joel Greenburg and Annie Luginbil and a coast of 30 other VVAW members. 600 vets registered, 800 homeless were fed.

We worked with other vets groups like Viet Now, and VVA, along with VA employees who put homeless vets needs first.

VA staffers such as Phil and Gail showed us all what professionalism and heart can accomplish in coordinating services, volunteers and homeless. They put in triple shifts and a re a real example of what the VA can accomplish. VVAW presented each with a special gift from Vietnam to show our appreciation.

VVAW is known for standing up to bureaucrats and has taken over more than a few VA administrator offices in our time. But the VA, different vets groups and the homeless people enjoyed each other's company and comradeship.

Of course a low point was when the suits showed up-expensive VA honcho bureaucrats who had to have their photo op. (NO, they did not visit the kitchen.)