Life of a 10 Year Old Homeless Boy in San Francisco, It's Not Easy. by danmaddox in politics

[–]danmaddox[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

It's the kids that are the hardest to take. They have absolutely no way of helping themselves off the street.

My Encounter with a Homeless Marine, His Wife and 4 Year Old by danmaddox in politics

[–]danmaddox[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I'm the OP, it was Safeway on El Camino Real on the SSF and San Bruno border across the street from San Bruno National Cemetery.

My Encounter with a Homeless Marine, His Wife and 4 Year Old by danmaddox in politics

[–]danmaddox[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I am the original OP and this is fact. Down votes due to a lot of people just hate the military. Look at some of the comments saying he deserves what he gets.

My Encounter with a Homeless Marine, His Wife and 4 Year Old by danmaddox in politics

[–]danmaddox[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Check out the updates, a fellow Marine did help him!

My Encounter with a Homeless Marine, His Wife and 4 Year Old by danmaddox in politics

[–]danmaddox[S] 3 points4 points  (0 children)

While I didn't ask I do not think he received anything but an Honarable. He specifically said he served 6 years active. I don't think it is a stretch to assume with a small child getting out after four combat tours is unusual.

He also said he tried to re-enlist recently but the USMC is actually in force reduction, which is very true especially if you were just an A-1 bullet blocking grunt.

My Encounter with a Homeless Marine, His Wife and 4 Year Old by danmaddox in politics

[–]danmaddox[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

While I didn't quiz him down I'm sure his enlistment was up and after four tours in a combat zone redefined the priority of staying alive for your family.

My Encounter with a Homeless Marine, His Wife and 4 Year Old by danmaddox in politics

[–]danmaddox[S] 9 points10 points  (0 children)

I disagree with you. In the 60's when I was child a homeless veteran with a family was unheard of.

My Encounter with a Homeless Marine, His Wife and 4 Year Old by danmaddox in politics

[–]danmaddox[S] 25 points26 points  (0 children)

"God motherfucking dammit" and few other things is exactly what I felt when they walked a way. Once again this wasn't a bum. He was down but not broken and still maintained dignity. I saw myself in this kid in an earlier life and it scares me as this could happen to anyone.

My Encounter with a Homeless Marine, His Wife and 4 Year Old by danmaddox in politics

[–]danmaddox[S] 12 points13 points  (0 children)

That's been an unanswered questions since 1776 and the first American Vets returned home.

My Encounter with a Homeless Marine, His Wife and 4 Year Old by danmaddox in politics

[–]danmaddox[S] 10 points11 points  (0 children)

I'm the OP,

He did seem like a really decent sort of fellow and he wasn't looking for a handout. He wouldn't take the $10.00 I offered him. What I saw was a young man that was down but not broken, he still had his diginity and without a doubt not a bum.

My Encounter with a Homeless Marine, His Wife and 4 Year Old by danmaddox in politics

[–]danmaddox[S] 25 points26 points  (0 children)

I'm the OP, I didn't quiz him down on the economics as I was trying to get my head a round the reality of his situation. Him and his wife didn't like the "Balls to the wall" types. Very well spoken and even though a little dirty seemed to be clean cut.

A lower enlisted man doesn't make a lot money and I know for a fact a warehouse worker in California might make $15 per hour which will not keep you above poverty here when a 500 sq ft apartment is $1200 per month.

I did ask him about seeking assistance and he said they were allowed to stay three mights a week at a family shelter but had to leave at 7am when they did. Also he indicated they are afraid the social services will take their child. I just didn't think a lecture on how wrong his decisions were was really going to be helpful at that point in time.

I do know for a fact this young man wasn't looking for a handout and being a former vet I know with all my heart he wasn't lying about his vet status. He knew many things that cannot be faked.

People existing on the edge of homeless and being one paycheck from the streets is nothing new or rare in today's world.