| IN HARD TIMES, MORE
VETERANS TURN TO RED CROSS
"I'm having a hard time getting work.
It's rough, but we're still making what bills we can."
NOTE from Larry Scott, VA
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More veterans turning to Red Cross
FORT MYERS: Veterans served their country bravely at war and many
returned home to face unemployment and financial ruin. Many
veterans in Southwest Florida are struggling to find work and
support their families, and each day more and more of them are
turning to the American Red Cross for help.
Steven Comstock served in Korea and Afghanistan. He helped
Floridians through Hurricane Charley, but protecting his family
from bankruptcy is a different battle.
"I'm having a hard time getting work. It's rough, but we're still
making what bills we can," said Comstock.
Unemployed for more than a year, Comstock is about to lose the
Cape Coral home he shares with his wife Lydia. Even so, he would
rather make sacrifices than ask for help.
"Leave it for the veterans who need it," said Comstock of his
attitude toward accepting assistance.
But there's one sacrifice he won't make. His wife's father died
last week at his home in the Philippines. Comstock wasn't about to
let his wife Lydia miss the chance to grieve with her family.
"I need to get you home somehow," he told her. "I started seeing
what I could do, borrow money from people but my friends are all
in the same situation."
 Comstock
contacted the Red Cross, and before he knew it his wife was on a
flight to the Philippines.
Heidi Ruster, the executive director of Lee County's chapter of
the Red Cross, says many of the military members contacting the
Red Cross are just trying to get by.
"Most of it is just a basic overall need budget-wise, you know a
person thinks they've got things going along fine then all of a
sudden their job is lost or they come back and they can't find a
job," said Ruster. "They need help with mortgage, help with
utilities, that kind of thing."
The number of Southwest Florida veterans asking for help has
jumped 25-percent in the last six months.
Because of recent grants, the Red Cross is expanding their
offerings to keep up. Now for many veterans it all comes down to
pride, something Comstock says shouldn't keep anyone from getting
the help they need.
"If it's something you need to do, do it. Don't be afraid," said
Comstock.
The Red Cross supports veterans, active military members and their
families. Click here to learn more about their services.
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TOPICS:
veterans, veterans' benefits, VA, Department of Veterans' Affairs,
Red Cross, bad economy |
