Not your usual Homeless person

[gymrat76541]

He spent 30 years in the U.S. military, earned three graduate degrees and eventually worked his way to the Pentagon before retiring — but today, former Air Force Col. Robert Freniere, 59, is living out of his van, filling out job applications on public computers in libraries.

Freniere's story stands in stark contrast to common beliefs about unemployed, homeless veterans being made up of former soldiers from the rank-and-file. But an in-depth profile of Freniere by The Philadelphia Inquirer shows that problems affecting veterans don't discriminate based on chain of command; they go up to the top brass.

How could this have happened? The answer is complex and representative of what veterans face when they attempt to re-enter civilian life.

After retiring, it took Freniere a year to get a job with a defense contractor. When that work dried up, it was hard to find a civilian job that complemented his background in intelligence. A divorce, the costs of two kids' college expenses and struggles with dyslexia left Freniere calling his van his home.

According to the National Coalition for Homeless Veterans, some 58,000 vets face life on the street each day, and "over the course of a year, approximately twice that many experience homelessness," the organization says. "Only 7% of the general population can claim veteran status, but nearly 13% of the homeless adult population are veterans."

Unemployment is an even bigger problem. The rate among veterans who have served since the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon stands at 10 percent, or 246,000 out of work. For those under age 25, the rate increases dramatically to 30 percent.

But Freniere isn't giving up.

"I'm a military guy. I'm mission-oriented," he told the Inquirer. "I've got a lot of good experience. I've got two beautiful sons. I've got a van. I don't know how long it's going to hold up, but I've got it. I've got a lot of things to be thankful for.

[Djorgie]

What a disheartening story... Praying for this gentleman and everyone else in the world who are suffering in some way.

 

Really the answer isn't all that complex IMO... The fact is that our government doesn't CARE about it's citizens or the people who serve them and their purpose. If anyone was unaware of that all I can say is, what planet do you live on?

 

How many times have we heard these kind of stories from our veterans? They are coming home broken in so many ways and they are not being cared for the way they are lead to believe that they will be by a government they willingly commit themselves to...  and what about all that gave the ultimate price? So sad that so many have lost their lives and for what? I'll tell you what it really is if you want to listen... Our government is corrupt to the bone. They literally serve evil. These poor people take oaths THINKING that they are doing something good for America and THINKING that they are helping to ensure our freedoms. They sadly have been deceived and used in despicable ways. They unknowingly help this government and it's god to prosper and gain even more power each and every day that they serve.

 

All you have to do is look around... You DO NOT need to wait for your government to tell you that what you are witnessing isn't really happening. We are bombarded 24/7 with all kinds of fallacies. We are conditioned from birth. We live in a falsely created society who are more concerned about how they are going to surgically reconstruct themselves to look just like the last great plastic reality T.V. star than they are with the fact that there are homeless, starving people, children walking the streets of the UNITED STATES OF AMERICA! That is a fact!

 

Just think of all the wars that we would NOT have had and all of the lives that would have been spared had there been no one to step up and sign their life away. Why would ANY government allow or agree to war being an option? What if war were outlawed in the world period? What if no one were allowed to go to war with anyone else? No nukes, no missiles, no boots on the ground necessary!

 

I won't say that I am sorry for the rant but, I will stop now so I don't offend anyone (if I already haven't) to a degree that they miss the whole point lol.

[Rayzur]

Gymrat.... you were in the military.... there is something I don't understand about this story.... Was this the whole article and all the information?

Here is what I don't understand.... if this guy retired with say 30 years at full bull.... he'd be making approximately 8000.00 a month in retirement. I've seen some pretty pizzzy things go down in divorce and there are times for sure it involves a person's retirement money.... though I don't think I've ever seen every last penny of one's retirement given to a spouse?

I'm not sure what else is going on in this guy's life... and wonder if maybe he's got some mental illness issues on board, or alcohol... or.... I don't know... But somewhere there is retirement money he should be getting... And even with divorce, at least enough to live in a small apt, or something? And I know there are homeless vets, I've seen them, I've helped them, I caught pneumonia from an army vet laying on the street with a broken hip that I helped.... Indeed they are out there and its a total shame... An absolute shame on so many levels... And generally, while these guys are vets to be sure, not many of them are retired with a pension living on the street, unless something else is going on...  and I can't say I've actually seen that, but am sure its possible, (with other things going on as well).... 

Which leads me to wonder what is going on that he has lost his retirement... or is not getting it... or.....

[sheltagar]

Watch "the harbinger " on youtube by John cahn . Jesus is judging Amerika for 60 million murdered babies,just for starters. *** marriage, porn hub of the world etc. While claiming to be a Christian nation. I've read the King James Bible several times, and n.amerika is in for BIG trouble.

[Heavyduty053]

God is giving America what its been wanting for decades. You push him out and you let Satan in and believe me Satan is laughing every minute of the souls he is destroying with moral decay, but hey that's his mission to take as many as he can with him into the lake of fire.

[TexasGranny]

Gymrat.... you were in the military.... there is something I don't understand about this story.... Was this the whole article and all the information?

Here is what I don't understand.... if this guy retired with say 30 years at full bull.... he'd be making approximately 8000.00 a month in retirement. I've seen some pretty pizzzy things go down in divorce and there are times for sure it involves a person's retirement money.... though I don't think I've ever seen every last penny of one's retirement given to a spouse?

I'm not sure what else is going on in this guy's life... and wonder if maybe he's got some mental illness issues on board, or alcohol... or.... I don't know... But somewhere there is retirement money he should be getting... And even with divorce, at least enough to live in a small apt, or something? And I know there are homeless vets, I've seen them, I've helped them, I caught pneumonia from an army vet laying on the street with a broken hip that I helped.... Indeed they are out there and its a total shame... An absolute shame on so many levels... And generally, while these guys are vets to be sure, not many of them are retired with a pension living on the street, unless something else is going on...  and I can't say I've actually seen that, but am sure its possible, (with other things going on as well).... 

Which leads me to wonder what is going on that he has lost his retirement... or is not getting it... or.....

 

Here's a much more in depth interview of his situation. You are right, there are other factors involved. I would post the whole thing here but is is quite long so I'm just posting the link.

 

http://articles.philly.com/2014-01-06/news/45885460_1_veterans-day-homeless-veterans-hogg

 

[divemaster5734]

Here's a much more in depth interview of his situation. You are right, there are other factors involved. I would post the whole thing here but is is quite long so I'm just posting the link.

 

http://articles.philly.com/2014-01-06/news/45885460_1_veterans-day-homeless-veterans-hogg

 

Thanks for that link TG.

It is obvious the guy has other undisclosed issues.

He makes 40k a year in pension.

 

That said, being a vet myself, I have found myself pursuing a solitary life, often to my own detriment.

Sometimes, any other human activity in close proximity is just too much.

The only thing to do is just leave the guy alone, and pray they will find peace.

Watch "the harbinger " on youtube by John cahn . Jesus is judging Amerika for 60 million murdered babies,just for starters. *** marriage, porn hub of the world etc. While claiming to be a Christian nation. I've read the King James Bible several times, and n.amerika is in for BIG trouble.

Didnt know it was a movie. Did read the book.

Highly recommend to all.

Took away your neg. Don't know why someone did that, prolly a hater anyway..

Gymrat.... you were in the military.... there is something I don't understand about this story.... Was this the whole article and all the information?

Here is what I don't understand.... if this guy retired with say 30 years at full bull.... he'd be making approximately 8000.00 a month in retirement. I've seen some pretty pizzzy things go down in divorce and there are times for sure it involves a person's retirement money.... though I don't think I've ever seen every last penny of one's retirement given to a spouse?

I'm not sure what else is going on in this guy's life... and wonder if maybe he's got some mental illness issues on board, or alcohol... or.... I don't know... But somewhere there is retirement money he should be getting... And even with divorce, at least enough to live in a small apt, or something? And I know there are homeless vets, I've seen them, I've helped them, I caught pneumonia from an army vet laying on the street with a broken hip that I helped.... Indeed they are out there and its a total shame... An absolute shame on so many levels... And generally, while these guys are vets to be sure, not many of them are retired with a pension living on the street, unless something else is going on...  and I can't say I've actually seen that, but am sure its possible, (with other things going on as well).... 

Which leads me to wonder what is going on that he has lost his retirement... or is not getting it... or.....

You got it.

Edited January 10, 2014 by divemaster5734

[yota691]

[Rayzur]

Here's a much more in depth interview of his situation. You are right, there are other factors involved. I would post the whole thing here but is is quite long so I'm just posting the link.

 

http://articles.philly.com/2014-01-06/news/45885460_1_veterans-day-homeless-veterans-hogg

 

 

Thanks TG!!!! In reading the comments following that article (some of them a bit ...uhmmm intense), it looks like a few other military folk had the same initial reaction... (BTW in the comments they did not accurately report his pension, they way under reported it)...

While there are still some answers missing, it certainly does underscore the notion that most of us are one to two pay checks away from the street..... and there but the Grace of God go I.... He's welcome to come live here till he gets it going on, and unfortunately I'm on the wrong coast for him.... Would love to talk to this guy.... we share the same blue outfit and metal shoulder accessories.... I'd love to figure out what's going on.... Thanks again TG for the additional info....

Edited January 11, 2014 by Rayzur

[gymrat76541]

Thanks TG!!!! In reading the comments following that article (some of them a bit ...uhmmm intense), it looks like a few other military folk had the same initial reaction... (BTW in the comments they did not accurately report his pension, they way under reported it)...

While there are still some answers missing, it certainly does underscore the notion that most of us are one to two pay checks away from the street..... and there but the Grace of God go I.... He's welcome to come live here till he gets it going on, and unfortunately I'm on the wrong coast for him.... Would love to talk to this guy.... we share the same blue outfit and metal shoulder accessories.... I'd love to figure out what's going on.... Thanks again TG for the additional info....

I do not know the exact facts of this individual case. 

I just thought it was sad.

After going through a divorce myself I understand the huge impact that can have financially. Especially if the spouse does not work and he is footing all the bills.

Add to that - this guy is trying to pay for college for his children? Student loans should be available somewhere too.

I am thinking that possibly he is living in a van to prove a point or something.

If he were an enlisted man or of lower rank it would be much more believeable.

Then too, there are jobs out there to be had, just maybe not the high paying ones so maybe he is unwilling to settle too.

Strange but it does make a negetive statement about the blite of our retired service members and our society.

[SgtFuryUSCZ]

 

Add to that - this guy is trying to pay for college for his children? Student loans should be available somewhere too.

 

***///

 

Illegal alien babies get free college here....

[Maggie123]

Thank You Gymrat... Your heart is gold.

 

Regardless of this post and it's Q's... it was a good one my friend... Keep questioning.

 

 

Let me get your back...

 

Here is a video talking about the same guys that you are wondering about...

 

start at minute 40 minutes going into 50 minutes....

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xNyNxJj02wc#t=243

 

 

Then watch the whole thing... If you give a funk. You will see in my next post why I say that.

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xNyNxJj02wc#t=243

[stealthwarrior]

His sons can't help him out?this is a sad story all the way around but really this one CAN'T be blamed on the government and everybody here knows how I feel about our government.

[Maggie123]

His sons can't help him out?this is a sad story all the way around but really this one CAN'T be blamed on the government and everybody here knows how I feel about our government.

 

Morning Stealthwarrior

 

You seem to be up early and I doubt you would miss out on much here if you were to check out this little ol'e video.

 

Just hit the link and open your mind and heart... you'll be fine.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xNyNxJj02wc#t=243

Edited January 11, 2014 by Maggie123

[Dinarian64]

It's disgusting how we can have anyone live in poverty. Especially when we are one of the wealthiest nations with tons of food, and lots of empty buildings. But of course, no one wants to pay for public services and the taxes to support them. I'm sorry this is an argument in favor of public service. If we took a small sliver of what is spent on the military we would have no homeless in this country. Consider this article when making choices at the voting booth in future.