George Smith

I am a Veteran of the Vietnam era and came back pretty much intact. I now work for Veterans and their families in getting them off the streets and dealing with their barriers to success. As a Counselor for the United States Veterans Initiative I run a Program that deals with the Vets that cannot go back to work as their disabilities limit what they can do.

We assist them in getting a monthly income (Non-service connected, Service Connected. SSDI, etc.) so that they can transiton back into the community via VASH vouchers (sort of like section 8 housing but designed for Veterans on a fixed income) or get them stable enough to move into our permenant housing facility.

The Vets are also required to go to many meetings, groups, school, and volunteer somewhere in the community while in our program. The program lasts for two years and it gives them all ample time to deal with the Barriers to success. They go to the Long Beach VA every week for medical and psychological appointments.

We try to keep them busy and social improving every day upon their chances for growth and success. It is the most rewarding job I have ever had and It does my heart good every time someone graduates.

I use writing as a tool to release the Devil inside my head. The Doctors call it PTSD, I call it life relived.

My Poetry is heartfelt and those Vets who were in Combat will know that the loss will never really go away.

 I am attempting to write a Book which is mainly a recount of the lives of two of my friends who came home pysically intact but psychologically broken like so many of us. They helped each other to overcome adversity and PTSD that Combat Doctors and Medics live with in all wars.