by Max Marbut
Staff Writer
Jacksonville has long enjoyed a reputation among military personnel, particularly those in the U.S. Navy, as a favored place to retire after a 20- or 30-year career. That reputation has led to Duval County’s veterans population approaching the 200,000 mark. That number increases by 1,000 veterans a year, based on data gathered by the City of Jacksonville’s Military Affairs, Veterans and Disabled Services Division.
The majority of Jacksonville’s military retirees lead pretty normal lives after they are discharged from service. They do things other retirees do like fish and play golf and plant a garden. But, about 4,000 of Duval County’s military retirees live a vastly different life after years of serving their country.
They are among the ranks of the homeless.
“The veterans community is more susceptible to being homeless than the rest of the population,” said Social Service Specialist Ed Palmer. “There are different reasons. But primarily it’s due to Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. That leads to alcohol or substance abuse, unemployment and divorce and all that can lead to homelessness.”
Palmer said many veterans who relocate to Jacksonville aren’t from here and don’t have friends or family in the area, either. They come for the employment opportunities as well as the proximity to the Veterans Administration Hospital in Gainesville. Many come to Jacksonville for the wide range of services provided by the Military Affairs, Veterans and Disabled Services Division which serves veterans not only in Duval County, but surrounding counties in Florida and even south Georgia.
One of the most important services the City provides its homeless veterans each year is a two-day resource fair that offers access to basic services like medical and dental care, mental health and financial counseling and employment opportunities.
Social Services Specialist Travis Sims said he hopes Friday and Saturday’s Homeless Veterans Resource Fair brings a record number of veterans to the Jacksonville Agricultural Fairgrounds. When the annual event began three years ago, 250 homeless veterans participated. This year Sims said the goal is to serve 800 or more.
“It’s a time for the veterans to receive services they only get once a year like dental care or a basic physical examination,” he said.
The budget for the event is only $10,000 and making it happen would be very difficult were it not for contributions, said Management Officer Harrison Conyers. He said the City can always use more support from the community to help veterans, particularly those who are homeless.
The City’s budget includes $1 million for Military Affairs, Veterans and Disabled Services. This year the division also received $1.4 million in grants, mostly federal, and an additional $154,000 in donated goods, said Conyers.
“We get a donation from a Chicago-based organization called ‘Vietnow’ that we use to purchase bicycles for veterans without transportation and Wal-Mart donates bikes plus hamburgers, hot dogs, bottled water and staff for the event,” he said.
Other donors this year include Quizno’s, Subway, Dunkin’ Donuts, Krispy Kreme, Publix and the Chicken Coop. JTA donated advertising space on city buses and each year the U.S. Department of Defense sends out thousands of surplus uniforms and boots that are distributed to homeless veterans.
The event has grown to serve more homeless veterans each year and so has the community support. Unfortunately, said Sims, it looks like the event and the need will continue to grow, particularly considering the war in Iraq.
“We’re doing a better job, but we know there’s going to be a bigger job to do,” he said.