Vets getting by with a little help from their friends
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WALLA WALLA, Wash. - "Do you have your VA ID card today?" That was all it took for veterans, most without jobs, to get basic services at the Walla Walla Armory.
From haircuts, to shaves to flu shots. It was all free. Dental work, eye care and basic medical exams were also performed. No strings attached.
For Lee McDole, it is a chance to get his life back on track.
Lee served more than four years in the Navy as a gunner's mate mostly overseas. He was awed by his experiences.
Lee said, "I've seen movies, I've seen books and magazines and stuff. Nothing compares to seeing it first hand."
When it was all over, Lee couldn't wait to get home. He expected a hero's welcome. But he hasn't had a job in a few years. And he barely has a home. Lee lives in his parents' garage.
"Coming home now is what I compare to people coming home from Vietnam," he said.
It's why the community support at the Armory meant so much. Volunteers donated their time and services to offer meals and clothes. Vets got leads on jobs.
These basic necessities are things Lee has gone so long without.
It's not because he hasn't tried. Lee thinks the government hasn't served him as well as he served it. Lee believes President Obama has done the best he could in the past four years.
Lee said, "He has a little bit more understanding than Gov. Romney does but I don't think Gov. Romney would consider veteran benefits."
KEPR asked, "Does that make you nervous, does that scare you?"
"It does, quite a bit," he said.
Still, Lee is optimistic. He hopes to get a job and a place of his own.
If all else fails, he may re-enlist and going the Navy again.
"I was able to really connect with the people I was working with compared to now where it's hard to find a job," he said.
The National Armory hopes to serve as many as a thousand needy veterans before winter.
More free events are coming soon to Pendleton and Yakima.
From haircuts, to shaves to flu shots. It was all free. Dental work, eye care and basic medical exams were also performed. No strings attached.
For Lee McDole, it is a chance to get his life back on track.
Lee served more than four years in the Navy as a gunner's mate mostly overseas. He was awed by his experiences.
Lee said, "I've seen movies, I've seen books and magazines and stuff. Nothing compares to seeing it first hand."
When it was all over, Lee couldn't wait to get home. He expected a hero's welcome. But he hasn't had a job in a few years. And he barely has a home. Lee lives in his parents' garage.
"Coming home now is what I compare to people coming home from Vietnam," he said.
It's why the community support at the Armory meant so much. Volunteers donated their time and services to offer meals and clothes. Vets got leads on jobs.
These basic necessities are things Lee has gone so long without.
It's not because he hasn't tried. Lee thinks the government hasn't served him as well as he served it. Lee believes President Obama has done the best he could in the past four years.
Lee said, "He has a little bit more understanding than Gov. Romney does but I don't think Gov. Romney would consider veteran benefits."
KEPR asked, "Does that make you nervous, does that scare you?"
"It does, quite a bit," he said.
Still, Lee is optimistic. He hopes to get a job and a place of his own.
If all else fails, he may re-enlist and going the Navy again.
"I was able to really connect with the people I was working with compared to now where it's hard to find a job," he said.
The National Armory hopes to serve as many as a thousand needy veterans before winter.
More free events are coming soon to Pendleton and Yakima.
