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Chairman Honored For Efforts To End Homelessness
(November 7, 2009) |
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Jack Downing, president and CEO of Soldier On, right, presents the Soldier On ward to Navy Adm. Mike Mullen, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, in Holyoke, Mass., Oct. 29, 2009. Mullen was the first recipient of the award created to recognize a person each year who works to stem homelessness among veterans. Soldier On operates shelters as transitional homes for veterans while providing medical care, counseling and career services. DoD photo by U.S. Navy Petty Officer 1st Class Chad J. McNeeley |
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HOLYOKE, Mass., Oct. 30, 2009 – The United States has the
values, wealth, and support of its leadership to end
homelessness among veterans, the top military officer said
last night as he accepted an award for his efforts to stop
what he said is a nationwide problem.
Navy Adm. Mike Mullen, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of
Staff, said he was “humbled, thrilled and grateful” to
accept the first “Soldier On” award here last night.
“I accept this award but I really do accept it for the 2
million men and women who are serving right now, active and
reserve and guard,” Mullen said. “[They] make up the best
military we've ever had in our country.”
The Soldier On award was created as an annual recognition of
a person who has made a significant contribution to ending homelessness
among veterans. Mullen received a bronze statuette created
by internationally acclaimed sculptor Andrew DeVries, who |
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will create statuettes for future honorees, as well. |
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Homelessness among veterans has been a challenge virtually
all of Mullen's adult life, particularly post-Vietnam, he
said. It's an issue he's focused on as the country fights
two wars.
“Several years ago when these conflicts started, one of the
things I promised myself is I'd do everything I could to
make sure we didn't generate another generation of homeless
veterans, which we did when I was young,” Mullen told
reporters before accepting the award.
The chairman said he is grateful for all that Jack Downing,
founder of Soldier On and all the sponsors have done to curb
homelessness among veterans in Massachusetts. But, he said,
“the homeless veterans challenge is one that is certainly
much broader than the local challenge here. It's a national
challenge.”
The road ahead to curbing homelessness among veterans is
long, but Mullen said he's confident in the leadership,
which he described as “committed to making it work.”
“It is a great, great privilege to be able to serve with so
many who care and then to see how much difference can be
made,” he said as he accepted the award. “We do have
extraordinary support for our young men and women who serve
right now.
“I really do believe that we can solve this problem,” he
added. “We are a rich country. We are a rich people with the
values that can make sure that everyone who serves is able
to live their American dream. That's who we are as a
country.”
Soldier On is a Massachusetts-based nonprofit group that
serves homeless veterans at shelters in Leeds and
Pittsfield, Mass.
Its mission is to end homelessness among veterans by
providing permanent, sustainable, safe, and affordable
housing with support services that veterans will own and
operate.
Earlier today, the group broke ground for the construction
of 39 apartments which will be owned, managed, and occupied
by formerly homeless veterans. The project, a $6 million
dollar venture involving state, federal, and local housing
programs, will incorporate green building design and
features that will allow veterans to stay in their homes as
they age.
Soldier One will continue to provide mental health,
vocational and psychological and social services to the
veterans in residence.
Because the project is virtually debt-free, the portion of
the veteran's rent that would have supported debt service
will be deposited in individual development accounts for the
veterans to earn equity in their homes. | |
By Samantha L. Quigley
American Forces Press Service
Copyright 2009
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