Exposure Kills Homeless Veterans

A-Z Day 6 E=Exposure

This incredible picture truly looks like somewhere over the rainbow.  This was taken by Steve Edquist at Ft. Snelling National Cemetery in Minnesota.  A final resting place of honor for our Military. (Thank you Steve for the use of your photo).

Meet Jerome William Jackson, better known as Jerry.  He was a Lance Corporal in the United States Marine Corp from 1975-1978.  This picture is the face of a homeless man, taken in 2005 at The Union Gospel Mission in St. Paul where Jerry lived for awhile off and on after being evicted from public housing.  Sadly, this Marine died of exposure on Feb 21st.  His body was found in a homemade shack in below freezing temperatures in Indian Mounds Park.  This Marine who served his country had schizophrenia, making life difficult for him and sometimes those around him; though he was well liked by those who knew him at Our Saviours' Lutheran Church.

No one should die of the elements, of exposure in this country; and most certainly not a Veteran.  But, it happens.  According to an article by Piper Hoffman of Care2, about 700 Homeless People die every year from exposure.  What a sad statistic that is.

This is a sad story, one of many and one of the reasons we do what we can here on Bridge and Beyond.  Warm hats, scarves, and mittens can save a life.  And so we knit and we crochet and we donate.  This isn't the first post I've written about the death of a homeless person.  Very recently I posted about Michael B. Williams, Jr.

However, this is also a rather heart warming story, as the community came together and took care of arrangements to honor this man, Lance Corporal Jackson.  He was buried at Ft. Snelling with military honors, a 21 gun salute and bag pipes.  Mueller Memorial provided their service for free, and arrangement were made to locate his brother, Don and bring him in for the service.  He was honored to receive the folded flag from his brothers casket.  The brothers hadn't seen each other in several years.   Communications were strained and difficult with the disease and the homelessness.  RIP Jerry.

All donations regardless of size and number are valued. All donations are appreciated. The Power of One is awesome, and when we work together The Power of One becomes The Power of Many.

Rest in Peace Michael B. Williams, Jr.

This photo is courtesy of a high school friend of mine, thank you Deborah.  The church is 1st English Lutheran Church

The event, a sad one, the memorial service for Michael B. Williams, Jr.  Mr. Williams was found frozen behind an Eastside Columbus House, near a barrel that homeless use to try and keep warm.  A 911 call alerted police when someone found his body.  February 15th, was a Sunday, one of the coldest on record in the area.  in 1920 it was 12 on this date, but this February in 2015 it was colder, and a man died of exposure.  A homeless man, named Michael Williams.  He was 50, a man of faith who attended this church.  Last year he had found lodging for awhile through The YWCA Family Shelter.

All lives matter, no one should die of exposure; but homeless do.  There is not enough lodging to take care of everyone in need, and single men are the first to be turned away when shelters are full.  Some homeless don't want to go to shelters, some feel safer in the elements.  There are many different reasons why people become homeless, regardless of those reason; we need to remember they are people and their lives matter.  There were or are someone's son, daughter, uncle, father, mother, sister, cousin, aunt, or friend.  They are God's Children, just as we are.

Homelessness does have a face, and those faces are people with names.  Please keep Michael and those who's names you don't know in your thoughts and prayers, and do what you can to help.  If not here through Bridge and Beyond, perhaps in your own communities through local shelters and churches.

All donations regardless of size and number are valued. All donations are appreciated. The Power of One is awesome, and when we work together The Power of One becomes The Power of Many.