I work in a Bank that is in a Grocery store. Today as I was entering the Bank there was this Paralyzed veteran in a wheelchair. He had a radio going sounded like a talk show. As I entered he said "Hi Paralyzed Vet. I looked at him and said hi. I went out for a smoke later at the other entrance to the bank because that is where the sun is. It was still chilly today but not freezing. There was another Veteran there. They were there for handouts. I had mixed feelings all day about this. I felt really bad that these 2 were paralyzed and in wheelchairs in temperatures that were in the middle 20's. But I found it offense to me to keep saying to each and every customer who came into the store Paralyzed vet. They both had expensive wheelchairs.Motorized. I know I am going to hear a lot of thoughts on how could I feel offense with them being there, but to me it was no better than any other homeless person asking for handouts. I don't think they were homeless but maybe I am wrong. Does anyone else have the same feelings? Maybe I should try to imagine myself in their situation and I would have completely different feelings.

Well, that type of thing certainly does bring about conflicting emotions doesn't it?

Am I wrong to think that a vet who has been paralyzed (or injured) during his service would be receiving benefits from the government?

My husband is a vet (as is my son) and I beleive they would be entitled to medical care for any injuries sustained during active duty. Luckily, neither was injured.

If they were legitimate veterans with injuries received while in the military, then they are receiving some type of disability. Some people will always try to play on people's emotions and good intentions by seeking sympathy and handouts. Being a veteran myself I have a different take on a variant of this subject. I've had friends die in helicopter accidents, and I feel guilty that they died and I am still here. But that's the risk involved with my line of work. I chose to join, no one forced me. The federal government takes care of those people disabled on active duty. The choice to panhandle and delve into drugs and alcohol is no ones fault but the veteran himself.

[/QUOTE]The choice to panhandle and delve into drugs and alcohol is no ones fault but the veteran himself. [QUOTE]

I gotta love how you jumped so quickly to this conclusion, HR. I don't recall momof3 mentioning drugs. Do you assume all people asking for money are druggies or drunks? Maybe you do.

Use some logic Quarkhead. If someone is panhandling they arent a member of the local COC, Lions club or the Rotary. And I'm sure they aren't living on Fifth Avenue or Rodeo Drive. They are down on their luck, or are strung out of drugs. A lot of veterans turn to drugs, why, I don't know. Veterans are a cross-section of society, the same problems in society affect the military. We've had this arguement before. I believe drugs and alochol are choice-based addictions. You do not. If you want to argue about it, start another topic.