I've worked the streets of San Diego not only as an EMT, but as a clinic nurse. 85% of my patient population was homeless. We had amazing resources for all of them. 90% of those homeless were Vets. I had to give up...because no matter what I did...these same people CHOSE to stay homeless on the streets. I made sure they had new socks, donated shoes, and their medication...but I not once bent over backwards again for them. It's a state of mind. Mental illness, alcoholism, drug abuse, and plain simple stubborness keeps these men and women out there.