It’s not a good day to be a veteran in Wisconsin.

In what could most accurately be considered a betrayal by the Wisconsin state lawmakers, the Veterans Housing And Recovery Program in Green Bay was shut out of the budget. It will close in September (story HERE) and leave struggling Green Bay veterans without a valuable resource.

Do you want to know how I’m so sure? It’s because I’ve used these services before.

Many of you know I’m a struggling veteran. When I’ve been without housing, it’s VHRP that has reached out to me. And it’s not just the actual shelter, it’s the wrap around services as well. If used properly, these can get a veteran back on their feet sooner than later.

Now, many veterans who might need these services in the future won’t be able to use that ladder to climb out of their tough times.

It hurts. And once again makes me reflect on my military service,

It feels like people only want us on Veterans Day, when there are balloons and free food. They’ll take pictures with us and then send us on our way. Back into the darkness alone.

This is why suicide rates for veterans remain high. Why suffer when no one cares?

We can hope that what services are left can fill the void. But there are no guarantees.

If you happen to be reading this and actually care, the best thing you can do is tell your local, state, and federal officials to take steps that will actually help veterans. And to move beyond words and take actions that will ensure all of our brothers and sisters have a place to call home.