The Homeless Veteran Expo in Denver

"Is this bus going to the Stand down?" I asked. "No" said the Free Mason Elks Lady. "This bus is going to the Veteran's Exposition." She looked at me as if I should leave.

I smiled. I said  "I didn't know about the Veteran's Expo! Just my good luck!" She gasped. "You are a Veteran???" I smiled and said "Also a Combat Vet." I love shocking people with that one as well. Hahaha. The bus started moving and my son and I were off to the Veteran's Stand Down at the Armory.


When we got there...The VA staff served us coffee and donuts! They loved helping us because their claim to fame is...." WE HELP OUR VETERANS!" The Veteran's Expo is held once a year. They offered us so many goodies that I was practically stuffed before we walked in!

 I heard the announcement "If you have a home, a house or if you are living with someone....you are not considered homeless. This place is only for Veterans who have NO Home and who are living in the street, uninhabitable areas, (like cars, trucks, subway stations) who live in Tents, Shelters or Transition Housing". Half of the Veterans sighed and walked off the line.

However I felt like I won the lottery! I live in a Family Shelter. So I was fine. The VA staff passed by us again with more coffee and donuts. This is my utter weakness. I happily grabbed two donuts (one for me and one for my son) and chatted away with the other HOMELESS Veterans. This was a new day for me. I never thought that I would ever be a homeless veteran.

I met guys who lived in tents. I met guys who lived in Transition Apartments. I told them how I am waiting for my Transition Apartment in the Downtown Denver Area. My transition apartment looks like a double for the set of "SEX AND THE CITY!" I could not believe my luck! It is a new apartment complex that recently opened. The apartment complex wants their ultimate TAX BREAK. So they are moving homeless families and disabled people into their apartments. I will show you a picture when I move in. It is absolutely unbelievable! Marble Appliances and more! I will drink a glass of chardonnay the first night I move into that place.

We were talking about our pending Transition Homes and Apartments and started comparing notes about what place offers what and what neighborhoods they were in. "You should move to Decatur Place" someone said as if we have choices of where to go. "Hmm...Maybe I will" I said.

One man said "I lived there for two years and now I am homeless again." He said that he gave up on transition and permanent housing and now he prefers to live in a Tent. I said "You are just a HUD VASH Veteran waiting to happen!" The rumor is that ....if you live on the streets long enough....you will get a free House from the VA!

When the doors opened we walked in and got all kinds of goodies galore! I visited the desks with different organizations and from each table, I received a goodie bag! I got again....free coffees, free lunch, free sodas, free gift cards (from the Women's Veterans of Colorado) and just a bunch of stuff all FREE! When I finally thought it was too much....they showed me the Clothing Room.

 I walked out with a brand new War World II Trench Coat that fit me perfectly! I wear the size "very small" (petite) so it was amazing to me and everyone else that it fit at all!

I got a free Haircut (cut nicely with bangs and long layers) and everyone loved my smashing new look! Just when I thought things couldn't get better....

A Reporter walked up to me and interviewed me for the Denver Post! I gave him my email address. The next day he asked to interview me again for another Homeless Veteran Story! I was so thrilled.

All of my homeless friends saw me with brand new clothes, Victoria Secret Pajamas, A Trench Coat, I was carrying an authentic Army Hybrid Back Pack and were jealous! My son was with me and yes he caused trouble. However I was so happy that I hardly remember what he did. Someone offered to babysit for me while I got my haircut! This place was so nice and wonderful!

If you are a Homeless Veteran  in Denver, Please go the Stand Down. I wish I could go every year!