Our streets are filled. Filled with people. People that took an oath to protect us. Protect our country and our freedom. These people are homeless. These people are starving and sick with no place to go and no one who cares. Grandpa, grandma, mom, and dad. Brother and sister. Son and daughter. Family and friends. Most of all, they are called Ours. America's children, you could say. American veterans. Said with the upmost respect no matter the rank. We all know one or are kin to one. We all have placed the responsibility of protecting us and the ones we love in their hands. We all depend on that person... that solider, to uphold that responsibility to the best of their ability.  They do that. They come home after mission complete, to our hugs and kisses. Our praise of a job well done. An "atta boy." All the pats on the back stops. The noise dies down and fades away. Life goes on for us as usual. The solider, now a veteran, is left standing. Alone. The life he or she has known and lived for the past few years has changed. It's something that they aren't used to now and don't know. Anxiety and depression seep in. Panic. Things around them are so different from how they were before signing that paper. The paper that gave their life to protect ours. They are forgotten. Faded away and no longer as important now that their purpose has been served. They need help. Help with housing and food. They need help with medical expenses and therapy services. They need transportation to get around. They need someone to check in on them at least once a week. They need us. They need America to "repay the favor." Mother America has to save her children.

There's a calling for immediate, mandatory support for every veteran returning home. No veteran should ever be left behind after serving this nation. We owe them more than gratitude — we owe them care, stability, and dignity. Letting them know that their country has their back and will provide what they need is a well-deserved benefit that we can give them. It's the right thing to do. 

The following changes to become standard, guaranteed, and non‑negotiable for all who serve:

1. Guaranteed access to comprehensive medical and mental health care
No veteran should wait months or years for treatment, therapy, or medication. Not medical care that prescribes medication to cover the problem. Our vets come home with mental disorders and issues that need to be addressed and helped. Not covered up with a pill. They need access to medical staff and services specializing in the issues that our military are walking around with. In depth therapy need to be a mandatory part of the services they get. All the medical staff need to communicate with each other about each step being taken in each veteran's case, everyone needs to be aware of what is going on with their medical care. There is no excuse not to. 

2. Mandatory housing for returning service members
A safe place to live should be the bare minimum for those who protected our homes. There are subdivisions, apartments, tiny homes, new neighborhoods, and old mills and buildings being renovated and remodeled all over.  Give our vets a warm and cool place to live. They do not deserve to be walked past on the streets. They have more than earned a good and clean home. A roof over their head that they don't have to worry about. They could live in small communities, close to each other. Brothers in arms. 

3. Food security for all veterans
No veteran should ever go hungry in the country they defended. In a country that has an abundance of food. Food that gets thrown away daily. Wasted. Give it to someone else. Noone should go hungry anywhere in America. Especially our military. Grocery stores need to stand forth and offer so much of groceries a week for each vet. On their return home, they should receive food stamps. Enough to sustain them each month. They should NOT be starving or worrying about their next meal. 

4. Reliable transportation assistance
Veterans must be able to reach medical appointments, jobs, and essential services. Bus vouchers, gas vouchers, or gas cards should be given for transportation to where they need to go. A specialized transportation system could be put in place that constantly runs just for picking up and running veterans to their destinations. Or a transportation system like Uber, but just for veterans.

5. Weekly wellness check‑ins
A simple call or visit can prevent crisis, loneliness, and tragedy. Mandatory calls at least twice a week and one visit to ensure quality of life and to check on the vet's environment should be happening. Knowing that someone cares about you is a positive thing for someone that feels like they have no one. Friendly conversation and a genuine smile can change a person's whole day into something good. Companionship is a necessity for everyone. 

6. Streamlined access to benefits
The system should not be a maze. Veterans deserve support, not red tape. They deserve to not worry about health care, housing, food, and finances when they retire from our military. They have done their due diligence. They have served and served us well. They should not have to pay for any of these benefits. They have earned them with their sacrifice of blood for some and life for others. 

Our veterans stood for us. Now it is our turn to stand for them.
Your signature is a voice for those who served — a voice demanding that America care for her own. Let them know how appreciated they are. America's, thank you needs to be heard. They made a huge and important choice when they signed up to defend our country and protect each American in the United States. They didn't have to. They chose to... let America choose to support and protect them. It's the right thing to do. It's the ONLY thing to do. Let your signature show that you care about and appreciate their service and commitment. Let it show that they are not and will never be forgotten. Ever.