Bruce Newell was a vet; he was one of our classmates, and he died alone. Melanie Ave from the South Pine Times authored a news piece about Bruce in 2006, describing his last year of life, addressing his plight and confronting the tragedy of homeless people. This article, can be found at: http://www.sptimes.com/2006/12/04/news_pf/Southpinellas/A_place_of_misfortune.shtml
* Homelessness is a social, economic, mental health, substance abuse and health care problem. If you’re interested in this complex issue, contact http://www.va.gov/homeless/ to learn about VA programs for Veterans and to find out what you, your neighbors, and your community can do to help Veterans, and others who are homeless or at imminent risk of becoming homeless.
I just read the article on Bruce and I cried. I knew Bruce when he first moved into our area and went to Sunnyside school with him. We were best friends in grade school and my brother Butch and Bruce and I went on many adventures together. I have some pictures of him when he would come to our house. I remember that he was always funny and always wanting to do something exciting. He was not real happy at home although his mother was very nice and his sister Madeline was nice too. He did not get along well with his step=father so loved to come to our house where he felt welcomed. My mother was always trying to feed him cause she said he always looked hungry. We lost contact with each other as we went our seperate ways in jr. high and high school. It is so sad to know he died alone and homeless.
In memory of Bruce:I am very involved with homeless vets in our area. Our American Legion and VFW work closely with the shelter and have even built a home for a disabled vet in the Wheaton area.(see NEWS WEEK july 4 2005). If any one is interested in helping homeless veterans I can verify the credability of the organization listed below.. They have just opened a home for homless women veterans right by my office. Women make up 10% of the homless veterans in America...and that's before thousands come back in the fall. Please call me if you have any questions. Thank you, Jim Novak Website: helpaveteran.org My number is 630.510.3260.
Diane...thank you for calling to light Bruce Newell's tragedy in life and death. I remember Bruce from his HS picture, but did not know him then. So many of our combat veterans have major problems returning to the daily society that we often take for granted. The Veterans Administration is overwhelmed. Groups like Vietnam Veterans, American Legion, and VFW do the best they can...but it is most disheartening. Bruce is remembered for his honor and service to his country.
This is what makes this website so special; we can't help Bruce anymore but, with the awareness of homelessness, we can volunteer to make a difference in the life of another vet. Good for you, Jim, for your commitment to work with this very complex issue.
Just read the article about Bruce. Worked with him for a short time at a small company ( can`t remember the name)_ So sad that anyone has to go through life like he did.
I did not know Bruce. But we all owe such a debt of gratitude to our veterans, past and present. Those of us who never served in the military just have no idea of the sacrifices they and their families make. My thanks and admiration to them all for their service. Especially in the Vietnam era, young men faced terrible choices, and returning veterans of that war were so often misunderstood and mistreated.
Diane Goserud (Anderson)
Bruce Newell was a vet; he was one of our classmates, and he died alone. Melanie Ave from the South Pine Times authored a news piece about Bruce in 2006, describing his last year of life, addressing his plight and confronting the tragedy of homeless people. This article, can be found at: http://www.sptimes.com/2006/12/04/news_pf/Southpinellas/A_place_of_misfortune.shtml
* Homelessness is a social, economic, mental health, substance abuse and health care problem. If you’re interested in this complex issue, contact http://www.va.gov/homeless/ to learn about VA programs for Veterans and to find out what you, your neighbors, and your community can do to help Veterans, and others who are homeless or at imminent risk of becoming homeless.
Gary A. Lattin
What a sad, sad story...If there is a classmate out there that needs some help, let me know.
Jon M. Meade
Another Vet, another tradegy! I had NO idea.
Semper Fi, Bruce.
LaWana D. Bisset (Lampert)
I just read the article on Bruce and I cried. I knew Bruce when he first moved into our area and went to Sunnyside school with him. We were best friends in grade school and my brother Butch and Bruce and I went on many adventures together. I have some pictures of him when he would come to our house. I remember that he was always funny and always wanting to do something exciting. He was not real happy at home although his mother was very nice and his sister Madeline was nice too. He did not get along well with his step=father so loved to come to our house where he felt welcomed. My mother was always trying to feed him cause she said he always looked hungry. We lost contact with each other as we went our seperate ways in jr. high and high school. It is so sad to know he died alone and homeless.
James D. Novak
In memory of Bruce:I am very involved with homeless vets in our area. Our American Legion and VFW work closely with the shelter and have even built a home for a disabled vet in the Wheaton area.(see NEWS WEEK july 4 2005). If any one is interested in helping homeless veterans I can verify the credability of the organization listed below.. They have just opened a home for homless women veterans right by my office. Women make up 10% of the homless veterans in America...and that's before thousands come back in the fall. Please call me if you have any questions. Thank you, Jim Novak Website: helpaveteran.org My number is 630.510.3260.
Michael E. Perrault
Diane...thank you for calling to light Bruce Newell's tragedy in life and death. I remember Bruce from his HS picture, but did not know him then. So many of our combat veterans have major problems returning to the daily society that we often take for granted. The Veterans Administration is overwhelmed. Groups like Vietnam Veterans, American Legion, and VFW do the best they can...but it is most disheartening. Bruce is remembered for his honor and service to his country.
Diane Goserud (Anderson)
This is what makes this website so special; we can't help Bruce anymore but, with the awareness of homelessness, we can volunteer to make a difference in the life of another vet. Good for you, Jim, for your commitment to work with this very complex issue.
Bonnie J. Teigen (Ekeroth)
Just read the article about Bruce. Worked with him for a short time at a small company ( can`t remember the name)_ So sad that anyone has to go through life like he did.
Claudia S. Carley (Droel)
I did not know Bruce. But we all owe such a debt of gratitude to our veterans, past and present. Those of us who never served in the military just have no idea of the sacrifices they and their families make. My thanks and admiration to them all for their service. Especially in the Vietnam era, young men faced terrible choices, and returning veterans of that war were so often misunderstood and mistreated.