Assignment 1

Luce, Travis                                                                                                                                             1
English 105


          Often times we find ourselves down on our luck but when it happens our bad luck just happens to be having a bad day, just missing tickets to your favorite band or even something as trivial as being stuck in a traffic jam. Although most people would complain about these things there are also people who are down on their luck but do not complain one bit. These people are homeless people like John, whom is a Vietnam War veteran who is now living on the streets of Los Angeles.

          "So John," I began "how are you man? Whats it like living on the rough streets of LA every night?"
          "It's not as bad as every depicts it to be. I get to meet new people as they pass by everyday as they pass by and I get to live right under the shadow of Gods' house." John replies as he points to the church across the street.
          "You said you get to meet new people as they pass by, how do you think these people receive you when you first begin talking to them?" I ask.
          "Well, not so well at first" John chuckles, "I feel as if at first they're sort of scared of me or want nothing to do with me, but I'm harmless."
          "I'm sure that puts a damper on your spirits if they are just shutting you down like that. If you don't mind me pushing further John, how did you end up here?" I continue.
          "Let's see. . .I grew up in the area of LA with my parents who were fairly well off but always busy and my older brother Jim, but I always called him Jimmy. Jimmy was like my best friend, he took care of me, took me places, and just in general was like a parent when ours weren't around."
           "Right, and where is Jimmy now?"
           "Well," John begins tearing up now, "unfortunately when Jimmy turned 18 the Vietnam War was in full swing and he decided to join. About a year later we received the news from two military officers at our door. . .he was gone." Johns tears began flowing.
           "I'm sorry if I hit a soft spot John." I reply, handing him some tissue, "but that still doesn't answer our question of how you ended up here."
           "Ah, yes, I was getting around to it" He laughs a little, dabbing at his tears, "After the news of his death there was this sort of motivation in me that made me want to join the military and get revenge of sorts on the people who did that to my brother. After having my father sign the waiver because I was the last son, I was shipped off to Army boot-camp where I became a sniper. Some 70-some odd confirmed kills and multiple firefights later, the war was over and I was back home."
           "Not so harmless after all, eh?" I joke.
           "Haha, I suppose not," He replies "Anyway, after I got home from the war there was something different about being home. People treated us veterans like garbage. They would literally spit and walk all over us without a care for what we just did or experienced."
           "I see, often times we hear about veterans having to deal with these hardships and then the government not giving a care in the world for not only their service but them as a human being."
           "Exactly." John says.

            It is not uncommon to see homeless people on the streets that were veterans. In fact, 23% of the homeless population are veterans and with new laws being implemented such as US cities imposing bans on feeding the homeless or even making it illegal to be homeless at all. Thankfully for people like John, there are others who are trying to help the homeless by introducing a Homeless Bill of Rights to state legislatures.
            I seem to recall a time where I was walking home from a day at Millikan High School, there was a young homeless man who could have been no older then 19 at the time sitting in front of the Rite Aid. Trying to keep to myself I try to walk past without noticing him when suddenly he looks up from what he was doing and smiles saying "What's up brother man, how are you today?". I was taken back from the positivity and replied "Nothing much, how about yourself?". We continued to carry on a conversation until it was time for me to head home and it wasn't until later in the afternoon that I realized not all homeless people are bad, as some stereotypes like to point out. I continued to see the young man as I walked home everyday for the next year and not once did he ever ask me for money, food, or anything of the sorts. I eventually asked him why he was so positive all the time and  he replied that he just wanted someone to talk to, for someone to treat him like a human being.
            Being down on your luck is one thing but there are people who have it worse who just got into a bad situation, whether they be a veteran or just a kid who wants someone to talk to. These homeless people are human beings are should be treated as such instead of imposing crazy laws just because lady luck isn't with them.