Veteran Homeless

Veterans face unique housing challenges that ripple through lives and families. In Michiana, the gap between need and available, affordable units is painfully real. This episode explores practical steps to find stable housing and rebuild the sense of home many of us carry with us from service.

We begin by laying out the common barriers: rising rents, credit challenges, lingering service-related injuries, and the mental health struggles that complicate steady employment and stable tenancy. Rural and urban landscapes create different roadblocks—transportation and isolation in smaller towns, competition and higher costs in cities. Transitional moments like ETS, post-deployment, and retirement are high-risk periods where small setbacks can become long-term instability.

Next we take a close look at local supports. Organizations like FreedomSystem.org and Mishawaka Troop Town work to connect Veterans to immediate shelter, case management, and community. Miller’s Veterans program at the South Bend shelter provides structured support that helps people regain footing, though funding, space, and staffing remain constant challenges.

We also offer practical actions. Veterans should connect with county VSOs and nonprofit case managers who know HUD-VASH, SSVF, and local voucher systems. Consider creative housing: shared homes, micro-housing units, and modular builds can provide quicker, affordable options. Family and support networks remain vital—sometimes the path to stability is a shared roof while benefits and income get sorted.

For property owners and neighbors, the episode outlines how small measures make a difference: flexible lease terms, willingness to accept alternative documentation, and partnering with local groups to vet applicants. Community volunteers can help with move-in assistance, furniture drives, and mentoring.

Finally, we reflect on what “home” means: it’s more than shelter. Home is routine, safety, dignity, and a place to reconnect with purpose after service. The episode closes with resources, encouragement, and a call to action: build bridges, not barriers, and help Veterans find a place to belong.

Listen, share, and join the conversation—because when a Veteran finds a home base, the whole community is stronger.

Additional practical tips:

Start with documentation: pull together DD-214, ID, proof of income, and any medical records that support disability claims. These documents speed up eligibility reviews for VA and local programs. If your credit report has errors, dispute them early; small clerical fixes can open rental doors.

Emergency funds and stabilization: SSVF and local charities can provide short-term payments for deposits and first month’s rent. Ask about budgeting help and connections to employment supports to reduce future risk.

Housing alternatives to explore: contact community land trusts, faith-based housing cooperatives, and nonprofit developers focused on affordable units. Shared housing networks, where Veterans rotate responsibilities, can reduce costs and build peer support. Tiny home villages and modular units are increasingly used as transitional or permanent solutions.

Longer-term strategies: work with VSOs to pursue service-connected benefit claims, apply for supportive housing like HUD-VASH, and enroll in employment or training programs tied to stable income streams. Advocate for local policy changes: inclusionary zoning, landlord incentives, and funding for supportive services.

Community involvement: volunteer at shelter programs, support fundraisers for local Veteran housing initiatives, and encourage local leaders to prioritize Veteran homelessness prevention. Landlords can partner with nonprofit case managers to mitigate perceived rental risks.

Closing encouragement: finding a home base takes teamwork. If you’re a Veteran, reach out—help is available. If you’re a neighbor or community leader, consider how small, concrete steps can change a life, and let's make a difference!

Episode Summary: This week, we’re talking about how Veterans transition from mess hall meals and MREs to home cooking. From field hacks and chow hall laughs to the joy of sharing a meal with family again — this one’s all about food, memories, and connection.

“To the ones that were the best barracks cooks with the hot plate they weren’t supposed to have… to the Divine Intervention that got us through mess hall chow (unless you were Air Force)… to those that learned to eat and keep eating — to the Common Veteran!”

WE ARE THE COMMON VETERANS

Mess Hall Memories

We kick off with stories from the good ol’ days — favorite chow hall dishes, ridiculous MRE hacks, and the never-ending battle of “edible versus questionable.” From Ranger pudding to cheese crackers in beef stew, we share how troops got creative when options were limited.

Of course, every branch had its own version of “fine dining.” Army chow halls, Navy galleys, and the always-too-fancy Air Force DFACs — all came with stories, laughter, and a sense of family that food always seemed to bring.

Cooking for the Soul

After the service, many of us found that cooking became more than survival — it became therapy. A way to reconnect with family, community, and even ourselves. We talk about how food helps with healing, rebuilding, and finding a little peace in the process.

Rations to Restaurants

From field rations to Friday night favorites, we shout out local restaurants that serve the community — and maybe warn about a few “stay away from” spots too! We also talk about national chains that give back on Veterans Day like Texas Roadhouse and Applebee’s. Food tastes better when it’s shared — especially with a good cause behind it.

The Recipe Exchange

We swap recipes, share some kitchen fails, and laugh through it all. Here’s one we mention in the episode: Barracks Jalapeno Chicken

A field hack turned comfort food — ground beef, broth, veggies, and crushed cheese crackers for a crunchy twist. Quick, simple, and tastes like home (or at least the barracks on a good day).

Find more recipes and submit your own at FreedomSystem.org or tag us on social media with #CommonVeterans.

Closing Thoughts

Share a meal this week — cook something with family, invite a buddy over, or just eat together. Food connects us, heals us, and reminds us that we’re never alone.

Upcoming: Don’t miss our Remember Event on November 8, 2025 — doors open at 1700 hours (5 PM), dinner at 1830 (6:30 PM). It’s going to be one for the books.

Next Episode: A Home Base — we’ll tackle Veteran housing challenges with local Veteran Jim Metherd and explore what it takes to create stable homes at Mishawaka Troop Town.

“From rations to recipes, it’s not just about what’s on the plate — it’s about who’s at the table.”

WE ARE THE COMMON VETERANS

Season 3, Episode 15 • Produced by The Common Veterans • Find us on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and at FreedomSystem.org

The Common Veterans – Season 3, Episode 14: The Battle Within

Some battles aren’t fought on the field—they’re fought within. The Common Veterans continue their candid conversations about mental health, PTSD, and the resources available to support those dealing with invisible wounds.

Welcome Back to the Fight

Case of the Mondays: “This one’s for the Veterans who fight battles no one else sees.”

Toast of the Week: “To those who wake up and keep fighting the day—even when they don’t want to.”

Understanding the Battle Within

PTSD, trauma, and moral injury manifest differently for everyone. Invisible symptoms like anger, numbness, hyper-vigilance, and quiet guilt can creep into daily life. Stigma around mental health still keeps many Veterans from reaching out.

Honest reflections from the Common Veterans dive into what it means to live with PTSD, Shell Shock, and Neurosis. As Friedrich Nietzsche said, The hardest enemy to face is the one that lives in your head.

The Good, The Bad, and the Bar Tab

Veterans cope in various ways:

• Healthy outlets: fitness, peer groups, creative work, reconnecting with purpose.
• Unhealthy outlets: isolation, alcohol, pretending “everything’s fine.”

Humor can help—but sometimes it hides the real struggle. Remember: coping is the start of the journey, not the end.

The Front Line

The conversation turns to families and supporters—spouses, friends, parents, kids, and fellow Veterans. Trauma can impact relationships, communication, and trust. Guidance for supporters:

• Don’t try to “fix” the Veteran.
• Listen, stay patient, and take care of yourself.

Programs like 4 Vets By Vets provide safe spaces for peer connection and healing. Camaraderie goes beyond friendship—it’s about finding a brother or sister in arms.

Picking Up the Right Weapons

Therapy, group support, EMDR, mindfulness, mentoring, and faith can all play a role in healing. Veterans may resist counseling, feeling “impervious to psychoanalysis,” but modern methods sometimes help. And yes, getting your arse to church can help too.

Resources for support include:

• VA programs, local community options, Veteran nonprofits
• 988 – Veterans Crisis Line, then Press 1

Healing doesn’t make a Veteran less of a warrior—it proves you still are. Remember, “Until Valhalla” is reserved for those who die in combat; surviving doesn’t diminish your service.

Breaking the Cycle – From Surviving to Living

Trauma can echo into the next generation and community. Veteran social clubs often debate what counts as combat experience, highlighting generational differences. Breaking the cycle requires:

• Forgiveness of oneself
• Choosing to think and talk differently
• Peer leadership and mentorship

Sharing stories and guiding fellow Veterans helps create a cycle of support rather than isolation.

The Battle Isn’t Over, But You’re Not Alone

The Common Veterans roundtable wraps up with a collective message: You’re not broken. You’re battle-tested. Reach out to a brother or sister in arms, talk, and connect.

Next Episode: Episode 15 – From Rations to Recipes: Veterans share stories of mess hall meals, favorite recipes, and how they adapt cooking skills to civilian life.

Closing Toast: “To the warriors still fighting the unseen war — we see you, we stand with you, and we’ll hold the line until you’re ready to join us again… WE ARE THE COMMON VETERANS!”