Group brainstorms ways to meet veterans' needs

Years after the Vietnam War, it was discovered 40 percent of the nation's homeless were Vietnam veterans.

It is this type of statistic a group of about 50 people who met in Arlington Heights on Thursday hope to prevent today.

"There are gaps that can be filled and that's why we're here," said Sheila Schultz, former Wheeling village president.

Schultz and Mount Prospect resident John Brennan mobilized residents and support agencies in the Northwest suburbs to help returning veterans. The group's first brainstorming meeting was Thursday night at Forest View Educational Center in Arlington Heights.

Barb Tsutsumi spoke at the meeting. Tsutsumi's son, Dan, will return home from the Marines in a few weeks and start applying to colleges.

Tsutsumi said veterans should be given special consideration when it comes to applying to college.

"They shouldn't be judged alone on an ACT score they took when they were 17 years old," said Tsutsumi, an Arlington Heights resident.

Huddled around tables in small groups, people made lists of items and services veterans will need once they return home. Ideas from insurance aid to baking cakes and pies for the veterans were discussed.

Other ideas included reaching out to Hispanic families, stress management, tutoring and computer training.

"What about reaching out to families left at home?" said Sherrie Kirmse of Rolling Meadows. "It's difficult to be the person left at home."

Joan Lampert, coordinator of the Maine East High School Family Center, raised her hand after the lists here made.

"We all missed one huge thing," Lampert said. "A lot of these kids are coming back and self-medicating. We need to include alcohol and drug abuse counseling."

For more information on the group, go to www.support4vets.com.