Ronan VFW finds shelter for homeless veteran
Hey savvy news reader! Thanks for choosing local.
You are now reading
1 of 3 free articles.
RONAN — Johnney Reynolds is a Vietnam War veteran from the Flathead Reservation area. He is also homeless.
“(The homeless veterans) are the hardest,” said Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 5652 service officer Bert Todd. “There’s always a reason why they’re homeless. They have to be put in a place where they’re hurt, cold or in pain — pain of the mind.”
Todd’s statement above regarding “pain of the mind” was in deference to post-traumatic stress disorder. Far from uncommon, Todd said PTSD is a reality for most veterans.
According to the Mayo Clinic, PTSD is a mental health condition triggered by a terrifying event. Symptoms include flashbacks, nightmares and severe anxiety, as well as uncontrollable thoughts about the event.
A recent study performed by Stanford University showed Iraq War veterans could see PTSD rates as high as 35 percent.
Reynolds might have some degree of PTSD. This may have contributed to his homelessness, as PTSD seems to be the common denominator for homeless veterans.
“PTSD is present in most veterans. They all have different means of dealing with it. The ones who don’t handle it become homeless or institutionalized,” Todd said.
Todd, a Korean War veteran, has worked to help veterans through Ronan’s VFW for the past 10 years. He’s helped three homeless veterans find shelter in the past year alone.
Beyond assisting vets and their families with burials, military benefits and veterans’ assistance funding, Todd also helps to organize ceremonies to honor fallen soldiers, their families and the country as a whole.
“It’s all about helping veterans and veterans’ families,” Todd said.
Reynolds lived on the island in Ronan City Park for quite some time. For whatever reason, he was climbing a tree and fell, injuring his back.
Todd said Reynolds was sent to a hospital in Missoula and was treated. After being discharged from the hospital, Reynolds’ benefits through Veterans Assistance were cut off for an unknown reason.
This reduced his monthly income to $80 per month. He lived in Hot Springs for some time and then found housing in one of Ronan’s nursing homes before becoming homeless once more.
Reynolds spent most of his days in Ronan, walking up and down the streets. He would go from coffee shop to coffee shop with a portable coffee mug and chew the fat with local residents.
“I thought he was a nice guy,” said Ronan’s VFW Hall Commander Dan Hall.
Todd tried to find Reynolds housing for several months, but as the weather began to change, many at the VFW hall became concerned about Reynolds’ wellbeing, as he was sleeping outside.
Todd gave Reynolds a jacket and sleeping bag he attained from a stand-down. A stand-down, Todd explained, is a building registered to house surplus goods from Washinton, D.C. These goods are used to support veterans and their families. Even with the jacket and sleeping bag, he was still concerned for Reynolds.
“It’s getting colder every day,” Todd said.
Unable to find local housing, Todd contacted social worker liasion Shad Barrows from Miles City’s homeless veterans program.
“From there, we tried working together to find a solution to get the veteran somewhere,” he said.
The homeless veterans program in Miles City has several solutions for the homeless in Montana, and will take advantage of state and community programs as well.
However, due to the extreme heat in the southern states this year, many homeless people moved north to get out of the elements.
With winter approaching, shelters are starting to be flooded with the homeless seeking permanent housing in winter.
Thankfully, Barrows was able to find Reynolds some housing in time for winter.
“Hopefully there will be a long-term solution,” Barrows said. “We’ll probably look at some other solutions out there, like housing and apartments for the elderly and disabled, in the near future.”
Barrows reported that Reynolds is in good spirits and good health, living in the Miles City area, but Barrows wouldn’t take credit for any of the positive work.
“The real heroes are the two guys in the community,” he said. “They did an amazing job of working with the guy, helping keep in touch with Mr. Reynolds and organize transportation.”
Most homeless do not have means of transportation or shelter.
As the weather began to change and the temperature began to get colder, Veteran Warrior Society Commander Dan Jackson took Reynolds in for several days while transportation was organized.
The disabled assistance van is a transportation van used by the VA and VFW in Ronan to transport veterans to and from treatment for any combat wounds, PTSD or injuries sustained during times of service.
This van drove Reynolds from Ronan to Miles City where housing was available.
The job means a lot to Todd.
“He’s got a place to stay,” Todd said. “He’s not cold at night; he’s warm. He’s not hungry; he’s got a full belly. That’s what it’s all about.
“To me, there’s no creed or color involved when you’re talking about vets. We all bleed the same. That’s why I help.”
