Gulf War veteran left homeless after heart surgery details how he rebuilt his life from ‘square one’

Gulf War veteran Thomas Garrett Jr returned to celebratory parades after serving, but became homeless following heart surgery. He has since used U.S.VETS support to rebuild his life, in a story highlighted by a campaign raising awareness of veteran homelessness ahead of Veterans Day.

U.S.VETS provides housing, food and career assistance, supporting more than 20,000 veterans and their families each year. The organisation says it has served over 500,000 meals, provided 418,000 nights of shelter and helped 3,000 veterans into permanent housing; its executive director says the transition to civilian life can leave veterans unsure where to turn.