Many veterans struggle everyday

Fargo, ND (WDAY TV) - Here at home and across the nation, we took time out today to honor the men and women who serve and those who have given the ultimate sacrifice in that service. It's a 90th anniversary of Veterans Day. Several ceremonies were held around the metro today, this one started on the Veteran’s Memorial Bridge.

Vets then marched to the Civic Center and raised the flag near the Veterans Memorial plaque. On this day of honoring vets, some are living lives many of us can never imagine, on the street. The harsh reality of war and the economy is hitting close to home.

An estimated four thousand military vets are expected to be homeless this year in Minnesota alone. That's one percent of all vets in the state. Tonight, one of them tells us what life is like.

“I was proud to serve my country back then and I’m proud of my service today.”

It's hard to realize the everyday struggles David Denomme goes through.

“A lot of people have had their lives torn up.”

The U-S Navy veteran lost his job three months ago. He's been in Fargo one month, some days with no where to go.

“Eventually lost my apartment and had to move up here to stay with relatives.”

He eats a special meal at the Dorothy Day house in Moorhead. The 49-year old is among nine other men getting help this holiday.

“I thank god they were here to help me out or hard telling where'd I be.”

“We’re always full. We're constantly full; we have to turn people away, which is really sad.”

Interim Director Brandee Drinken is impacting the lives of some forgotten vets. She's keeping them warm, helping them eat, and honoring their service to our country.

“We have another staff person who's a veteran as well so it's kinda nice. We hire the vets and we have also have vets who come in here.”

As we stop and remember, homeless vets like David Denomme say they're frustrated. Frustrated too many vets are now without a place to call home.

“Employers need to give them a shot. Reach out to the veterans than what we have.”

The agency's ultimate goal is to help these men get off the streets and move into their own houses. Its director happens to be in Kosovo with the North Dakota National Guard.