To Howard Levine and Karen, for without Howard there would be no shelter.
Tom Sobel and Meta, in the shelter’s hours of need you both were there, and you will never be forgotten.
Rich Griffin, you paid the price for your involvement and yet you still came back for more.
Joe Albanese, your knowledge of what was needed at the time and how you built the shelter brick by brick will always be remembered.
Danny Hoveniesian, the right guy at the right time.
David Mamet, who took a dream and made it come alive.
Jim Frangione, for steering us towards Mamet in our hour of need George Mendoza and Monica, your efforts will always be remembered.
Lori Ruben and Jim Yates, your efforts helped to build the dream.
Don Belcher, your way with numbers helped steer the boat.
Scott Charlton and the operations staff, there are too many to name here, but you did your best and it helped.
John Nolan and the security staff, you kept us safe and that was a constant battle.
Amos Marshall and the crew of “SAC” you know who you are, thanks.
Ron Masse, you always were there, thru thick and thin. Court Street’s McGyver.
Mark Helberg , the other founder. There are no words of thanks that can be said, as most of what is not written, you already know.
Peter Murray, one of the incorporators of the original Vietnam Veterans Workshop, you always had something to say.
Jeff, Scott and the others who participated in the beginning, hope you’re all doing well. We never did get those rings.
Tempie Thompson, you brought light and sanity into a very dark tunnel.
Al Bitzer and the supply crew. You kept us fed, clothed and well stocked.
Andrew Cuomo, your help was instrumental in housing programs for the homeless veteran.
Michael Merrit, you will never be forgotten.
5
Nicky Likely and the Gold Star Mothers, thank you all.
The Atlantic Theatre Company, and especially to Patty Wolfe, you did the impossible.
Peace Foxx, who from time to time and added his own two cents.
John Gray, your advice is still working with me.
Joe Couette from the VFW and your lovely bride, thanks for the help.
Tommy Lyons, you came when the time was rough and helped steer us away from the reef.
Andy Card, you helped put us on the national map.
John Wilder. Thanks for the popcorn, candy and the drink at the movies.
Bill Pitman, you never call.
Ron Drach, Sid Danials, Dick Synder, Greg Bresser, Tom Keefe, Perry Tilman and all the other cardinals of the veterans’ community, I owe you plenty.
Harold Russell, your memory still lives on within me.
To all the others, you are just too numerous to mention. You know who you are and it’s not a reflection on you that your name is not in here. I ran out of space to thank everyone.
Ken Smith
6
Table of Contents
Foreword by General Colin L. Powell ............................................................................................................ 9
Introduction ......................................................................................................................................................... 10
Chapter 1: Sketches of War ............................................................................................................................ 12
Chapter 2: Extension Cord Sully ................................................................................................................... 20
Chapter 3: Town Meeting and the Fight .................................................................................................... 27
Chapter 4: Cable TV and the FBI .................................................................................................................. 32
Chapter 5: Madison Square Garden ............................................................................................................ 36
Chapter 6: Coffins at DOL ................................................................................................................................ 42
Chapter 7: When Johnny Comes Marching Home(less) ...................................................................... 45
Chapter 8: Tribes ................................................................................................................................................ 53
Chapter 9: The Rump Rangers’ Secret Meetings .................................................................................... 59
Chapter 10: JD (Just Dog) ................................................................................................................................ 65
Chapter 11: Bravo Company Black Cats .................................................................................................... 69
Chapter 12: 5858 PAPA and the Quarry at Mamet’s Farm ................................................................ 73
Chapter 13: Thanksgiving Turkeys ............................................................................................................. 79
Chapter 14: The EPA Raids Court Street ................................................................................................... 81
Chapter 15: Conference Room Shootout at Brown Rudnick ............................................................. 91
Chapter 16: HUDVET and the Meeting with Andrew Cuomo ........................................................... 97
Chapter 17: The Steam Company and Our Heating Bill .................................................................... 108
Chapter 18: The Birth of Vet Tech ............................................................................................................. 115
Chapter 19: General Colin Powell Delivers the Commencement Address ................................. 118
Chapter 20: Joe Moakley Meeting and the SRO Deal .......................................................................... 121
Chapter 21: The Bunker and the Plan to Help Veterans with PTSD ............................................. 129
Chapter 22: All Hands on Deck for the Homeless Vet (A Fun Fundraiser) ................................ 136
Chapter 23: Point of Light #142 and the White House Meeting .................................................... 143
7
Chapter 24: Air Force One ............................................................................................................................ 147
Chapter 25: Oliver Stone Visits the Shelter ............................................................................................ 151
Chapter 26: Stand Down and the San Diego Trip ................................................................................ 155
Chapter 27: Cookie Man ................................................................................................................................ 160
Chapter 28: John’s In Trouble ..................................................................................................................... 167
Chapter 29: The Bank Robbery .................................................................................................................. 171
Chapter 30: Time to Move OnAnd New Ideas .................................................................................. 174
8
Foreword by General Colin L. Powell
9