Guzman's Blog

Being homeless two times in my life is something I hope no Veteran has to go through. After getting my award, I found myself wanting to do more than sit around the house watching tv. I still had a vision of getting back on top where I once was. I knew this would not be easy. I started working part time at a cabinet shop. I was approached by a vice president of a company who was finishing a project for Cal Trans. She ask if I was a disable Veteran, I replied yes. She said they needed a DVBE to do the maintenance contract for the building. At this time I did not know what a DVBE was. I got certified as a DVBE for the State of California and was in charge of the Cal Trans building in San Bernadino. This was my first contract with the state. I was seeing that if you have faith in yourself you can overcome anything in life including homelessness.                                                                                                                                                                                     More to come

I don't want to be one! I have been waiting to tell my story. I will begin with a letter I wrote to President Clinton on September 29, 1997.                                                                                                                                                                 Dear Mr. President,                                                                                                                                                                                                                       I would like to express my appreciation for the professional service I am receiving from the Veterans Administration. I am currently a 100% disabled Veteran with a service connected disability; bipolar syndrome.                                                                                                                                                         The proudest day of my life was when I was promoted from Boot Camp to PFC in the United States Marine Corps. I hoped to serve my country in a honorable way, however; my career was cut short by learning I had this devastating illness. I did not want to believe I had this illness. I wanted to make father and mother proud. As a result, I took a 10% disability award so I would get my Honorable Discharge which meant so much to me at the time and still does.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       After one year of my discharge I received a gunshot wound through my right arm and into my side because a person brandished a weapon at me and fired. At this time, I was in a manic state and did not know the full effects of this illness which is inside myself. In this state one does not know prudence or tolerance; I did not know my state of mind did not concern itself with life.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  I got through life with the aid of my father, mother and the Marine Corps as they taught me to take on life on its good or bad terms. I learned to be a carpenter and went to school on the GI bill. As my illness progressed to a point that I was unable to work as President of Vancraft Inc. a custom wood shop my father purchased for me, I ended up walking the streets. Before my father died, he told me to promise him that I would go to the VA for help to deal with my illness. I thought I was alone when he died with nowhere to go. I went to the West Los Angeles VA Medical Center. It was at this juncture that my life turn around.                                                                                                                                                     I still have my good days and bad, but I also know I am not alone. There are people who care! Without their help I would not be alive today and each day would be anther day filled with hopelessness, pain and suffering. I thank God for this great nation that keeps its promise to its Veterans that serve their country in an honorable way. In this connection, and for the assistance demonstrated, I would like to take this opportunity to thank the following government officials who acted on my my behalf.                                                                                                                                                                                           Now I know that I can go on with my life with people who care and provide help to people and helping me on my way to success. God Bless America!                                                                                                                                                                                                                                This is only the beginning.