Killeen's homeless have nowhere to go, and that means dozens, possibly hundreds of our veterans are stuck out in the cold.
More than 62 thousand American veterans are living on the streets.
Nickie, a 58-yr old Vietnam Marine veteran, is one of them, but the Fort Hood area doesn't have any homeless shelters, turning cold nights into life or death battles that leave Nickie wondering.
"Am I going to make it until tomorrow? Am I going to make it, straight up," said Nickie with tears in his eyes.
A few warming centers open, but only when temperatures dip below freezing, and as soon as Killeen Mayor Dan Corbin was elected, he made his opinion about that known.
"City council is very concerned about the homeless situation in general, and we look forward to making improvements in Killeen within the next year," said Corbin.
Christian Assistance Network is one of several agencies working with Heritage House Central Texas to open a shelter in Killeen, possibly by next winter.
Alvin Dillard with the Christian Assistance Network says, "We need that in our community, but it is a community problem, and it's a community issue that needs to be worked through. If our community gets together, anything is possible."
The city has also established committees that are working to determine the extent of the homeless crisis.
"We know there is a problem, and we are committed to doing something about it," said Mayor Corbin.
For now, Nickie feels like he and hundreds like him are ignored and forgotten.
"We're here, please help us," he said.
It's a call for help from those who were willing to give all to help the rest of us.
Contact The Christian Assistance Network: (254)338-8777
Central Texas Veterans Health Care System has staff that works with homeless Veterans to get them connected to VA and community resources.
Any homeless Veteran needing help may call VA's Homeless Veterans Hotline at 1-877-4AID-VET (1-877-424-3838).
Reporter: Sophia Stamas sstamas@kcentv.com
Photographer: Chris Buford cbuford@kcentv.com
