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Northeast Ohioan Alan Henry, 50, Honored as Cuyahoga County's Student Veteran of the Year

Alan Henry poses for a picture at Cleveland City Hall. (Nick Castele / ideastream)
Alan Henry poses for a picture at Cleveland City Hall. (Nick Castele / ideastream)

My name is Alan Henry…and I am the 2013 student veteran honoree for Cuyahoga County…My age is 50.

Been a homeless veteran since 2002, according to VA. But I never really felt like a homeless veteran the entire time.

I went in the military just to get out of the house at 18, and then to get education benefits when I got out.

I was in signal corps...Most famous unit was the 101st Airborne Division, 501st Signal...Just missed going to Grenada. So I almost was a wartime veteran.

I was a telecommunications specialist operator...I affectionately call myself a combat typist.

I entered the Wade Park Domiciliary back in Dec. 2011...I started at Tri-C in August of last year...I’ve already completed the post-degree certificate in massage therapy.

I always thought the best way to treat persons that would have PTSD is with massage therapy...Currently the VA treats it with talk therapy and drug therapy, but I truly believe that’s not enough.

For some reason, (people) think you have to have something wrong with you to be homeless...There ain’t nothing wrong with me.

Nick Castele was a senior reporter covering politics and government for Ideastream Public Media. He worked as a reporter for Ideastream from 2012-2022.