Vets demand more protection for homeless

MIAMI, Dec. 31 (UPI) -- Veterans in Miami say the slaying of two homeless vets means the city must do more to protect men and women who fought for their country.

Army veteran Ernest Holman, 67, was found beaten to death Nov. 17 behind a bus bench, while Marine veteran Todd Hill, 41, was bludgeoned as he slept on a Miami waterfront bench Dec, 26, The Miami Herald reported Wednesday.

Members of VetsUnited.org want the city and county to declare a state of emergency and provide more shelters for veterans, said the group's president, Charles Buford.

"'Needlessly, veterans are dying in our streets, and we need to provide intervention for them," Buford said, adding, "We will leave no soldier behind, no matter what the battlefield may be."