By: Unknown on 19:32

Vet uses van to make sure homeless vets don't freeze

Vet looks out for the homeless.(Photo: WCSH)Military veterans are more than twice as likely as other Americans to become chronically homeless.Roger Goodoak is trying to change that statistic by bringing awareness to the greater Portland area about homeless veterans.Roger, a former homeless man himself, knows what life is like living on the streets. After spending 14 years in the U.S. Navy, he found himself with no direction in life.With assistance from the Veterans Administration, he finally got the help he needed. Once he was back on his feet, he decided to give other veterans a helping hand.He spends his days in his van, which he calls his office, which is filled with gloves, warm socks, blankets and winter coats.Watch the video above to see Roger hit the road to help others."I've had people walk up to me saying I've been waiting six weeks to get a coat - that's where I come in for veterans. I give them a coat," he said.Through this work Roger not only helps others, he also helps himself. He said it has given him the direction in life he didn't have when his days in the service were over.If you'd like to help out Roger and his mission, you can visit the Maine Homeless Veterans Alliance Facebook page.Here at the USA TODAY network, not only do we want to provide you with the current events of the day, but also a little dose of inspiration while you're getting your news fix. Inspiration Nation is our way of providing you with that jolt of good news to bring a smile to your day.140 lbs later, man achieves New Year's resolution100-yr-old exercise instructor puts the rest of us to shameThis 'old' mom runs so fast, she may be Olympics-boundFamily leaves suburbs behind to help trailer parkSelf-taught 7-yr-old shocks family with bagpipe skillsParaplegic bride loses 192 lbs, walks on wedding day