Gregory Rich By Aimee Hyzy Gregory Rich was born in Baltimore, Md., on Oct. 13, 1957. He lived there until he graduated from high school and entered the Army at the age of 18. He spent six years in the Army, stationed at Fort Bragg. He worked in the Army as a telephone lineman. After leaving the Army, Gregory attended various colleges in the region. He has an associate’s degree from the Community College of Baltimore County at Essex. The jobs he has held include telemarketing and ad sales, fields in which he may pursue work in the future. Gregory has been married since 1985. He and his wife have three daughters aged 24, 22 and 19. Though he and his wife are currently separated, he says they talk frequently by phone and are trying hard to make their marriage work. He hopes to save enough money to buy a car and return to Baltimore to his family as soon as possible. In 1988, Gregory filed a disability claim with the Army. He never received a response but unbeknownst to him, his claim had been rejected. In the intervening years, Gregory developed drug problems that led him to trouble with the law. He spent five years in prison and was released on Feb. 19 this year. With the Freedom of Information Act and a friend’s guidance, Gregory was told that his original claim for veteran’s disability had been rejected in 1992 without the examination of his Army medical records. Because of the type of “clear and undeniable” error committed in the claim process, he has been allowed to re-file his claim and is waiting for a final decision. With the help of these disability funds, he will finally be able to return to his wife and daughters and help support them. While waiting for the claim to be processed, Gregory is staying at the Kennedy Shelter in the Fairfax area. He works at Street Sense to earn and save money but also enjoys the boost to his self–esteem. Gregory has become a Christian and no longer smokes or uses drugs. He looks forward to being with his family again. How did you become homeless? I left prison and I had nowhere to go. Why do you sell Street Sense? Street Sense is a vehicle that helps me hold my head up. I don’t have to beg for money. I just state the facts and sell the paper. Where do you see yourself five years from now? I see myself back home and improving my family’s life. I see myself as an advocate for the homeless and poor, and as a minister for the word of God. Favorite movie? Army movies in general. I like “We Were Soldiers,” a Vietnam movie. Favorite music? Gospel, not anyone in particular. Favorite food? Lasagna and imperial crab. My favorite flavor is strawberry – I love strawberry shortcake. Favorite book? The Bible…the Book of Romans because that’s where I’ve been experiencing a transformation in my heart.