Navy Veteran Holly Bean can turn almost anything into a funny story. She served in the Navy from 1986 through 1990 and then served another twelve years in the reserves so it seems clear she values the military and her service. But to hear her tell it? “I joined the Navy because of the uniform. I mean two different shades of blue? Really? And I don’t look good in pastel so the Air Force was out. But I look good in dark blue so that was what I picked.”
Military behavior also threw her for a loop. “I was so confused during boot camp. They kept yelling all the time! I mean, they could have asked nicely and I probably would have done it. I had no concept at all.”
Ms. Bean grew up in Texas and her first posting was in Beeville, Texas. “I didn’t think there could be a place so small I hadn’t heard of it. But there I was. I was assigned to an air squadron and basically, I was the Navy version of Rosie the Riveter. Then they read that I had CPR training and moved me to a truly tough job- lifeguard at the officer’s pool.”
Ms. Bean’s final posting was in Coronado, CA where she worked in aviation supply. She remained in CA for a time and began school.”But that wasn’t for me. I have the attention span of a gnat.” She moved around for a time, living with her grandmother in Texas, helping a friend with childcare in California, and living with her brother in Hawaii where she began working in medical accounts which became her career. She joined her family back in Texas and they all eventually moved to Arkansas. “I worked for Baptist Hospital and I loved it. But I settled in the pacific northwest. I was diagnosed with lupus which made it hard to work full-time and the cost of living kept rising. It eventually became too expensive and I moved back here.”
Ms. Bean was supposed to live with a family member, but it became apparent that mental health issues made staying there impossible. “ All those years of living on my own, working, and now I’m in Arkansas five days and homeless.“ She contacted the veterans Day Treatment Center and was referred to St. Francis House. She is planning to find a place through HUD/VASH in Conway. “I’d love to go back to Baptist again part-time. I loved working there. And I’m so grateful that the Treatment center and St. Francis House are here. Without these services, I’d be across the street from the Treatment Center staking out a little place under a tree in this heat,” she laughed.