Steinberg, who says he was discharged early from the Veterans' Administration hospital in Bedford in order to make room for the wounded from Operation Desert Storm, says the government is always more responsive to veterans who are physically handicapped than to those mentally disabled by war.

The veterans also say they are impressed by the efficiency of Operation Desert Storm, attributing its success to less political involvement and a more organized military.

"The politicians ruined the war for us in Korea and Vietnam. They had the generals in charge this time," says Emerson.

"It was a really neat military procedure, unlike Vietnam...the objectives were so precise and clear. They were so precise and clear. They were so competent," says Quinlan.

"In Vietnam, no one knew each other. Today, everyone went over as a unit. The whole unit trained together, flew together, fought together, and will come back together," Moynihan says.

But despite Desert Storm's quick success, many of the veterans say they are still revolted by the country's willingness to go back to war so soon after Vietnam.

"When it comes down to murdering, it's really sick. And to think that we did it again in such a swift, surgical way," Quinlan muses.

The New England Shelter for Homeless Veterans is funded by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and private donations.

Approximately one-third of the nation's homeless population consists of veterans, many of whom have drug and alcohol abuse problems that began during their service in the military, says shelter director Dennis Falwell.