Some of the men and women who once served our country have been braving a new fight over the last few days.
For homeless veterans, it’s been a fight against the cold weather.
News 13 traveled into wooded areas in Brevard County to learn about search and rescue efforts to get some of those veterans to safety.
Veteran Elizabeth Todd served in the Navy between 1979 until 1985.
She was upset Monday when it was suggested she leave the camp where she currently lives.
"This is home to me. It’s very difficult leaving my camp,” said Todd.
But she said she knew it was too cold to sleep outside, so she packed up her things, got her dog Pete and left.
She was one of about 40 homeless veterans in Brevard who were rescued by the National Veterans Homeless Support group.
Leader George Taylor said about 40 percent of the homeless veterans they deal with are from the Vietnam-era and are in their 60s.
“I fear for their death," Taylor said. "I fear that they just can’t deal with that type of drop.”
They have two vans that are used to go pick up these homeless veterans who are sleeping outside in wooded areas. They are then brought to a hotel in Titusville so they can have a warm place to stay for the night.
“We should not be going through this. We should have shelters for our veterans,” said Taylor.
Todd said she came down to Florida after Hurricane Katrina and has struggled to find an apartment and a job.
She admits it is hard living outside.
"You can’t bathe on a regular basis, you’ve got to haul your water. You just don’t know the weather, the elements, it’s hot, it’s cold,” said Todd.
But she is happy to have a shower, a warm bed and a television for the night.
“I’m out here because I have to be. There is no other choice,” said Todd.
According to the federal government, there are more than 57,000 homeless veterans in the United States.
Homeless veterans account for just over 12 percent of all homeless adults.