One day removed from America's celebration of the U.S. soldier, it's time the nation zeroes in on one of the military's most urgent, and disheartening, issues.

Earlier this month, Gen. Eric K. Shinseki, secretary of the Department of Veterans Affairs, announced a five-year, $3.2 billion goal of ending homelessness for America's veterans. The Washington Post dubbed the objective "ambitious" — but the degree of difficulty shouldn't keep lawmakers and the military from attacking the problem with all due speed.

In an op-ed written for McClatchy Newspapers, which The Star printed Wednesday, Shinseki laid out harsh numbers to describe the situation's depth. On any given night, Shinseki wrote, more than 131,000 veterans are homeless in the United States.

While that represents a significant reduction from the number of homeless veterans six years ago — an estimated 195,000 — it remains an American shame that so many soldiers reside on the streets once their military service is complete.

For the VA, perhaps the dilemma's most difficult portion is the timing. While veterans of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan represent only 3 percent of homeless veterans, experts say, those veterans are more at risk of becoming homeless soon after their return. Iraq and Afghanistan veterans who are homeless often end up on the streets within 18 months of their arrival back in the United States, The Post reported. That's far quicker than veterans of previous wars.

VA officials' concerns are only heightened by the recession, which they feel may exacerbate the difficult transition some veterans encounter once they're out of uniform.

Solving this American tragedy must remain near the top of Washington's goals.

Shinseki deserves praise for bringing attention to this subject. To solve it, it must be exposed, not hidden from view for fear of damaging the reputation of the military or the soldiers themselves. It is wise that he's using his pulpit to publicize the problem's depths and demand assistance — in money and leadership — from Capitol Hill.

Unfortunately, reducing the number of homeless veterans isn't as easy as spending money; cash alone won't get soldiers off the streets. Countless factors go into a soldier's ability to readjust to civilian life. It's imperative that all agencies — the military, the medical community, the politicians — redouble efforts to prepare soldiers for their return and provide extended assistance once they're here.

Shinseki wrote of the importance of becoming advocates for America's returning soldiers. He's right. It's America's duty.