Why does the Military 'crap' on their own vets?

During my twenties, I spent a good deal of time working with the homeless and eating at soup kitchens whereupon I came to know many homeless vets.

A surprising percentage of the older generation veterans complained of experiencing claustrophobia and prefered "camping out" as opposed to living in what they felt was a confined environment.

These guys were not your "normal" homeless cases - in fact, I was invited out to several encampments outside (and sometimes hidden within) city limits.

The campsites were clean and well maintained, there was no sign of drug or alcohol abuse, and the vets would spend their days performing "good deeds" throught the city. You'd never really suspect they were living outside for they maintained themselves well.

Interesting group of gentlemen, to say the least.


Now in regards to this "new generation" of homeless vets, I really don't know what to say. Over the years I've re-located and the only veterans we have are of the older generations and doing fairly well for themselves and doing their part for their community.

Which leaves me wondering if the new phenomenon primarily consists of younger veterans...

I did a quick search of youtube for interviews with the "new wave" of homeless vets, and aside from organised campaigns attempting to solict donations, I haven't found a single modern era interview with a single new homeless vet.

I find this odd.

With such numbers being hyped by the campaign organizations, there are no actual interviews with any of these purported homeless.

I find that exceedingly odd.

I also find it disturbing that the majority of these videos are showing footage of - what appears to me, anyway - of nothing more than people in transition.

Which brings to mind something my father (retired USAF) brought to my attention recently:

According to him, there are several organizations sending solicitation to the families of retired military talking about this new phenomenon, asking for donations and so forth to "help the homeless/disabled veterans".

On the surface, it looks like a genuine cause, but he did a little digging and found out that the majority of these "causes" had no actual verifiable programs in place to help anyone, they were simply preying on the willingness of people to help "veterans whose government has forgotten them".

I've gotten a few of these myself, they are very slick, very "patriotic" and devoid of anything other than "feel good promises".

Until I see a decent interview with at least one of these reported 200,000 "fresh out and homeless vets" - I'm erring on the side of extreme skepticism.

Can't say I watch much modern news.

It's simply too sensationalized for my tastes.

I'm going on word from a man I've known my entire life, who was in the military his entire life, works extensively with people who have hit hard times during his spare time and has nothing to gain politically or personally from telling me what I related in my previous posting.

If there really are such numbers - why is it so hard to produce any of these "veterans" for a more organized and professional video interview?

It just doesn't add up.