When World War I ended in 1918, both veterans and the family of those who didn't survive the war were expecting a cash bonus from the American government as a compensation for the overseas service. The money, however, wouldn't have been paid out until 1945.
In 1932, the Great Depression was in full swing, and the veterans and their families became part of the destitute masses who had no money, no food, no jobs, and, in some cases, no homes. Almost