What happened to the Great Depression's Bonus Army -- and our Spare A Dime character of The Veteran?
Even after President Hoover used brute force to evict the Bonus Army from their camp (see Parts 1 and 2 posted earlier this week), the WWI veterans remained vigilant in their demands. At the end of 1932, after Franklin Roosevelt was elected President, a second, smaller Bonus Army expedition was organized for the spring (see flyer at left) to once again occupy Washington and lobby Congress for their promised pay.
The second Bonus Army arrived in D.C. in May of 1933. This time around, their experience was quite different. FDR gave them tents, latrines, showers and had mess halls prepare food for them at an old Army post in Fort Hunt, Virginia. The Bonus veterans received medical and dental care, as well. Eleanor Roosevelt, FDR's wife, spent time in the camp unaccompanied by Secret Service (see image below). The veterans loved her. A much repeated saying at the time was "Hoover sent the Army. Roosevelt sent his wife."
The second Bonus Army arrived in D.C. in May of 1933. This time around, their experience was quite different. FDR gave them tents, latrines, showers and had mess halls prepare food for them at an old Army post in Fort Hunt, Virginia. The Bonus veterans received medical and dental care, as well. Eleanor Roosevelt, FDR's wife, spent time in the camp unaccompanied by Secret Service (see image below). The veterans loved her. A much repeated saying at the time was "Hoover sent the Army. Roosevelt sent his wife."
The President, however, did not favor early payment of the WWI bonus, and, indeed, Congress denied the bill a second time. FDR did propose an alternative (through Eleanor), however; he offered all veterans jobs with the newly created Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC). Typically only men 17 to 23 years old were able to enroll; most of the Bonus Army vets were in their 40's. Thousands of the Bonus marchers took FDR up on the offer. Those who decided not to work with the CCC were given transportation home.
By 1936, with the country's hopes on the rise and the New Deal a way of life, Congress finally passed a bill authorizing payment of the deferred WWI bonuses. Years later, the G.I. Bill of Rights was inspired by the determination of the Bonus Army.
As for our Spare A Dime veteran, he joined the CCC! We'll explore his experience tomorrow!
By 1936, with the country's hopes on the rise and the New Deal a way of life, Congress finally passed a bill authorizing payment of the deferred WWI bonuses. Years later, the G.I. Bill of Rights was inspired by the determination of the Bonus Army.
As for our Spare A Dime veteran, he joined the CCC! We'll explore his experience tomorrow!
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