This news really hurt. I always gave to some of these charitys trying to help. Please continue to investigate and post the good Charity's too. If people don't fine this out they may just stop giving. Like, I will stop giving to Paralyzed Veterans. Thank you....Richard

This story was incredibly one sided, Help Hospitalized Veterans provides a valuable service to those Veterans that are wounded and in the hospital. Get your facts right!!!

I can't speak for all the
Veterans'organizations. My Unit 1836 Military Order of the Purple Heart, San Antonio,
Texas which gives 100% of any monies collected with our fund raising projects such as Viola Sales to Veterans issues. Our focus is immediate help such as Bus Tickets, Phone Cards, Clothing for Men and Women who need help--homeless. Countless hours of volunteer time directly improving the the lives of veteran, visiting Vet's in nursing homes, providing parties for the forgotten for Christmas, Fourth of July, Halloween and Easter. Your article is an injustice to Military Order of the Purple Heart speaking apparently from not having correct facts about what we do. I am highly offended by the grade of "F" attached to our efforts and see it as an injustice not only to myself but the Military Order of the Purple Heart individual Units.
Yours In Patriotism,

I am so glad someone is checking on charities so we can put our money to good use. I always give to some but I am not pleased with some of the fund raising tactics that are being used. The mail received is getting to be over-whelming and the number of different charities is, also, overwhelming. This past year, I have not been happy with the way I am feeling about giving. Thanks.

Please let us know which charities are worthy of our donations.

My husband is a National Service Officer for one of the Veteran Organizations you mentioned this morning. These organizations are charted by Congress to help with veteran care! I know that their main goal is to provide proper advice and assistance with Dept of Veterans Affairs Benefits. Additionally, they insure veterans receive quality medical care in hospital, and in home durable medical equipment so that they have quality of life. Those benefits are usually unseen and unreported. If the VA was less adversarial to the veteran and made funds available there would be no need for organizations to have to intervene on their behalf. Your report is misleading the public! The funds train officers in medical terminology and procedures and veterans law insuring benefits are complete and lasting. In my husbands organization, all monies that are won for the veteran are 100% theirs and none is taken by his company. There are no fees for services; that is why they have fund raisers to provide training and research for better care for our veterans!

This makes me so mad. I work for one of those organizations, and I make next to nothing. What they are not taking into consideration is how much money has to be put out to train people like me to be able to offer free services to veterans in helping them with the claims process. We have to have the knowledge of a lawyer, and it takes time and money to train us to do that. We don't ask for a dime from the veterans that we help. We care so much for vets, it makes me ill to think that my organization is being painted with such a broad brush by someone who doesn't fully grasp what we do. In my state alone, we brought in over five million dollars (as in money that goes straight from the government to the veterans because of the help we give the veteran, for free)while we ran on a budget of less than 5% of that. Where are they getting these figures? What are they taking into account? It is not made clear.

Fundraising is so expensive. Check to see how much of a kick back these so called charitable entreprenuers are getting from their direct mail folks. Think this isn't being done? Think again. They know all the angles.

Unfortunately, this report will surely hurt the organizations that really do some good. But, by weeding out the bad and putting in place tighter regulations, the public and private sector can continue to work together to help ease some of the issues facing our returning wounded--especially those whom are afflicted with mental disorders. Eventually, we will all pay the price from the added strain on under-financed social service program if immediate proactive support from both, the government and private sector, is not continue and enhanced. If you really want to make a difference and ensure your hard earned donation money is well spent, look to support local vets returning to your communities, directly. Although this may not be "tax-deductable", you will have the added comfort in knowing that every penny will go to those in need--and make the positive difference you intended in the first place.

Thanks to all of our vets from all wars and conflicts, for giving us your all--you deserve better. America supports you!

MM-Virginia

When I was hospitalzed and released to the streets, not one charity helped me out unless I convert to their 12 step religion, I did not drink or do drugs, but they told me I would after living on the streets; two years later still on the streets and I don't drink or use drugs. All I need is decent housing to get a job but they say I have to go through their program before I'm job and housing ready. I just finished my Associates at SFCC with a 3.92 GPA while camping, taking showers on campus. They just continue to treat veterans aufully.

Thank you Brian Ross for your story on "bad" charities which are supposed to be helping our fighting men and women and our Veterans. Please let us know which charities are good ones so I can start giving once again. I was just getting ready to give my annual donation to the Paralyzed Veterans, but I have not sent it. I want my money to go to these soldiers, not in some "fat cats" pocket. I am so proud of each any every soldier who is now serving or who has served in the Armed Forces. Thank God for these men and women who help to keep the freedoms that we enjoy in this country. I pray for them everyday, and I think it is criminal for anyone to profit in a big way at their expense. Keep up the good work ABC. Thanks, Lynne

I'm really hurt to hear about the Paralyzed Veterans failure to make the best of my donations, which I have contributed over the last decade or so. Our wounded veterans have received a bad deal for generations. It's a shame that our government, who can spend so much making war, does not care to spend on our deserving men and women you have given great sacrifice to us and our country. Our well intentioned donations, I am sure, will be of great use to them if only the money could reach them. Please follow up this story by listing the charities that you do find acceptable. That really contribute to our disabled veterans.

Our Wounded Heroes deserve better! We thank you, love you and honor you. God Bless. Please continue to give to organizations that are doing the good work for our vets.

Welcome to sweeps week!! This AIP report should score an F- for its so-called grading system. How on earth can an organization that spends 73% of the funds it raises in its programs (Paralyzed Veterans of America) get the same "F" grade as an organization that invests only 2% (according to the ABC News report)? If my 6 year old came back with a school report card using this system I think I would be concerned -- and angry. I am a donor to several veterans organizations given "F"s and those given "A"s and I can tell you, they all do superb work for our veterans. This apparently flawed AIP report -- and the reporting of it as credible by ABC -- does our veterans and the people they work for every day a great disservice as we appraoch veterans day.

Someone really needs to check out Operation Homefront (OH) if they think these numbers are bad. I am willing to bet would get a whopping "F" in an instant.

I am a Viet Nam vet and I have a simple question. Why do we have to have charities taking care of our veterans? What is the purpose of the Veterans Administration if it is not to take care of our veterans? We are outraged at charities ripping off donors but what about the VA? How many millions of dollars are wasted every year by the largest charity of all the VA?

Please continue the stories on TV and radio to update us on the Veterans Charities. For years I have donated to a few of the ones mentioned in your news story and I want to continue to help our Vets, but not donate to fraud and high priced fund raisers. They send out the address labels, greeting cards, etc. as a gift to us, these are things we will not use, so why do they waste the money on those things, why not just send a letter or card with the facts. Please continue to investigate and inform us.
Thank you.

To Cheri @ HHV:

You are correct. Some vets have received assistance over the years. The problem here is that good hearted Americans are donating their dollars to assist our veterans, not to line the pockets of the scamers out there. With the amount of money coming in alot more assistance should have been allocated out to our wounded heroes. These charities have an obligation (if not leagal, def moral) to run effeciently in order to assist as many vets as possible.

I did some checking on who us behind the American Institute of Philanthropy, and found that it's a one-man operation in Chicago that pays himself a 6-figure salary, doesn't make his information publicly available without charge, and according to his own IRS filings would rate F on his own scale! I am surprised Brian Ross gave this guy any credence. This guy's a public relarions genius who is out to make himself a buck, not serve the public (or his findings would be online for free for everyone's benefit!)

I can only speak for 2 groups. Pralyzed Veterans of America and AMVETS. I know of what these two groups do for our Veterans.

Before you published this did you check to find out how much compensation due to the Vets these organizations?

Are you aware of how these Organizations assist befuddled Veterans in navagating through the quagmire called the VA system?

Shall we discuss the outings,entertainment, personal care items supplied to hospitilized Veterans?

We won't eve mention the USO's staffed to assist Active duty men/women and their families.

How about research funded to find cures and better ways to treat the Veterans. Some of this research may actually benefit the the families of the authors,but tey would not admit that. They would rather put the Vet's groups on blast without knowing the real facts. This just made me sick. My family knows, more than one has been helped by the very two organizations on the F list.

I have been giving to some of the organizations rated F and wish to avoid such in the future. Where can I find a list of the high rated organizations?

We need to check out the guy who is behine American Institute of Philanthropy. He rates these charties and other honest ones and he is taking home a 6-figure salary for his so called non-profit AIP. He doesn't make his information publicly available without charge, and according to his own IRS filings would rate F on his own scale! This guy's a public relations genius who is out to make himself a buck, not serve the public (or his findings would be online for free for everyone's benefit!)

Did anyone mention that the person heading up AIP is also an ABC consultant? Irony? I think not. It also appears that this gentleman did not do enough homework. Question for him: What have YOU done for our troops today?

The group I VOLUNTEER with - and yes we are ALL volunteers - (no $40 subscription fee with us.lol) has heard from thousands of soldiers in the sandbox how much they value what we do for them. On a daily basis we hear from THEM that what we do, matters.

To them, what ever we GIVE - no strings attached - has NO monetary value to us or them. To every single one of US, and to EVERY soldier, it is strictly - and solely - a GIFT from heart to heart.

PRICELESS!

Is this how our country treats our soldiers no tax dollars but only charity. The President does photo ops with a few injured troops while thousands of other injured soldiers get poor medical care. Blackwater has up date equipment for their protection with the money that the US gives them to save their lives. Our troops get less then good equipment as thousand die or injured because the tax money goes else where. The troops are living in hell and Americans don't stand up to the enemy the White House and demand that they be taken care of. The White House is to busy giving Billions of dollars to Iraq/Afghanistan Leaders. Now Iraq needs Health Care for men/woman/children and we're suppose to give money for their care. Bush/Cheney can't give money for American Children's Health Care but we can give the money to Iraq. I say save your ribbons and flags and stand up and speak out for our troops serving in hell. Bush/Cheney never served in the US Military so they are clue less as to what's this is all about.

Veterans have always received less than they were promised. The same 92% of our people who have shuddered at the historical threats to our country's security have always found it economically unattractive to support our veteran men and women after they have defended us. The backbone of active support for veterans comes from veterans and their families. The greatest amount of money support comes from caring people who get a tax benefit for their generosity. After danger has passed, so many people clamor that our veterans might somehow MILK the kindness of sympathetic and grateful citizens that a whole industry has been set up to PROTECT AND INSULATE THE GIVERS. People rest easier with this system that absorbs 70 or 80% of charitable contributions and provides a better standard of living to some charity workers than it does to any recipients. Apparently a healthy full time charity worker is more pleasant to deal with than a crusty, possibly embittered veteran.

Shame on ABC for using sound bites from their own consultant as the supposed unbiased expert on military non-charities to get a ratings spike around a national Holiday that honors our war heroes.

Who suffers as a result? Those service members who need help the most - the ones that fall through the cracks of the system and need private sector organizations like these to stand by them.

Come on ABC - what's behind the full scale attack on HHV and founder Roger Chapin after all they have done for our troops? Based on the ratings of the real industry expert The Chronicle of Philanthropy two thirds of monies raised by HHV since 1971 - over $300 million - have been spent directly on program services.

That is in line with the top national charities like American Cancer Society and the American Heart Association.

It would be great if our government would render all private military charities obsolete by providing the funding and the programs needed to meet the short term and longer term needs of all of our war veterans.

Until then lets support those who support our troops.

This is the way we treat our veterans.

Please list charities which ARE helping veterans and their families. I want to help, but am seeing in your report that many of the charity groups to which I have contributed are not using it to substantially help veterans. I do not want to withhold support, but do not know and have had difficulty finding a list of those which your investigation found were legitimate or deserving.

I have been giving to Paralyzed Veterans and VFW for over 5 years now. Maybe longer. How can I be sure ABC reports are correct? Can someone email me a valid report showing that they are handling the money properly.

I would like to say that Dan Borochoff failed to accurately report to viewers across the world about the AmVets organization.His so called "watchdog" findings are inaccurate. I urge all people across the world who generously donate to our organization to disregard the recent story introduced by ABC. Our organization spent 77.2% of it's ( IRS reported 2005 form 990) contributions on programs directly benefitting our veterans. From September 1,2006 through August 31,2007 AmVets National Service Officers completed 65,835 VA claims on behalf of veterans resulting in 323,964,340 in retroactive claims benefits paid to those veterans. AmVets takes care of it's veterans and the world should know we have been doing so since 1947.

ABC Please investigate the frivilous law suits filed in IL, VA. and Calif. filed using the funding of the Sevice foundation,Military Order of the Purple Heart.
Wouldn't it be nice to know where all this money came from for these laws suits against innocent members and then who paid for the awards to pay off counter suits that were won. If it was our donated money earmarked for veterans programs,shouldn't we know the truth and find out who is responsible, and shouldn't they be held liable for the misuse of funds that were designated to help care for our dedicated veterans and widows and families.This is a disgrace to the Military Order of the Purple Hearts name because of a few greedy people.LETS MAKE SURE THE MONEY GETS TO THE VETEANS RATHER THAN THE PERSONAL AGENDA OF THESE SELECT FEW.This needs to be investigated. My Father,Purple Heart Recipient was one of the many falsely acused and stripped of his membership, job, ability to care for his family and severe mental anguish leading to heath problems. My Father was the Man on the news who picked up the flag at the art institute of Chicago when a student was desigrating our flag in an art dislay.My Father is a Hero in many peoples eyes. Sincerely Dave

Questions we have and asked to be investigated-- Were any funds diverted to other than care of veterans and their families? Can ABC obtain a forensic audit?
Since so much of the funds were misused--how were the receipts handled?
How successful have they been in their audit reporting to the funding source in the past the MOPH-Service Foundation? The concern here is only the past 2 or 3 years.
and
What can be done to restore the validity of the organizations to help those veterans and their families, and to those real heroes, such as Paul Mons, who even now is an outstanding American Purple Heart Veteran who has been pushed out of the MOPH organization, causing him great anguish, heartache,and pain due to his dedication to the purpose of the MOPH which has been apparently been abused in the recent 2 to 3 years.

I am a veteran of the first Gulf War. I hope to never need the services provided by these veterans' organizations, but am comforted to know they're there if needed. I understand that these "ratings" can be slanted toward individual biases and hope that the honest mistakes made at managing these organizations are improved and/or corrected. What deeply disturbs me is the apparent audacity of the MOPH national and local leaders to use DONATED funds for their legal defense. They are defending themselves against former MOPH members who claimed they were falsely removed from the organization, and these "leaders" are losing?! I'm not a lawyer and have NOT stayed at a Holiday Inn, but it sure seems to me that there is something criminal happening with the management of donated funds. How many VETS (for those that HAVE NOT stayed at a Holiday Inn, these are people who FOUGHT FOR OUR GOD-GIVEN FREEDOM!!) and/or family members are losing benefits due to the monies being directed elsewhere?

I am following this up with a letter to an Illinois lawmaker to check on the problems that have occurred and continue to occur at the Chicago branch of the MOPH. Paul Mons is a fellow veteran and my uncle by marriage. I admire this man deeply for his integrity and service to this country. This Veteran was removed from his leadership post at the Chicago Branch for what appear to be trumped up charges but nobody will conduct a proper investigation. That doesn't work for me.

I have been reviewing the statements made here, and indeed fund raising is a major issue.

Of as much or perhaps greater concern is what do charities do with the funds they receive. In reading the above postings it appears the Military Order of the Purple Heart (MOPH) uses funds raised for service and welfare for other reasons. (This is also rumored in the veteran community and now out in the public.)
How much money was used for litigation caused by less than a dozen members of the MOPH. Do all the members know of the misuse of funds? A few members of the MOPH filed frivolous suit against other members; have they (those that auithorized and filed suit using membership money) paid back the funds generated by the contributing public? Were funds raised for service and welfare used to pay settlements to Purple Heart reciepients in CA that were harmed by just a few MOPH Members at the top?
Do citizens of IL know as much as $1,500,000.00 may have been raised for service and welfare to help veterans and their families in IL, which was authorized to be spent by members of the MOPH in Texas to harm combat wounded citizens and their families in IL?

The MOPH and the MOPH Service Foundation have interlocking boards, they are close to one and the same.

For example the Current and Past National Commanders of the MOPH vote and are members of the MOPH Service Foundation. The MOPH plays a major role in the MOPH Service Foundation in all they do, speaks on issues and have a votes. It is rumored the MOPH also has membershop on the MOPH SF Finance Committee.

In summary it appears less than a dozen perhaps as few as 6 need to be made accountible for their actions to harm so many combat wounded and their families and damage the very immage of the Purple Heart and all who have presented the decoration.

Like many Purple Heart Reciepients I fear retaliation and apoligize for not using my full name at this time. Just reading the above it is clear so few have harmed so many and continue. Just look at the fact the state of Main withdrew there State Charter with the MOPH untill such time as honesty and integrity is restored. Indeed they demonstrate that which exemplifies the Purple Heart.

The administrations in office have been slowly dissecting veteran benefits since the Regan years (in office 1981-1989) besides Clinton there has been little to no interest or regard for the well being of Americas Vets old and new. Continuous cuts funding benefits has torn our veteran war heros down, left them unaccounted for, alone and forgotten. I have been personally affected by the actions and policies in place approved by these administrations. I feel public awareness on a national scale is only going to help make a change. Exposing these self serving policy pushing criminals in office will directly effect a positive push to helping our nations Vets. Lets take action and rally for a better future for our heros of tomorrow.

The MOPH is a wonderful organization, over the years it has done much for the Veteran, The members took pride in belonging. We were and are volunteers.
Unfortunantly the past few National Commanders, have thought they were runing a business, and forgot about the needs of the Veterans and of the members. They treated it like their own smorgasboard, and used monies that should have gone to Veteran programs to fund their aggressive personal agendas. They have worked very hard to destroy what many have worked hard to establish. That they would use donated money to avenge members, who do not agree with their personal agendas, or for revenge, if someone stood up to them or spoke up. Shame on them. Now I am told that the LAMOPH (the auxiliary) have followed suite, and they are also abusing the members with their feeling of power. When will it stop? Probably after all the VOLUNTEERS have fallen away due to the embarrasement that the officers have done to the once proud organization.

Citizens of IL care for our military, their widows and orphans and over $200,000.00 was spent for purpose for which it was not raised (litigation with no grounds, later dropped), authorized by the National Commander of the MOPH from Texas at the time. Has it been paid back?

Most people never heard of MOPH (Military Order of Purple Hearts) the org that raises money to help veterens, but according to Paul Mons, it is just another org that represses, rather than benefits it's people, for political gain.

It seems that political aspirations have again superceeded the people.

We the people are not here to benefit and promote government and other orgs. They are formed by us to benefit us. Not to control, monitor, lie, steal and make us afraid.

If these abberations of corprotism and big gov continue we can only blame ourselves because they were created by us and may be dismantled and/or changed by us.

It's Showtime

Has the monies authorized by the MOPH to file a frivolous suit against a combat wounded of IL been paid back to the MOPH by the MOPH members authorizing use of donated funds? It's ashame that a few bad apples are spoiling the good name of the MOPH. The National commander must be investigated so we can get to the bottom of this matter.

I was reading the above comments and was reminded of a situation that requires further attention in Illinois regarding monies collected and used by VA representatives. This issue and its prompt reolution has the potential to impact countless families. TO better understand the problem it is essential to answer the questions, where are the Finance Budgets for the Dept. of Illinois from 2006-2008? And, where are the records for the allocation of budgetary funds for these years? Your attention to this matter would be greatly appreciated by the men and women who have dedicated their lives to the service of our country.

Wow, I guess freedom of speech is selective. I wrote a blog that all Americans had a right to view with facts that everyone deserves to know. No, I didn't list names as that can be construed as slanderous until facts are proven. But ABC did not even print one word of my blog. Is that because it pertained the Military Order of the Purple Heart? I see so many others are aware of the illegal goings on at the organizations leadership level at National and the Service Foundation. Has the MOPH contacted ABC and threatened them to stop printing complaints and demands of investigations? Otherwise I'd like to know why my blog was censored! Who are you protecting and why? This country has a right to know their donations to the MOPH (not local Chapters) are not only not being used for the purposes of which they were given, but used illegally for personal pursuits and no grounds lawsuits.

Have you ABC quit adding to the blogs? I think it is interesting to see what has been happening to individual veterans and their families. It is a very sad situation, and I would ask you to please look further into what is happening within these fund raising organization, it would seem that Illinois has a mojor problem, having watched another news broadcast from another station about the lack of financial care for the injured and severely injured veterans who are in harms way fighting for our freedon, it is a disgrase how they are being treated by the VA SYSTEM. This program was set in Illinois and showed the deficiencies. Now the organizations who have been started after WW1 to help veterans, are now using it for thier own agendas, yes they are veterans also. BUT they seem to be using it for destruction instead of help. Plese I ask you continue to research these mentioned situations. Many of us do not have those resorces.Thank you for what you have done so far.
A CARING VETERAN WHO SERVED IN VIETNAM AND "EARNED MY PURPLE HEARTS (2) THERE

Where are the Finance Budgets for the Dept. of Illinois from 2006-2008? Where is the accounting of funds used by Illinois for these years?
If Il is in such dier straights what can it do for these programs?

I think
abc should truly investigate these lawsuits and really see where the monies are going..........we need to make sure the monies go to the vet's who fought for this country to give us our freedom

6. where are the Finance Budgets for the Dept. of Illinois from 2006-2008 showing thast Illinois vets are getting these funds. Where is the breakdown of accounting of funds used by Illinois for 2006 thur 2008?

ABC, I BEG OF YOU TO INVESTIGATE THIS MATTER OF MISDIRECTED FUNDS!!! OUR VETERANS WHO SACRIFICED THEMSELVES FOR OUR COUNTRY RIGHTFULLY DESERVE THESE MONIES, AND ARE NOT RECEIVING ANYTHING! WHERE IS THIS MONEY GOING TO IF NOT TO THE VETERANS?

I have been reading the previous blogs in regards to the Military Order of Purple Heart in the misuse of funds. The people I am acquantances with have been discussing a grant from the Purple Heart for Catrina funds for aiding Catrina Victims and where that money went because the documentation was not in order. I am requesting from the person that was responsible for these funds to come forward and show proof of distribution and reciepts. Where did this money go?? I myself have donated and would like to make sure that my money has been distributed properly.

Why does the richest and supposedly best country (according to it's inhabitants and govt) do the lousiest job for those that give the most, their veterans. When I first heard how wounded vets were treated in the US after returning from South East Asia, I laughed at the person who told me, believing it was just another European commentary on the US. However when I did service exchanges while in the British Forces, I found out that what I had been told was if anything not even close to the whole truth. Why do you need charities to look after your vets? I can understand organizations to help navigate govt benefits, we all need help with the govt whichever country we are in, but we should never need charitable help for medical, housing or prosthetics. Unbelievable!! If you don't force your govt to do their job, the con artists take over, and I am talking about the charities that give their directors 6 figure incomes.

I have been following the blogs on your pages. ABC thank you for bringing information to the forefront, from members of organizations who have been maligned by their leadership, and have actually lost their membership due to standing up to their leaders. (Leaders, HA when this is happening it sounds like a misnomer.

The Purple Heart seems to be a leader in the ruination of the membership. I am shocked and dismayed by the actions of the Leadership of the MOPH especially the current actions of its National Commander. Power should not be used against volunteers who are giving time, energies and their own funds to provide help for our returning wounded warriors.

I know first hand how a handful of avaricious people at the National level/Service Foundation board (including the IL. Dept. Commander)of the Military Order of the Purple Heart for the last 4 four years have wreaked havoc on members lives. How they have filed slanderous lawsuits against members in IL., VA., and CA., for revenge and for control of grant money. These funds, using donated money(for the lawsuits) were authorized by a few members and all suits were lost by the MOPH. They also fired people from their paying jobs(without cause), denying them the ability to financially care for their families. They also revoked their memberships, one such Veteran had been a member since WWII!

The Military Order of the Purple Heart and Service Foundation needs to be held accountable for all money donated by fellow citizens. Every red cent needs to be accounted for. We are talking millions of dollars! Who authorized the money to be spent in the effort to re-locate the Nat'l HQ to Texas where the then Nat'l Commander just happened to live? From what fund was it derived? Is there an accounting for all the money spent on this agenda?

ABC, can you please investigate the validity of whether a member of the MOPH Nat'l Executive Committee, also a board member of the MOPH-Service Foundation played a large role in giving a very large contribution to the Intrepid Navy Ship in NY and his daughter then being awarded a major contract with them as she may have stated was because of her dad's intervention (pay off?). As a person who contributes my hard earned money to the MOPH for the purpose of helping needy Veterans and their families, this is very disturbing news of misuse of funds and I would like an explanation from MOPH. Maybe you, ABC, can find out the truth for us who give to this organization. Thank you. Keep up the great investigating.

Just wanted to comment that there are MOPH NSO's out there, past and present, who whole-heartedly assist veterans in their quest for their rights...They deserve, and in my case, Ms. Cassandra Morgan (former NSO), do DESERVE credit and acknowledgement, and most importantly, praise for their undying hard work.....yet, others fail to provide such service and give a bad name!

The Native Perspective.... yea we're all Native right.. well almost, the American Indian, referred today by the politically correct as Native Americans have historically represented this Great Nation in numbers unmatched in all wars more than any other ethnic group. The warrior spirit is inherent, it's in our blood. Remember the Navajo Code Talkers! I find it interesting that once again the government has taken away from us, in our Native communities, the likes of the Cassandra Morgans. I have personally seen WWII and Viet Nam Vets benefit from her advocacy for benefits they didn't even know they were eligible for. Indian Givers! Today, and once again our Native communities are represented in Iraq and we are already seeing the scars that our sons and daughters will live with forever from this war. I hope this message finds the eyes and minds of those who are undestanding and can make a difference for our Native Warriors. OOOORAHHHH to all my fellow MARINES!!!

ABC this is a question for you. Have you stopped putting any new information on the Blog????

I had hoped that more could be put forth, so that those that read the blog will be able to learn more. It is greatly appreciated what you have done, and it has brought information to the fore front, and made people knowledgeable to what is happening.
Thank you

I have read the e mail asking persons to pray for PNC-TX. But who prays for the others that have been hurt as a direct result of his actions? Now the wife of one of those hurt by this group has been put under attack by the NP of NJ.This family has given many years of their lives for the Veteran. Now they are being abused. MOPH and LAMOPH members need to step up to the plate, we cannot, should not allow this to happen. Did we not fight for freedom, now if you stand up, speak up or anything else to bring people's attention to the fact that monies are not being used for what it is being donated for. You are chastised, destroyed and removed from membership.

Please look into the finances of this supposed "watchdog" organization. It is a one man show out of Chicago. Fully THIRTY PERCENT of the donations to his organization paid his six figure salary. He is basically a self appointed critic, soliciting donations to fund his personal expenses and agendas.

What has he done to support our vets or any other worthy organizations? Not talked about, not written about but what has he DONE? Mr Borchoff is merely a critic, a poster child for Theodore Roosevelt's famous quote

It behooves every man to remember that the work of the critic is of altogether secondary importance, and that in the end, progress is accomplished by the man who does things.
Theodore Roosevelt

It's much easier to criticize than to actually research how effective and how important many of these organizations are for our vets who sometimes slip through the cracks of the VA system.

I see it on a daily basis and appreciate that there are many thousands of dedicated VOLUNTEERS who are in the trenches and assisting our vets. Unlike Mr Borchoff, they are not being paid. They are doing, not just complaining.

You have no clue....you had better check the National Organization your huband works for.....

The National Adjutant alone is making over $800,000.00 a year with an unlimited expense account.

Many of these National organizations have become a private boys club...filled with Attorney's that are Veterans....they know the system....

Another hit piece by the “mainstream” media. AIP is a left front group, check out their website, the majority of their A grades go to left wing causes, and foreign charities. On their site they admit they ignore accepted accounting principles and instead have their own convoluted formulas for giving grades, the even use their own math to arrive at figures. And if you want to verify that – you’ll have to PAY to see their ratings criteria – so much for being the “watchdog”. The founder is a frequent speaker at leftist gatherings, and on "Airhead America" radio. The founder Daniel Borocho is also a founder and board member of Hearts and minds network, a blatantly left wing anti-war activist group.

Charity Navigator gives Freedom Alliance its Highest Rating – Four stars, and according to IRS records Freedom Alliance has the following

Program Expenses 76.9%
Administrative Expenses 4.5%
Fund raising Expenses 18.5%

This report illustrates the difficulties in giving to so called charities through tele-marketers and direct mail advertising. There is a huge overhead. It's hard to tell whether you're actually helping Veterans, "professional" fundraisers, or some right or left wing "cause".

Instead, support your local Veterans post, chapter or auxiliary. Attend the many crab feasts, bazars, bingos and fundraisers that are open to the public. You'll get your moneys worth and you'll be supporting Veterans efforts. If you see a Veteran at the local mall shaking the can for buddy poppy sales, he or she will be happy to explain where it goes and make sure it ends up in the right place.

If you are a Veteran, join a group and attend meetings. Help at bingo. Shake that can. Write your legislators and make your voice heard.

Hey ABC, do some more fact checking. There's always a second or third perspective to this. What about the National Service Officer Program that many of these organizations are responsible for. If the VA did their job we wouldn't need VSOs. Without these programs, vets like my father in law would still be deemed only 20 percent disabled and trying to make a living when he should have been declared 100 percent disabled back in 1992. Thank God for the VSOs and thank God for the MOPH.

After 27 years of donating to AER as a career military office, I hear these stories about the Army Emergency Relief. Do you know the pressure put on officers to be good examples to donate while we are in the Service? At the same time we are considered bad officers if we cannot manage our own finances which means that it's very likely that we will never ask for assistance from an organization that we give to!

I believe the solicitors have to let you know exactly what percentage of each donation actually goes to the cause. that is the first question I ask.

I was told that 93% of my donation went to Minnesota Veterans of Foreign Wars. Only then did I donate. Now I find myself wondering how to verify that.

The problem is and has been for years, the "professional fund raiser companys". The CEO's and company officials should be rounded up and sent to Iraq for the duration-defusing roadside bombs.

I have sent contributions each month to HHV. I would very much like to know the names of charities which contribute 70 - 75% of the money to the vets. I no longer wish to send any contributions to HHV if it is going to line the pockets of Roger Chapin. ABC News said tonight to "go to ABC.com for a list of worthy chaarities, but so far I have not seen the list. Thanks .Sheilah

I do not give to charities anymore . I do not believe the money collected is ever used for what it is collected for. It just gets divited up and the people who need it never see it. They may get a few little things , but nothing even close to what the money collected could provide. I belive the collected money needs to be use to rebuild and provide place for them to stay until they can get on their feet again. Don't hand out the cash money ,but make liveable conditions for them.I am not surprised money collected for vets. has been misused ,I think money collected for all causes is misused.

I have been donating to the Disabled American Veterans for years. Not being a Vet myself, I have always been grateful for vets'services they've performed in order to give me my freedom. I was very displeased to find out this organization got a "D". I'm not sure now if I will continue to donate. Thanks for the report and keep up the good work.

I have been giving to the Disabled Averican Veterans for years. Where is the list of "good" charities that was mentioned on the broadcast? I'd like to see it. Or email it to me.

Thanks
Janet

I support some of these F rated organizations. The whole thing is pretty confusing to me. I still want to give to these organizations but I do agree the mailings are excessive with address labels and such. I can see a lot of wasted money.I hope other charities are investigated with celebrity spokespeople getting paid. I hope the good charities don't get hurt by this report but I know they will. I think bottom line ABC will regret doing this story before they got their facts totally straight.

I'd like to see the names of the worthy and and honest charities. I contribute to several veteran charities and would certainly want to know if my money is going to the correct people who really need the help. So get on with the list. Thanks. Kay