U.S. Army Veteran Robert Mitchell Named 2026 Veteran Champion for U.S.VETS Campaign
News related to:U.S.VETS · 2 min read
U.S. Army veteran Robert Mitchell has been named the 2026 Veteran Champion for U.S.VETS' "Make Camo Your Cause to #HONORUSVETS" campaign. This initiative, which aims to honor military service by wearing camouflage on Veterans Day, has been in operation since 2021 and has raised more than $3.5 million to support U.S.VETS' mission.
Mitchell, who enlisted in the U.S. Army at the age of 17 and served as a Corporal from 1975 to 1981, has a compelling personal story that underscores the campaign's message. After his military service, addiction led him to lose nearly everything, including his home, and he spent about seven years homeless, primarily on Skid Row in downtown Los Angeles. In 1993, he was one of the first veterans to be housed at U.S.VETS' original Inglewood, California site, referred by a VA social worker named Steve Peck, who would later lead the organization for nearly three decades.
Today, Mitchell serves as a veteran peer specialist at U.S.VETS Houston, helping veterans navigate their own journeys, much like the one he once made. He was also born on November 11, Veterans Day, adding a personal touch to his role as a champion.
Mitchell marked 33 years of sobriety on May 10, 2026, and now owns a home in his native state of Texas.
The campaign, "Make Camo Your Cause to #HONORUSVETS," encourages Americans to show their support for veterans by wearing camouflage on Veterans Day. It also invites them to shop for U.S.VETS and donate $11 on November 11 to help end veteran homelessness. Since its launch, the campaign has seen hundreds of companies and individuals participate by wearing camo and sharing their stories on social media.
U.S.VETS, founded in 1993, is the largest nonprofit organization dedicated to combating veteran homelessness. Serving more than 20,000 veterans and families annually, U.S.VETS provides housing, employment assistance, mental health care, suicide prevention, aftercare, and peer support to help veterans achieve stability and independence. The organization has expanded to 51 residential sites and 189 programs nationwide, with four signature Veterans Connection Hubs focused on prevention and early intervention.