Very sad, but I think this is the truth of the matter...

He must have been an honourable guy to have that mindset of not being able to afford an ambulance. His problem, a lack of money. I don't know that being a Vet was the guy's real reason, far more likely a breakdown of a relationship due to finances.

The excuse of being ex military was probably just a sympathy crutch he was leaning on. He chose to be a soldier in a time when the USA was fighting ridiculous wars.

In the years ahead, people (men) like this, failing to live up to their own expectations, struggling with finances will become all too common. Sadly the days of living on (Western) government / Rothschild banking magic-money-tree largesse is coming to an end.