I was at an art festival over the W/E and talked with a few vets. The first was a Navy vet who thought he would volunteer for the Marines but his WWII combat veteran father talked him out of it, saying "You have choices." At first he thought it was cop-out, then realized while in VN '68-'69 it was a smart choice. He said I am the first guy to ask how he is doing. 

 

The second was a Korean War vet who looked pretty good. He said he was in an armored assault unit and was in some tough fights but the brutal winter was a soul killer. He was downright pleased that I asked about him.

 

The third was also a Korean War vet but in shaky condition. He was in the Navy serving on a tanker. They unloaded at a port near North Korea and was on their way back out to sea when they received orders to sand-blast and repaint the ship. He said they worked 24-hou days w/o sleep until his mind snapped and he woke up in a VA hospital. His wife agreed with his story, but I don't know what to think of it. No matter. He served.

 

While at the festival there was a religious group talking with a bunch of homeless transients, several of them wearing old military clothes. One guy had some sort of balance problem and fell down several times. It sure seemed like it neurological in nature rather than drugs or booze. He put up his fists to anyone trying to talk with him. Tragic.

 

Talk to vets when you see them. It makes their day.

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Thank You.