As I ordered our dinner, just me and my two sons, ages 6 and 9, I was thinking, maybe this is too much food. We normally have a fourth mouth to feed, but my wife is out of town. I figured we could probably eat most of anyway. I soon saw two little guys get full very early into our feast. Great. "I think Daddy ordered too much food", I said, as they picked at their chicken. "I think I ordered too much food".
In the meantime, I noticed a guy eating, wearing a US Navy Seal hat. After I asked for a couple of boxes to hold our leftovers, about 15 boneless wings and almost a complete basket of fries, I walked over to him and introduced myself. Thanking him for his service, I pulled out one of my cards and handed it to him. He asked if I was from the VA. I told him no, I just do what I do because he did what he did. It is my way of trying to give something, however small, back to our vets and at least let them know that there is someone who notices and cares. I left with my boys, feeling good, as I always do after meeting one of our nation's veterans.
After we got outside, I noticed, about the same time as my oldest son did, another veteran. Only this one wasn't sitting in an air-conditioned restaurant enjoying an over-priced meal with his wife. He was sitting on the ground. He had a sign next to him indicating that he was not doing so well and would appreciate any help he could get. I looked at him as we walked to our car with a bunch of food that would most likely end up in the trash. My son asked me something to the effect of "why is he sitting there?" I responded with, "I'm not sure, but I'm going to find out".
As I approached him, his head was kind of down. I noticed about 3 dollars in change at the base of his sign. He had his dog tags hanging around his neck. He didn't look like he was in bad shape, but he definitely looked like he had seen better days.
"Hey buddy, how you doing?"
"I'm doing OK I guess"
I nodded, and asked again, "Are you OK?"
"I'm making it"
I knelt down next to him so I could talk eye to eye. I found out that he and his wife had lost everything they had in a fire. She was close to completing some kind of a course that he hoped would allow them to start to pull themselves up. He told me that he didn't like the "homeless scene", as he called it. He was referring to the mass of people that congregate in tent city. He tries to avoid hanging out there as much as possible, but they are forced to live underneath a bridge at the moment. Alban served in the Army for 4 years, I think from 2004-2008 if I remember correctly.
I talked to him for a few minutes and found him to be very genuine. He said he had lost it all before, and fought his way back and was sure he would be able to do so again. I offered him our leftovers, He said he never turns down food. I didn't order too much food after all. The fourth hungry mouth was just in a place I wasn't expecting it to be. I handed Alban one of my cards also. He, too, immediately asked if I was with the VA. When he learned that I just act on my own, he told me how awesome I was. I told him, no, he was awesome, and because he is awesome, I do what I do.
We often rely on the charity of others and help from family just to make ends meet each month. I hate having to do that, but the fact is, that we don't really have much of a choice as things are currently. I have friends that are in a much better position thatn I am in. I don't begrudge that. We all have challenges, some of us just have bigger challenges, or different challenges. Alban has a different set of circumstances than I could imagine myself having. Alban also has it a lot better than some others who are in a similar situation to him. I don't often find myself in a position to actively help someone like this, but when I do, I help.
Alban told me that he would email me when he has he chance to keep me updated on how he is doing. I told him I meet various people that work with vets and although I can't promise anything, maybe, just maybe, something would come of it. I wish I were in a position to just snap my fingers and make problems like his go away. I have very little doubt that when given the opportunity, Alban will grab it and not let go.
It is an absolute shame that so many of our veterans find themselves in this situation. It is an black on on our nation and one that we should do everything possible to alleviate. I think a lot of people are like me, they would genuinely love to be able to do more to help. Often, when faced with a problem of such enormity, we find ourselves unable to grasp how to solve the entire problem at once. Maybe we should step back and look at this particular problem for what it really is. Yes, it is tens of thousands that need help, but it is also one guy, sitting on the sidewalk holding a sign. I can;t so;ve the problem our nation's veterans face, but I can help one guy, even if just in a small way.
If you find yourself in a situation where you are able to help, in any way, don't let it slide by. First and foremost, our veterans are human beings. They deserve to be able to live with dignity. We owe them so much more than a bag full of chicken wings. But for now, if that is what you can offer, do it.
I sincerely hope Alban can keep his head up and fight his way back.
