fellow marine found with sign at freeway off ramp .

[tapermaker]

Yesterday i took a long time friend of mine to a salad bar restuarant.I am over weight and fighting to get back in fighting shape.She knows this and steered me to this place inorder to help. On our way home i took the freeway off ramp and came to a stop in front of this really worn out looking fellow with a sign saying veteran , hungry and could use a meal . I asked jamie my friend to give me the change i collect in the glove box.I also found a use for the 15 taco bell chalupa coupons i get when i go to trailblazer bascketball games . Also i had 10 mcdonalds egg mcmuffins coupons they hand out if there are more than 4 3pters made in a half. Seeing how i dont eat bread as part of my diet they had accumulated over the season.THis fellows haul was $4.65 in change and the coupons . He seemed to be truly happy with his new found fortune . I asked him where and when he served . I find out we both were stationed on the nimitz at the same time during the cruise that launched the ill fated Iranian hostage helecopter resue mission in 1979-80.Before we could talk further the light changed and i had to go. My memory of the people i met on board is fuzzy now but i Tried to connect this man to a face from 35+ yrs ago Alas i was unsuccessful .Finally i just came to the conclusion it didnt really matter i just muttered semper fi and turned and smiled at my friend.

[RitchieRich]

1. Right on!

The world is still a good place, with good people in it.

[gateley]

2. There but for the grace of God...

It can truly happen to any one of us.

You're an angel for helping him, and he's an angel for taking those Temptation Coupons so you won't be tempted!

[pasto76]

3. this could be any one of us. Veteran homelessness is an epidemic

being a veteran, and knowing now how many homeless veterans there are, has changed my reaction to homeless people. I look for any hallmark of military. I try and help when I can. If you cant, or wont help some of them, just keep in mind that guy could be one of our nations heroes.

[Liberal_in_LA]

4. k&r