Veterans
A homeless veteran sold me a newspaper and pointed out that it was Veterans Day. Then he started to tell me some stories about Vietnam. His mother had apparently threatened him: "If you get killed in Vietnam, I'll kill you!" He attributed his survival to his terror of his mother's retribution.
The veteran also suggested that I call my father to tell him I was proud of him, if my father had been a Vietnam veteran. In fact, my father was a Vietnam-era antiwar activist and alternative-service CO. I am proud of him, and I will call him to tell him so.
I know some people in the Armed Forces: the several alums of my high school who went off to the United States Naval Academy each year, and Eric's brother Scott, who is an activated Army reservist. If I knew how to get in touch with any of them, I would let them know that I'm hoping for their safety.
