Veterans’ Affairs

I want to share an experience I had today. I had just left from a meeting with Peter and Mara from Harbor Homes. If you know Nashua, NH then you will know the area that I will describe. If you travel north on Main St. There is an intersection that has a pub on the right called Peddlers Daughter and on the left is an alley way with railroad tracks running through it. As I approached the red light I looked over towards the alley and noticed two people picking in the trash. I just stared through my car window. It looked like they were eating something from a bag. Most people would have just turned their head away in disgust and driven on, but I just watched.

The light turned green and for a moment I hesitated. I remember thinking that I could just drive home or do something. I cut across a lane and went down the adjoining road and turned around. I went back, parked and walked up to them.

I don’t know how much I had in my pocket but I just pulled out what I had and smiled and said that they deserved a better meal than that. The woman responded by saying that she didn’t want it. I insisted and without a word just nodded and walked back to my car.

On the way home I thought about the documentary. I thought about what goal I hope to accomplish in the end. I have no idea who those people were. All I knew was their situation was worse off than mine and I did something. I just hope that for a moment they felt like someone genuinely cared, because I did. Selfless service mixed with a little compassion can go a long way. That’s what I hope to spread when this is all said and done.