You’d never guess

If you so-ever happen to see this unknown older gentleman just standing there, upside of a small structured building on 13^th and vliet st. minding his own business; you’d never guess that he was born unto a loving and caring mother, who had no idea at that time that she was 4 years away from her own untimely death, and that his father was a decorated war hero from wars past.

If you so-ever happen to notice this unknown older gentleman strolling casually south, down 13^th street headed towards highland ave. while enjoying a mild breeze that blew across Dr. Martin Luther King jr. park; you’d never guess that according to his Doctors, his life once hung in the balance on the day he was born on St. Patrick’s day with double pneumonia.

If you so-ever happen to visit Pere Marquette park on Juneau and Old World 3^rd street and saw this unknown older gentleman sitting along the wall on the waters edge feeding the ducks, and for some reason you had cause to shake his hand; you’d never guess that his was one of many strong and reliable hands that which helped build the New York city twin towers.

If you so-ever happen to find yourself in line at the Dunkin doughnuts on Wisconsin ave., and you heard this unknown older gentleman speak in a polite and pleasant manner as he ordered his coffee and a bagel; you'd never guess that his voice once roared like a lion during the strenuous and rigorous training of new young recruits as he prepared them for their tour of desert storm.

If you so-ever happen to witness this unknown older gentleman performing a generous act of kindness towards a total stranger by helping a disabled motorist push their car to the side of the road and refusing a reward; you’d never guess, that as a marine he once stood on the deck of the air craft carrier Midway at the age of 19 years-old as he witnessed the fall of Saigon.

If you so-ever happen to pay close attention to the distinguishing cap that this unknown older gentleman wore; you’d never guess that the badges, symbols, insignia’s, and the golden plumes on the brim, told his whole life story; his love of God, family and country, along with the personal demons he’s faced, and all the lives he’s touched and possibly saved, all in the name of democracy.

If you so-ever happen to ask this unknown older gentleman about the representation of his head gear; you’d never guess that his answer would admirably astound you to learn that it was that of the 82^nd airborne screaming eagles; that which represented the hearts and spirit of the fighting men and women of the 102 division rangers, and that he wore it proudly everywhere he went.

And if you so-ever happen to ask me, if I know the name of this unknown older gentleman Veteran and how I came to know his mid life story; you’d never guess that I’d tell you that his full name is not pertinent to the story in itself, but I will tell you that he just prefers to be called Pat; and I met him for the first time as I conversed with him while standing there at the end of his bed on April 12^th 2010 while we were both homeless residents at the Milwaukee guess house.