L1050317
Cold, standing at the end of the Macy’s day parade gathering here stood “ John Doe”. Not willing to share his name but willing to share his story we talked about his time in the Army in the Signal Corp. (Communication/IT). He said during his time he and others experienced some of the hardest times not because of the Army was hard rather the two Army’s that existed for those black vs white. He went on to say as a black man none of the guys wanted to jump out of planes yet they would be harassed to do so and further would push them out of the plane. He said we learned quick.
He said once in “Nam”. They would get purposely left behind enemy lines which has embedded anger deep within him that he still struggles today with on top of living on the streets.
He said he has close by family but in their financial situation he spends most of his time outside. After a brief conversation we went over to the the deli on the corner and purchased him a breakfast sandwich and hot coco and he hugged me