Believe it or not, the very next thing we did on Maui, after renting our awesome monster-puke green Mustang convertible, was at Wal-Mart. I know it sounds weird, but both the hotels we stayed in had kitchens. So we saved a lot of money by buying some groceries there. And of course I had to turn it into a bit of an adventure.
As we were entering the store, there was this old guy sitting in a folding chair near the door. He was a greeter…. but not your usual kind of greeter. He was very old, in his 90’s, and he was scruffy, with an unshaven chin. He was wearing this bizarre, soft outfit… matching pants and shirt, white and covered with a flower print. They looked like pajamas. Most people would have assumed he was some old homeless guy that the store felt sorry for, and gave the job as greeter so he wouldn’t just be hanging around for no reason.
I stopped and talked to the guy. I am just like that. My wife moved on. I started telling him about our plans, he told me about the weather, and what we could expect. I mentioned that I was a little disappointed to miss seeing Pearl Harbor, because of my study of military history. And he casually mentioned that he had been in the 82nd Airborne. My jaw dropped. I asked the obvious question… at least obvious to anyone who knows history.
‘Were you part of the D-day drop?’
He told me he was.
This funny old guy dropped behind Nazi lines the night before the troops landed in Normandy. I have read books, watched movies, played computer games, about those guys. And now I have met one of them. I talked to him for a while longer before I had to tear myself away. But I will always cherish that memory.
Pouring My Art Out 
Hello everyone, it’s my first visit at this site, and piece of writing is really fruitful in favor of me, keep up posting
these articles.
um, thank you…
No pic? What a great piece of history! I hope you asked for an autograph!
I didn’t… I was drunk… free Mai Tais on the plane…
Very cool but a shame you didn’t get on the Arizona. It is a real experience. Very moving, even for people who don’t really get it.
I do get it. And I will go back someday, hopefully.
You never know what someone’s story is until you ask. We talked to a lot of people that looked how you first described this guy, in Maui. Most of them had incredible stories to tell and had seen more than we ever would. They found their peace in Maui and are quite content to live a very subdued life there. I envy them. Your guy would have brought me to tears. All I have to do is look at the face of a vet and I get overwhelmed. Just the fact that they survive blows me away.
He was so upbeat and full of energy. He really lit up when he realized that I understood something of what he had been through. Thanks.
I think staying in a hotel with a kitchen in Hawaii is a must. Saves so much money! What an off chance meeting. This experience may have been more impactful than seeing Pearl Harbor. Great story:)
Thanks. I do tend to find interesting people in my life… and interesting situations.
That is so neat! It always pays to talk to the locals. 🙂
And crazy people.
A powerful moment I’m sure. I’ll bet that you’re glad you stopped to talk to him.
It was so cool.
Serendipity. It is amazing who you meet when you stop to talk to people. I bet you made his day too PMO, letting him know that what he did meant a lot to you.
People act like WW2 is ancient history.
WOW! I can imagine that it made his day as well. Having a “youngster” speak to him about the history and not just walk past him. I bet Mrs Pouring my Art Out was nearly finished by the time you ended your chat 🙂
uh… yeah… she was… doh
haha
yup
A good lesson in suspending judgment until we get to know someone.
Are we learning stuff again here? I really need to watch that…
It happens. Wadda ya gonna do? WAAAAAY behind on my reading and commenting.
It is all groovy
The quiet easily overlooked ones are often the ones with the best stories. So glad you stopped and talked.
They are… we should all remember that… thanks.