Sad Times

Rusty McDonald

Rusty McDonald

Joined
Mar 28, 2007
Messages
1,171
So I take My daughter to Wal-Mart to go get some things for the house you know TP and laundry detergent and possibly a toy for her. We get checked out and push our buggy to the truck, with way more than TP and detergent.
And a man drives up clean cut, shaved in what I would consider work clothes and said, "Mr. I have never done this before but I'm 60 miles from home and I'm about out of gas". first thing that comes to my mind is he wants drugs or something. So I talked to him for a bit just to see what his angle was, Before you say what if he was a car jacker or something, I had My .45 on my hip and am a pretty good shot.
We get to talking and he said he is a retired Marine before I could think I said Simper Fi, because I am also a Marine. Come to find out he was in the first desert conflict and the second, we talk about where we were stationed and what our mos were. The man starts Crying and its all I could do not to at this point. Grown men shouldn't be crying in front of other men, was what I was thinking. He said "I'm sorry for bothering you Devil dog" and started to drive away. I stoped him and gave him a 20 and said Simper Fi again and walked away. Man I hope that was the right thing to do.
When I got back in the truck my daughter asked me who that man was and I told her. He's a war hero that was down on his luck.
Damn I must be getting soft.
 
You'll probably never know if you were the victim of a scam or not but there is also a chance you did a good thing. Dwell on that aspect and you'll sleep well at night.
 
Rusty,
But what if what he told you was true? Then you helped out a fellow Marine.
If it didn't hurt you, and really did help him, you did the right thing....
I'd want to think that is the case......and hope you do....
 
You know, the way I look at those things, you have to do what you feel in your heart. I've seen scammers tell one story to me one day, and the next week see them telling a different story to someone else. When I don't have cash on me, I often offer up prayers for whatever situation they're in. Mostly I don't give out cash much, but I did give a man a good bit one day after sitting down with him and listening to his story. He was begging money outside of a store, and though I didn't have any cash when he asked the first time, as I was driving home, something (someone) in my heart told me I needed to go back. I stopped at an ATM, turned around and went back. We spent about 30 minutes just discussing where he was at in his life. I think knowing that someone cared meant more to the guy than all the money in the world, though the money helps.

Unfortunately, with today's world, you never know what you're getting into, but remember that what you do for the least of these..... May we all have the grace to spend a few minutes and a few dollars to not just give a buck, but to give compassion and love for our fellow man.

--nathan
 
About 25 years ago, the "Will Work For Food" sign guys started showing up at the intersections and entryways to the stores. This was before the "Vietnam Vet Needs Your Help" signs. Around here they are all winos and junkies.

One Sunday I was pulling into a shopping center, and noticed a fairly clean cut man in his early twenties holding a WWFF sign. I ignored him, but when leaving took a second look. His hair was military, and his face was really sad. I turned around, parked, and walked up to him. I asked what was up? He immediately said that if I had any yard work or odd jobs, he would do them for me. He said he had a wife and a year old baby, and they were out of food,and payday was still a week away. He never asked for any money, just work. I had my twelve year old son with me,and was on the way back from a food drive my scout troop had been doing. I was taking it to the food bank the next morning. The back of my van had about 1000 pounds of food in it. I asked where he lived, and he pointed across the street to a small trailer park, just outside the back gate of the Amphib Base. I told him to hop in, that I could help him.I think he thought we were going to do some yard work. We drove to his trailer, and it was a sad little place indeed. The wife and little girl were there, and there was not a bit of food in the place. We started carrying in canned goods and dry goods. We filled his cabinets. He offered us a soda ( it was hot as heck in that trailer), and my son said yes. When he opened the refrigerator door, there was nothing but two cans of store brand soda in there. I really mean nothing. I asked what the baby ate and drank, and he said that they had one jar of baby food left, that is why he was trying to find some work to buy more. I put him in the van and drove to the store. I bought about $20 in baby food and milk ( a good bit back then). When we got back, his wife was crying real hard. He calmed her down and she said she had never been so scared in her life, with no food and no money. She couldn't believe that this was happening. Next thing, he starts crying, then me. My son looked at us sort of strange, but you could see the wet in his eyes,too. I gave the man $20, and my card. I told him to call me on Tuesday and I would have a phone number for him.
I knew the owner of the motel just around the corner. He always needed someone to do odd work and lot cleaning. He gave the fellow several hours work each week.

When I saw the man my mind said, "SCAM". I was glad I took a second look. I also feel that it was more than a coincidence that the food, my son and I, and that man were all at the same place that day.


Today, the pan handlers are all over the place.
When I am approached by someone in a parking lot with a, "I haven't eaten for two days, could you spare a few dollars for a vet...." story, I often ask if I can buy them a meal at a nearby food place, usually they just walk away. Once in a while I get a taker, and go have a meal with them. A few have had a long rough road. Several were former military who did their part, but never got back into a civilian job.

Stacy
 
Rusty McDonald said:
So I take My daughter to Wal-Mart to go get some things for the house you know TP and laundry detergent and possibly a toy for her. We get checked out and push our buggy to the truck, with way more than TP and detergent.
And a man drives up clean cut, shaved in what I would consider work clothes and said, "Mr. I have never done this before but I'm 60 miles from home and I'm about out of gas". first thing that comes to my mind is he wants drugs or something. So I talked to him for a bit just to see what his angle was, Before you say what if he was a car jacker or something, I had My .45 on my hip and am a pretty good shot.
We get to talking and he said he is a retired Marine before I could think I said Simper Fi, because I am also a Marine. Come to find out he was in the first desert conflict and the second, we talk about where we were stationed and what our mos were. The man starts Crying and its all I could do not to at this point. Grown men shouldn't be crying in front of other men, was what I was thinking. He said "I'm sorry for bothering you Devil dog" and started to drive away. I stoped him and gave him a 20 and said Simper Fi again and walked away. Man I hope that was the right thing to do.
When I got back in the truck my daughter asked me who that man was and I told her. He's a war hero that was down on his luck.
Damn I must be getting soft.
Click to expand...

Put all thoughts of a scam out of your mind. You did a favor for a brother. That's all you should be thinking about.

I'm no Marine, just a regular old vet. But I thank you, anyway.

Compassion and softness. Two very different things.
 
Rusty, you did the right thing. After meeting you at the hammer in, I am not surprised by this story. I saw the type of man you are and believe you are a good judge of character. Way to go. Never know in this life, can be you there before you know it.
 
Rusty,
Once I decide to "thaw out a little" and give money to some one asking for help, something kind of clicks and I no longer give a second thought to what they might really do with it. The way I figure it is like this. If they really need it then I have done a good thing, but if they have pulled a scam on somebody willing to help, well they will have to answer for it to somebody for it eventually. So if you approach me looking for a little help, you have to answer to me BEFORE I reach for my wallet and afterwards to someone else.

Now sometimes I do worry about having to answer for where I set my particular "thaw line".......
 
Good job! You couldn't pay for a lesson so good for your daughter to see.
 
Man these are some wonderful stories of Great people helping one another out, I know of the scams, been caught up in a few but what matters is what your heart tells you. Stacy and Rusty you guys are Great examples of what men should be.
 
I was a Reservist for a while when I first got off of active duty and we did several charity events like Toys-for-Tots or raising money for vets. It has always been something that I liked to do because it makes me feel so good to give back to those whom I feel deserve it.
The Kids are our future and we help to mold them into the kinds of people that will take care of us when we get to the point that we cant take care of ourselves.
The vets are the people that have given part or all of thier lives, whether it be four years or twenty, to care for us all in one way or another and should be honored more because they have earned the respect they should be given.
When I see the protestors waiting more or less in ambush on funeral routes when a fallen service member is being transported to a grave site, it makes my heart heavy to begin with but then I get furious about it. I get mad because that service member died to keep and give the right for those idiots to do this. You dont have to respect the war but please respect the warrior, has been and will always be my belief for more reasons than I care to go into here.
When I get the chance to give back to those that deserve it, I do.
 
OldPhysics said:
I'm no Marine, just a regular old vet. But I thank you, anyway.

QUOTE]

In my mind there is no such thing as a "regular old vet"! You're all aces, as far as I'm concerned.

I've never been in the military, but three of my brothers spent time in the military and I respect them for their sacrifices, so that I have freedom.
Click to expand...
 
What Scott said. :thumbup:

Rusty, you're a good man. Your daughter will likely tell that story to her kids one day.

I used to always buy an extra bag of groceries when shopping, for the local food pantry (they have 'em pre-packed with staples, not candy and pop but pasta and sauce and canned veggies etc.) Only cost me a few bucks. I thought it was a good example for my kid and what the heck, I could afford it. A time came when I was laid off and found myself at that very food pantry, humbly asking for food for me and my daughter. It hurt me bad to do that but I was mighty glad they were there. Thankfully, I'm in a better position now and can once again contribute.
 
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I had an opposite experience of sorts. I was approached by a young man that said that he needed money for insulin. I asked how much the prescription cost to fill. He said it was $16. Not knowing if this was true, I told him that I would drive him to Walmart and pay for the prescription. He agreed surprisingly. We got there and he got in line at the pharmacy. I told him that I was going to the sporting goods and that I would be right back. Less than 5 minutes later I went back up to the line at the pharmacy. Everyone else was still there. The guy was gone. I spotted him ducking behind some cars as I was walking out to the parking lot. I didn't feel bad for trying to help, but I was kinda mad that the guy BS'd me.
 
Chech this story out, One night about 3 months ago I hopped on the motorcycle and took a ride down to the store around 11:00. i parked got off and a man approached me and asked if I would buy him the special at sonic right across the street. Me being the big push over I am said yes as he started telling me his sad story. I gave him 10.00 dollars and wished him luck and watched as he crossed the highway toward sonics. I went into the store bought a drink, cigs and left. Half way home I noticed I had left my drink on the counter while talking to the cashier and turned around to go back and when I got their I noticed 4 guys sitting out front drinking beer, and one was the guy I had just given 10.00 too. I went in and asked the cashier if the guy had came in and bought the beer and she said yes right after you left he turned around and walked in and bought the beer. Now it takes me alot to get fighting mad, but I was.... Here I am working to put my wife thru college, paying all the bills working my ass off everyday and this guy pulls one over on me, well I decided it wasnt gonna happen. i walked outside and told him I wanted my beer or 10.00 back and he laughed told me to f@#k off, well lets just say I got my beer from all of them, and the ones that where missing I made the guys go in and buy another one to replace it. Still to this day when I go in that store the cashier laughs his butt of at that. I remember it hurt me so bad to feel like I was used but my Dad had beer for alittle while anyways. I have had people that really needed help and took it, you never know what can happen.
 
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