Street Portrait - Hero

We were sitting around for a pint of beer at Marlena's when he walked over to turn on the light behind us. Not thinking much of it, we admired his uniform. Costume, really, we thought.

"What is it? Marine?" we asked.

"No," he said. "Air traffic controller." I thought that was the end of the conversation. No surprise here that I can't recognize an air traffic controller when I see one. All uniforms look mostly alike to me.

Then Robin asked about the medals. "And what about those? Are they real? Did you get them?"

He shyly explained that they were. And what they were all for. I'd tell you, but the only thing I can remember is that I was impressed. Quite impressed. He explained that he was at the bar with 'his fellow' to celebrate the end of 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell.' And that's when I knew that there were medals he deserved that weren't there on his chest. And we thanked him for serving his country even when it wasn't ready to accept him.

I didn't catch his name, but I hope he had an excellent night out. And I hope that when I get to be his age that any of my old clothes continue to fit so well!