The Veteran

I watched him shake although he was fearless watching old war movies falling to sleep on western films in his slumped over recliner I studied him as he opened sardine cans as if they were c rations he fascinated me as we struggled with his support socks due to his legs swelling up so badly he never complained paralyzed in one arm if you asked him how he was feeling he'd quickly respond fantastic I'm fantastic even when he didn't seem fantastic rattling on his walking stick he closed himself off from the world there was only one photo hanging sideways on his wall it read purple heart recipient Vietnam this fragile man with eyes of a stealth bomber wasn't just my dad, husband, neighbor or friend he was My American Hero