- Feb 5, 2002
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Went shopping with my wife today. At one grocery store we were in, there was an older fellow wearing an Army veteran's hat, and he had obviously been badly burned at some point in his past. He was not wearing any sort of mask.
As he approached the produce section, he was set upon by a young woman---late 20s, early 30s range. who loudly and angrily berated him for not having a mask on. There were several "shame on you's", accusations of selfishness and not caring about children, etc., etc., on and on. She was loud, and she was aggressive, and yes, she was actually pretty rude.
The veteran simply stood there and let her abuse him. When she finally stopped, he quietly asked, "Are you finished?" When she just stood there glaring at him, he said, "First of all, I have already had Covid-19, back in June, and recovered from it. Second of all, my lungs were burned from breathing napalm fumes in Vietnam in 1968. I lost 40% of my lung capacity, and I can't wear a mask, because if I do, I will pass out. I have a letter from my VA doctors in my pocket if you'd like to see it."
The woman stood there with her face hanging out, and her expression dropped about three feet. She started in with, "Oh, my gosh, I am so sorry...." but he held up a palm facing her and said, "Save it. You blew your chance for that ten minutes ago." Then he turned and walked away.
She looked like she'd been struck in the face, and he just looked grim. Myself and several others standing nearby applauded. He acknowledged this by nodding. He passed me (also wearing a veteran hat), and I said, "Welcome home, brother." He smiled and said, "You too. Thanks for your service."
It was one of the most amazingly gut-wrenching things I've ever seen. I've thought about it all afternoon, and I thought I would share. For those who shame anyone not wearing a mask: ask politely before you just lay into someone. Perhaps there's a very good reason why they're not wearing a mask.
As he approached the produce section, he was set upon by a young woman---late 20s, early 30s range. who loudly and angrily berated him for not having a mask on. There were several "shame on you's", accusations of selfishness and not caring about children, etc., etc., on and on. She was loud, and she was aggressive, and yes, she was actually pretty rude.
The veteran simply stood there and let her abuse him. When she finally stopped, he quietly asked, "Are you finished?" When she just stood there glaring at him, he said, "First of all, I have already had Covid-19, back in June, and recovered from it. Second of all, my lungs were burned from breathing napalm fumes in Vietnam in 1968. I lost 40% of my lung capacity, and I can't wear a mask, because if I do, I will pass out. I have a letter from my VA doctors in my pocket if you'd like to see it."
The woman stood there with her face hanging out, and her expression dropped about three feet. She started in with, "Oh, my gosh, I am so sorry...." but he held up a palm facing her and said, "Save it. You blew your chance for that ten minutes ago." Then he turned and walked away.
She looked like she'd been struck in the face, and he just looked grim. Myself and several others standing nearby applauded. He acknowledged this by nodding. He passed me (also wearing a veteran hat), and I said, "Welcome home, brother." He smiled and said, "You too. Thanks for your service."
It was one of the most amazingly gut-wrenching things I've ever seen. I've thought about it all afternoon, and I thought I would share. For those who shame anyone not wearing a mask: ask politely before you just lay into someone. Perhaps there's a very good reason why they're not wearing a mask.