The coins hit with a clink, clunk, and clang as I tossed them into his can. He was bearded, heavily layered, and disheveled, holding a sign reading “Vietnam Vet: Anything helps.” I didn’t know what else to do. “Happy Veterans Day,” he said with a nod. I wasn’t sure what he meant since the holiday had been two weeks prior. I thought for a moment of explaining myself to him, that I had served, too. A different war, a different return home, but still a struggle no less. I had no more coins to give, though, and continued on home.
Michael Anthony is the author of the graphic memoir “Just Another Meat-Eating Dirtbag: A Memoir” and the award-winning memoir “Civilianized: A Young Veteran’s Memoir.” Find Michael at masscasualties.com, on Twitter @M_ichaelAnthony, and on Instagram @m_ichaelanthonyauthor.