The Hitch Hiker

   Those of us with a sound mind know we operate in the realm of reality. We are aware of the environment around us, the dangers, the opportunities, rhythm, ebb and flow of the world we live in.

   On occasion, a reality pokes through the veil of my perception of the world. I’m reminded the circles I run in, are but a sub-division of a much larger world with realities that I’m aware of, but don’t think much about.

   This happened to me early Thursday morning. It was late when I was driving home from work. Actually, it was early, three or three thirty in the morning. I saw a guy on the side of the road thumbing for a ride. I didn’t see him until beside him. Moving too fast to stop, I kept driving.

   But regret followed when I noticed the way his head and shoulders sank as he realized yet another car had no intention of stopping. At this time of day, alcohol was probably involved and a wild story as well. NOBODY would be giving this dude a ride. I did a U turn.

   I pulled the truck to the shoulder in front of him. As he approached, I saw him hesitate a little, to see if it was a legitimate offer or getting him to jog up and then drive off. He later told me a few pulled that gag on him.

   His name was Eddie; he was a middle-aged guy, medium build and height and dressed typical for Florida with tank top and shorts. He carried his flip-flops because they broke from so much walking.

   We made casual conversation. His car broke down and had to walk for three hours trying to get a ride. Relieved to find him a normal guy. I’ll admit a voice in my head kept asking why the truck was stopping, was I nuts, did I want to be on the news? etc. Now I was glad I ignored it.

   We talked about how in years gone by, if one needed a ride, stick out that thumb, wait five minutes, and you’d be on your way. I’ve done it often. But the world has changed, and folks are reluctant to trust strangers. I’m not sure if it’s more crazy people in the world, or just more news coverage of them.

   As we talked about general things, he mentioned he served in the military. I thanked him for his service and inquired of the details. I don’t believe he would have told any of this had I not asked. He wasn’t the type to bloviate.

   He served four deployments in Afghanistan and Iraq. He told me he literally shed tears as they moved into Baghdad and witnessed the suffering under that loon Hussein. He went on to relate that he served as a sniper, with twenty-six kills to his credit.

   I’ve heard for every terrorist killed by a sniper, it's considered to be eight to ten lives prevented from being lost.

   I congratulated him on his success. I never met a war hero before. But he was less than proud and grateful.  He told me about his friend Mack, who trained with him, they were together for years. Mack gave him the coordinates on the target. He would inform Eddie if it was a hit or miss. The bad part was Mack actually witnessed the kills. Eddie said he couldn’t always see but Mack could. Mack was a great friend but had issues after the war. He struggled with things he’d seen that he couldn’t forget. He never got back to his full potential after the bloodshed he witnessed.

   “I just hope that God can forgive me.” Ed said softly. 
    I told him of the statistics I heard about, of the lives he prevented the loss of, and they now had kids and grandkids. Literally, hundreds of people were alive because of his service to the country.

   It seemed like great encouragement to me but he stared out the window at the closed businesses and darkened homes passing by.

  “They had families too.” was his only reply.

   Having the privilege of being a spectator in the arena and not a participant, I wanted to say “Well, one shouldn’t attack a Superpower if family well-being is a concern.” But I didn’t. It wasn’t a political thing, but human suffering. It hurt, and I had no authority to comment, even if its purpose was support.

   Ed continued and told me of four failed marriages and a girlfriend he was on the brink of losing. With anger issues, he was unable to maintain a good relationship. His haunting past stole any contentment he might have.

   You may pass Eddie on the street someday. You won’t look twice. He doesn’t stand out, just a face in the crowd.

   I wonder how many other people I pass in my travels, who carry around a burden that lingers forever, haunting and harassing their lives.

   We all struggle with various issues, complain about how hard we work, our jerk boss and taxes that never seem to stop.

   Life isn’t easy. But after my encounter with Eddie, I am embarrassed to whine. Bad drivers and long lines at the store are laughable in comparison to what my tortured friend deals with daily. It ends with the newscast for most of us; but others carry it for years afterward.

   Our troops deserve our support. They have witnessed hellish nightmares that haunt them long after they come home. Part of me is embarrassed for not having served, the other part is eternally grateful.