Yesterday, I was on the subway when a pale, dark-haired man in a tattered uniform made his way down the aisle.
“Please help a homeless veteran,” he said as he passed by.
An older lady in a pink pantsuit sitting next to me gave him a few dollars.
“Thank you,” he said.
“No, thank you,” she said, and saluted him.
He smiled at that, and saluted her back.
Then the train stopped and he got off.
My late stepfather served in all the wars from WWII through Vietnam. He ran away from home at 14 to join the marines, and performed seven tours in Vietnam, but at the end of his life had completely reversed his position on the value of war. I salute him and all soldiers who served.
How does your main character feel about the men and women serving in the military? How does she feel about charity? Would he/she have given this man money? Why?