Eugene Pottinger is on his way home!

August 13, 2012 ~ Today was a good day. I was thankful that Eugene had a warm bed to sleep in last night because a storm was headed our way. I don't think we got much in Midway as the storm broke up before it hit but there was lighting. (I couldn't imagine being all alone in this crazy world and trying to find shelter at night) I called his room at 7:45 am and asked him to meet me at the Midway Family Restaurant at 8:15 am. I couldn't expect a man to travel without a good meal first so I bought him whatever he wanted. He ordered steak and eggs with Texas toast and strawberry jelly. I knew he was hungry and it's probably been awhile since he had a good meal.

I needed to talk to Michelle at the Columbia Greyhound. Since he only had a social security card for identification I would need to beg for an exception to be made.

We started making small talk and I started asking him a few more questions as I really wanted to know more about him. He said that he was born and raised in Chicago, IL and has a twin brother, George who he hasn't seen in many years. His mother passed away in 1989 and his father was never really around. He joined the military and served primarily in Vietnam from age 18-38. In those 20 years his title would be Commander Navy Seal. Things began to get emotional for me as he talked. I could see the hurt in his eyes and that made me sad. He said that he spent 5 years in the states and the first 8 months training to become a seal. His mission was to seek and destroy. He was a POW (Prisoner of War) for almost 4 years. Upon being released he came back to the states and spent 18 months in Maryland to try and get back to a regular state of mind. I didn't push him to talk about what happened as I knew he had been through so much. He also had been exposed to Agent Orange. At that point he had a decision to get out of the military or volunteer to help get other people out of being a POW. He said at that point it was like a suicide mission for him. He said he really didn't have much to live for and if he were to get killed while serving it was ok but if he could get our men back then he got back at those people that hurt him.  He said that he found one of our men and got him back home. I asked where he had served and he said Siagon, Vitnam mostly but also Taiwan, Aboud & Hanowi.

I could tell that it was not something easy for him to talk about so after a long pause I started asking him about his family. He said that once he got back to San Diego, CA (specifically Linda Vista, CA) that his wife would pick him up. He doesn't have any kids and they have been married for 19 years. Her name is Robin (aka "The Boss") and she works for a hotel as a host. Once he got back home he would have a home and be able to find work pretty easy. He said that he has worked in the steel / construction industry and wasn't afraid to work. He said he went to work for a company in North Carolina but after 18 months they were shut down because of back taxes. So he made it to Kentucky and helped out on a horse ranch. He said he didn't have a clue about horses but did whatever needed to be done. His focus was on getting back home.

He said that he had been clean for 3 years now. No alcohol or drugs just cigarettes and coffee. He said that he realizes that he put his wife through hell but when he got back from the war the first thing he did was burned his uniforms/fatigues. He said that when he got off the plane people would spit on him and call him really bad names and he hurt. After serving his country and yet to be treated less than a human was hard to handle. You could see so much emotion in his eyes as he talked, opening up to a total stranger yet I think it was good for both of us to hear this information. For him, living through all of this and having someone who wouldn't judge him was good. For me, one can never really understand what war does to a person. I could tell it forever changed him.

At 9:05 am I made the phone call to Michelle at the Greyhound station. She listened as I explained our situation and was willing to make sure we got him on the bus! I immediately called Taxi Terry's and had them come pick him up. He was excited. I know he probably thought this wasn't for real, how could his life start to get better in the 3 days he had met me.He quickly ran over to the hotel and I waited until the taxi got there. Pretty sad when all the things you have fit in a duffel bag and a backpack but it didn't matter... he was going home!

At 9:40 am Taxi Terry arrived.... the bus would be leaving at 9:50 am and I was getting nervous. I told him that the taxi driver would be driving like a crazy man but we were going to get to the bus station quickly! He was loaded up and I was following behind. I called Michelle again at the bus station and told her what was going on. She said the bus would not wait however there was another bus behind it and it would leave in 30 minutes! (Thank goodness!) We arrive at the bus station at 9:48 am and we ran inside to get a ticket. He was really getting happy now! We got his ticket and walked outside. I gave him a full new tablet of writing paper as he said he was almost out, some cash and a self addressed stamped envelope and told him that when he got home I wanted a letter from him. He said he would send a letter and a picture of California! I gave him a quick hug and headed out the door. By 10:30 am he would be on his journey home.

Today was a very emotional day for me. To hear him talk about things that he had experienced, where he has come from and choosing to be "clean" for 3 years made this all worth while. I knew there was something special about this guy and all of his life he has been judged, mistreated or put down. Today that wasn't going to happen. I wish him safe travels as he makes his 2 day trek and I look forward to receiving his letter. Until then know that he is in good hands and soon enough he will be reunited with his wife.

On my way back to the shop I couldn't help but look over. This spot at the top of exit 121 seemed so sad and lonely but the thought of him being so completely happy makes me smile. It's been a great day......

A Hero’s Hero

So Many Soldiers
Living on the Street
Their Spirits Broken
With Defeat.

What Must They Think
When They Look Around
Eyes Passing By
Staring at the Ground.

Does Anger Fill Them
When We Turn Away,
From the Debts We Owe
That Should Be Repaid ?

What If A That Moment,
Just Once, Instead
We Saluted in Honor,
Right Hand to Head?

To Let Them Know
They are Not Ghosts,
Thanking Them for
Being Braver Than Most.

If Everyone Would
Show Them Grace
We Just Might Find
Their Pain Erased.

For All the Heroes,
Still Fighting To Live
And For Heroes Like You
Who Continue to Give.

If You See Someone
Who Is Really Lost
Please Stop and Remember
What Our Freedoms Cost.