How I Met a World War II Veteran at the Mall Where I Worked One Rainy Day
Posted: Tuesday, November 10, 2009
by Nenita Wells
Have you ever thought that one day you will meet in person one of the brave men and women who fought during the second World War so that we live in a free and independent world? I have heard so many heroic stories about them and read so many books about this brave men and women that I wished one day, I will meet one of them .
It was Monday morning, just like any other day at the Customer Service Information counter at the Mall when I met him. There were no special events at the Mall and at the nearby Convention Center where I worked, but the day started when the fire alarm sounded. An announcement was made to vacate the mall and to immediately proceed to the staircases leading to the streets. It turned out it was just a test.
The rain has temporarily stopped and the sun came out from its hiding. As in any other day, shoppers and visitors usually go to the Customer Service counter to ask direction, request information or were just strolling and window shopping at the mall. "Will you show me where the restrooms are?" is one of the frequently asked questions, " It is on the right-hand side before you reach the escalators." I said. "Thank you."she said. The lady walked towards the direction of the restrooms with two young girls in pink polka dotted raincoats following directly behind her.
The next person asked, "Will you tell me what is showing at the Imax theater and what the show times are?" I looked it up quickly in the website. Her child was getting impatient and was crying. I gave her the information she needed, she left and said thanks.
At around twelve noon, office workers wearing suits and with their jogging shoes on do a fifteen minute power walk around level one and level two at the corridors. Visitors to the mall started coming in to eat at the food court area on Level 3.
Out of the corner of my eye I saw a frail-looking tall gentleman with a khaki raincoat approaching the Customer Service counter. I was glad to see him. He is one of the frequent mall visitors. In the morning at around eleven or twelve he stops by at the Customer Service counter waves his hand and says hello.
I have not seen him for a couple of days, I had the feeling that he was sick. He must have looked at one time like a handsome officer in uniform; he has fine facial features, blue eyes, tall and he still has a thick graying head of hair.
" How are you today, Sir?"I asked and his reply is often "Ahhhh. there is no use complaining" He never gave his name but he had told me that he is a veteran of World War II in the U.S. Air Force and was sent to Europe, he was in the European Theater of Operation.
Oftentimes, when he stopped by at the counter, he will say, "Do you know that I am 92 years old and when you are my age, your sight is not as good as it used to be." as he was checking the numbers of his instant lottery tickets he had folded in his brown leather wallet. He gave me the tickets to scan and see if he won something.
The machine sounded to the tune of the song, " I'm in the money." Gleefully, I told him that he had won $5.00 and he said "Ahhh, you never win big with this thing." I gave him his winnings of $5.00 and with a smile he walked away. He went to have lunch on Level 3 of the Mall where the food court area is located. "I will see you again." said the 92-year old veteran of World War II. With a smile, I replied, "You visit us again, and enjoy the day."
The rain has completely stopped and I saw two or three people throwing their umbrellas in the trash cans. They mall visitors proceeded to shop, eat lunch, go to the movies or play at the arcade.
The school children and their teachers who arrived in their school buses in the morning during the rain, to see the show at the movies, finished their lunch at the food court. They are now getting ready to go back to their respective buses parked in front of the mall.
That same tall elderly gentleman, the veteran of World War II came back to the counter misty-eyed and said to me, " I would like to tell you what happened to me and my buddies during the war." I replied saying that I will be delighted and honored to hear all about it. "How about if I tell it to you over a cup of coffee on Friday after work?" "Wonderful, I will see you then," I said.
We shook hands. My wish came true for I have finally met a World War II veteran. Heartily and respectfully, I said, "Thank you." and he walked away.
By Nenita Wells
10NOV2009
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The author was born in one of the 7,100 islands in the Philippines, in Leyte where the famous American five-star general, Douglas MacArthur landed during WWII. She is one of eight children, and she has thirty-five nieces and nephews. She was raised by her parents to be a good Christian. Attended public school both in Elementary and High School in the Philippines. She went to college under the work and study program, earned her bachelor's degree with honors and her first paid full-time job was as secretary to the High School Principal, her first boss was a Benedictine Sister from Germany who was the Administrator of the Catholic school. She lived in New York City from 1977 to 2004 and now lives in Providence, Rhode Island. She loves to read and write poetry.
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More commentsI met a WWII veteran years back when I was working as a cook. I started asking some questions and could tell he did not want to talk about it. However, I did thank him for his service and all was good.Hi Steve. I appreciate very much you stopping by to read and comment on my article. Some of them had a very traumatic experience during the war and would not want to reminisce, they have their own reasons. Your thanking him for his service was appreciated I am sure. Best regards to you and yours. Nenita
Wonderful and heartwarming story Nenita. I was truly blessed by it. Thanks for sharing.Hi Dr. Rhymes. I appreciated very much your reading and commenting. Thank you for kind words, it means a lot to me. Thanks again for stopping by. Blessings. Nenita
What lovely writing Nenita and a lovely article, you painted such a vivid picture by your passionate writing style. Thank you.Hi Gracey. Thank you so much for taking the time to read and comment. Your kind words inspire me to write better. Thanks again for stopping by. Best regards to you and yours, Nenita
Beautiful story Nenita. Those old boys had it rough. They deserve all the thanks and kindness one can dole out. The good part is most of them never wanted any praise or recognition. Almost every able bodied man went so they all feel as if it was their duty...and they love this country.Their patriotism is of the highest degree. I will never forget that the freedom I am enjoying now is the result of their heroic sacrifices. I will forever be grateful. Joel, thank you for your kind words and for taking the time to stop by, read and comment, I truly am appreciative of this. Nenita
I think older people can give us some of the greatest history lessons. I love going to the senior center and talking to people in their 80's +. Thank you for a great human interest story., Linda DThank you Linda for taking the time to read and comment. I belong to a 55+ senior group and I am one of the youngest who is "taking advantage" of the wealth of information my club members offered. They are like a walking encyclopedia. Thanks again for stopping by. Nenita
Quite astounishing while reading. It reminds of my father tho not a soldier but did a lot of serving in the military. And got wounded trying to serve his country. And becoz of this he gave me my life. Then picturing the mall was great too and refreshing. The glitch of the story is the throwing of umbrella. ???????....Nice story.Hi Norman. Thank you for stopping by, reading and commenting. Yes, I remember your Dad, may he rest in peace. In the U.S. some people hate carrying umbrella around (your Mom is one of them, ask her, LOL) so when the rain stops they throw away the umbrella and then buy one again when there is rain, it is true! When I lived in New York, I used to pick nice umbrellas from the trash cans (thrash cans are clean here), repair them and send them to the Philippines, sort of recycling them to save the world from too much garbage. hehehe. Take good care and say hello for me to your family. Love, Tita Nenet
Wonderful story, Nenita. We never know whose lives we touch, do we? This gentleman is blessed to have met you and we are all blessed he chose to serve.It is good to hear from you. Thank you, Ken for reading and commenting. I also am blessed having the opportunity to meet him. Thanks again for stopping by. Best regards, ~Nenita~
An enjoyable article, thanks for sharing it with us and for sharing a little of your insight about the gentleman you met at the mall.Hi Ben. Thank you so much for taking the time to read and comment. Connor was saying that his wish is to meet a WWI veteran. The last of the British veteran of WWI and WWII lives in Australia and is now 108. Thanks again for stopping by and your kind words mean a lot to me. ~Nenita~
Hello!Thanks for the wonderful article! I used this article to practice my Bosnian language, hope you don't mind!I agree with Nancy, the article allows u to picture it totally which added more nice flavor while reading.
Hi Hyun Soung. Thank you so much for reading my article. I appreciate your stopping by and making a comment.I hope you did well in your entrance exams -- I am sure you did!Best regards ~~Nenita
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