Korean War Vet Friend

This is Korean War vet friend, otherwise known as Tom. Sharp as a tack at 91-years old, we’ve found a lot of common interests. He was a leader in the fight against the Rosemont mine. Today, one part of our conversation was about how Lake Mead and Lake Powell are at record lows and how it’s going to effect our water supply from the Colorado River. He spoke intelligently about glaciers and rising sea levels. We also have a common interest in space.
 
We don’t see each other every day but he always has a copy of Sky & Telescope magazine to give me. He was so excited to see me today that he scooted out of the deli without his coffee and scone (they brought it out to him).


Tom’s wife passed away several years ago so he takes comfort in his pets. He has three cats: Vivi, Rusty and one whose name I forgot. One is half bobcat. He is also entertained by his two birds, a Cockatiel and an African gray bird.

He is so interesting to talk to. He grew up in Indiana. He had a lot of professional careers throughout his life. He taught engineering at Notre Dame University, worked for the state in some capacity having to do with their water and energy systems and was an ordained minister who presided over funerals in Las Vegas, among other things. And of course, he fought in the Korean War.

He always wears his cap and takes pride when strangers pass by and thank him for his service (three times this morning!) When he sees a Vietnam veteran, his go-to line is, “you fought in the hot war and I fought in the cold war,” referencing the different weather conditions.

Always happy to see his friends and acquaintances at the deli, he wears a perpetual smile.

Tom is one of the good guys and I am grateful to know him.

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These are a little early to use but they made me laugh...because they're so true...

You know you're in Arizona when...
*You no longer associate bridges (or rivers) with water.
*You can say 110 degrees without fainting.
*You learn that a seat belt makes a pretty good branding iron.
*You discover that you can get a sunburn through your car window.
*The best parking place is determined by shade instead of distance.
*Hot water now comes out of both taps.
*You suffer a 2nd degree burn on your hand opening the car door.
*Your biggest bicycle wreck fear is, "What if I get knocked out and end up lying on the pavement and cook to death?"
*You realize that asphalt has a liquid state.