Barney...there's just something about a hat

I met Barney today in the parking lot of a neighborhood grocery store. I was walking driving by and since I just happened to have my camera on the seat next to me when I spotted him I quickly found a parking place and Ambled on. Right up front, with just a bare few niceties, asked him if I could take his photo.
Barney said, "Well, yes!" I asked him if he was a Marine. Once a Marine, always...
He said, yes indeed he was and we proceeded to hold what can only be described as very one-sided conversation.

Barney is a veteran of both WW2 and the Korean Conflict. I did some fast and nasty math...he's at right about 90. At first the Marines didn't want him because he was "too small" but I guess they eventually ran out of Big Guys and he enlisted. He didn't share much about his WW2 experiences, maybe he was too Young to remember.

He told me about being in a helicopter crash in Korea. He and one other marine were the only survivors out of a crew of 8. He said that he doesn't know why he lived and the others didn't. I talked with Barney for about 20 minutes until the heat got to me...(80F and sunny). I shook his hand and thanked him for his service. He seemed very pleased with that. If I see Barney in the neighborhood, I'll stop to talk with him again...camera or no.