Posted: 8/7/2006 10:26:16 PM EDT
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Guy was in front of a Publix supermarket with a table and sign. IT said somethign to the effect that his friend was killed in FEb and the soldiers family was having a hard time financially. HE also stated he was part of a group that helped collect over 30k for families like this. I was kind of in a rush and was going to give it a better lok over after I left the store until a few words srtuck out at me. the sign said the fallen hero was a SPECIAL FORCES RANGER. Right there started to get mad but I decided to geta better feeling for this. I asked the giy what group his fallen friend was from and he said "he was in the 82nd" and how they served together in the 80's but he got out and his buddy stayed in etc. He had lots of photos of the fallen trooper and most seemed to be from that era. He said he only had pictures from his personal collection to use and didnt have any recent ones to use yet. I told him I would talk to him more after I shopped for lunch. After I got out I asked "So was he in Special Forces? As Ranger? Or a PAratrooper? Which one was he?" "He was a Special Forces Ranger in the 82nd" is what he told me. I was a little mad and wondered how int eh hell does this guy who supposedly served know know crap? I poked around more. Me "When did you serve with him and when did you get out?" Him "In the early 80's we were stationed at Ft. Sherman" I asked what his (charisy collector)MOS was and I dont recal the # he told me but seemed like a Pogue MOS. I came to 3 possible conclusions 1. The guy was completely full of crap and needed a beating. 2. He was some guy helping the Charity and made up crap in order to get more donations. 3. He was what he said he was and was ignoratn of his buddys MOS (some folks still have no idea what other MOS do and will call other Rangers and SF, well pogues do this at times especially if they have been out almost 20yrs.) There were many other querstions I wished I asked. Anyway I tossed $5 in the box. I figured I was not positive yet and to not give to a soldiers family woud have made me feel pretty terrible later if I cheaped out. I remember the name of the soldier. Last name was Williamson, Killed in Iraq in Feb 06. He said the guys was in the 82ns but I know folks who were in the 18th and even 1st coscom who were labelled 82ns by those who did not know better. To them anyone who jumped was in the 82ns. So far I cannot fins any names like his as being killed in IRaq. CAn anyone here find similar with the scant info I remembered? If this is a phony I will spend a weekend hitting every Publix in search of this guy. I am going to bed and will check tomorrow if anyone finds anything. Thanks |