by a former Special Forces Officer
Today, I met an American…
I was walking my dog, early in the morning at our town’s municipal park. It was early Sunday morning, and the park was quiet, devoid of anyone else. I enjoy the park most of all when its empty, it provides intellectual space and solitude to think.
Around the corner, I saw a man approaching in a slow but steady jog. His appearance would probably put most people on guard, as he did not appear to be a local. Short in stature, mid to late thirties, weathered skin, lean, looking like a man who worked outdoors most of his life. His clothes were old and out of style, they looked as though they were from a thrift shop, but they were clean, functional and he wore them with pride.
As he approached my dog and me, he did something rarely seen these days, he smiled and said hello. I returned the greeting, pleasantly surprised by his cheerfulness as I watched him shuffle on by.
His attitude was infectious, and his simple greeting and positive demeanor helped shake the dark thoughts ruminating in my own mind. Thoughts about the state of the country and where the country appears to be heading.
The next day, I saw him again at the park, this time he was shuffling along the length of the parking lot, in his shabby clothes that probably doubled as both his workout clothes and work clothes.
As I watched him from a far, he hadn’t yet seen me, I noticed that at various intervals of his jogging, he would stop and reach toward the ground. I watched him for a good five minutes as he would jog, stoop, and then jog back to one corner of the parking lot. At first, I thought he was doing some sort of odd cross-fit routine, but as I got closer, I was able to observe what he was doing.
The man was stopping to pick up the trash scattered along the edges of the parking lot.
Now I walk the park almost daily, and sadly, each morning the ground is littered with the debris of thoughtless people, who without care or remorse, cast their trash to the ground rather than put into one of the many trash receptacles around the park. It is a lovely park and the wanton disregard for nature and for the other citizens who enjoy the park, is disheartening.
And yet, here was this man, alone, picking up pieces of trash and putting into a bucket. His actions were not monumental, he wasn’t being paid, he received no accolades or recognition, just a simple man… trying to be a good citizen, trying to keep the park clean for the benefit of others, doing the right thing when no one was watching.
Except someone was watching. As I approached, the man recognized me, smiled, and enthusiastically said good morning. I thanked him for taking the time to pick up the litter. His face became solemn and in broken English, he said the park was very dirty. He then looked up, smiled again, and went about his jogging.
As I watched him go, I thought to myself, how ironic, this man, a recent immigrant to the country, perhaps even undocumented, hailing from somewhere in Latin America, cares enough about his newly adopted land to try and keep this park, this municipal property of the citizenry, clean for all others to enjoy.
That is more than can be said for some of the “citizens” who find it below themselves to pick up after themselves.
There are some who would say that his very presence is a manifestation of all that is flawed with the country today. Perhaps so. It is a complex issue and not everyone who comes to this country is as well intentioned.
I can only say that I observed a small glimpse of his character. I don’t know anything about this man’s background, nor will I be his judge. All I know is that this man’s actions spoke louder than any words on immigration. What I saw was a man, trying to make a life for himself, trying to make his little part of the world better for others, in one of the few places where such an opportunity still exists.
This stranger showed that he cares and wants to be a productive, law abiding and respectful American, which, if you watch the news today, speaks volumes.
We are a nation founded by immigrants. In the Statue of Liberty, inscribed on a bronze plaque rest the words of Emma Lazarus, which capture the very essence of what is the foundation of this country.
“Give me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses yearning to breathe free, the wretched refuse from your teeming shore. Send these, the homeless, tempest-tost to me…”
Today, I met an American…
And more of his kind will always be welcome as long as this country truly remains the Land of the Free.
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