Kahn ~ wounded soldier He sat in the shade with his possessions and his young dog by his side on an unusually mild early spring day. I crouched down and asked him of his dog - "Moonshine" he said. I asked him his name. "Kahn he said, like Genghis Kahn. My nickname in the service" He told me he'd still be in if he hadn't been shot as he raised his shorts a bit to show his scar. "Why would you want to go back I asked?" ~ Because they gave him a job, a home, clothing, food and paid the child support of his four children. 13 years he served - Bosnia, Afghanistan, Somalia, Iraq - the list went on. He was proud to have served, now he wasn't sure where'd he go....

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Ralph ~ fellow photog out for something interesting to catch.

Russel - lest you have fear

He aimlessly walked the streets.
He had no destination, had no clock to follow.
As he glided between the crowds unnoticed, no one met his eyes.
Is it fear of "catching" what he has?
Did they avoid him out of shame that they wouldn't help him?
He quietly took a seat off to the side, holding his cup with the slightest shake so as not to scare the tourists away, in hopes a stranger...yes us...will take some kindness upon him.

Hasselblad 500 cm
100mm lens

George King lll

Even his name is regal. George immediately caught my eye, sitting in the shade outside the Old State House in Hartford. Even without the uniform he had presence. Perfect posture, the seemingly stern face and sharp captivating eyes. There was an event going on so I introduced myself and asked him if the old ambulance was his. His pride was evident when describing the restoration of this 1916 Model T Ford up from an original chassi to reconstruct, with historic detail, an ambulance used in WWI; it is the only one of its kind in the US. I asked him his name and if it would be alright to photograph him. He promptly moved to rise from his chair to be next to his pride and joy - I stopped him a moment and captured a portrait there, then proceeded to follow him. Even though I loved the first portrait, this one I think really captured his essence. Thank you for being so gracious and accommodating George!

Hasselblad 500 c/m
100mm
Shutter 1/250
Ap: f16
ISO: 400

Steve, aka "Meatball"

We pretty much great each other at the same time as I approached him, squatting and leaning against a tree in the evening sun, using a staff for support. "I'm always here, I arrive early to get a good spot". Injured in boot camp 20 years ago and given an honorable discharge for medical reasons, he struggles to survive. "$857 a month, that's what I get". He supplements his income by begging on the streets and still can't afford his meds. He isn't allowed to stay at the Soldiers Inn if he begs, it isn't allowed. He has trouble finding a shelter to stay in because you need to be sober; he's an alcoholic, it helps him deal with the pain of his degenerative arthritis. "What is your name I asked" ~ "Steve, but everyone calls me Meatball - I make the best meatballs you'll ever have" he says with pride. A woman walks by and he asks her for a cigarette, to me she says "I've known him for years, sweetest guy you'll ever know". Someone else (Bo Gai) stops and puts earplugs in his jar to drown out the noise so he can sleep - all have kind words for and of him. I listen to his story and it saddens me that all I can do is put a few dollars in his jar and wish him well and luck....

My 21st Stranger ~ Bo Gai ...or otherwise known as James. 4-18-12

"Kindness comes in all forms" I heard a voice from behind me say. I stood from where I was crouched from speaking with Meatball (yes, that's a name and a story for another day) and turned to see him opening a package. "Ear plugs" he said as he added a couple in Meatball's jar, "You never know where he'll need to drown out the noise when sleeping on the street". James, otherwise know as Bo Gai - and countless other names - an incredible, gentle, man with a very kind heart, knew this man and the daily trials he lived with and found the small things that could ease his suffering. He traveled the east and studied the different cultures; he had a Muslim name, a Budhist name, and more names that I could possibly keep asking how to spell, but it was apparent he took the time to see life a bit differently than most...

Kahn ~ wounded soldier

He sat in the shade with his possessions and his young dog by his side on an unusually mild early spring day. I crouched down and asked him of his dog - "Moonshine" he said. I asked him his name. "Kahn he said, like Genghis Kahn. My nickname in the service" He told me he'd still be in if he hadn't been shot as he raised his shorts a bit to show his scar. "Why would you want to go back I asked?" ~ Because they gave him a job, a home, clothing, food and paid the child support of his four children. 13 years he served - Bosnia, Afghanistan, Somalia, Iraq - the list went on. He was proud to have served, now he wasn't sure where'd he go....