CC's been sitting outside of WalMart in Forsyth, going on his third day. He and other Marine Corps League friends are collecting toys and money for the the Annual Toys for Tots program. All the toys and money being given at this location are distributed within this county.

These veterans, stoically standing (or in CC's instance, sitting) are touchstones for shoppers passing through the doors. Typical America, with all its vainglorious and loud living, rarely gives people the opportunity to tell how their lives have been touched by themselves or loved ones serving in the US Armed Services.

These sentinel veterans are like wishing wells, with contributors throwing toys, dollars and stories as prayers and wishes for those who serve and children with needs. 

As CC left for his last day, he told me these three stories.

"A young man stopped when he saw my purple heart and thanked me for my service. He'd served three tours in Iraq. He was young, in his twenties, but his eyes were old."

"Another lady stopped and told me she had two brothers and a cousin who had gone to Vietnam. Now, she has a grandson in Iraq. She thanked me for my service."

One lady showed me a picture of her grandson who has had cancer. Last year, he got some of these toys we collected and it had made his Christmas. Now he is doing better."