Ray was a long time coworker. A small, slightly built built 60 something he walked with his feet splayed out to the sides and stooped over like he was headed into a stiff wind. Ray drank...a lot. Sometimes he'd get the shakes at lunch and have to go get a beer. He was never sloppy at work and his job performance was fine but he drank...a lot, and you could see it was taking a toll.

If you ever met Ray, you'd likely just say older drunk and never give it another thought. Capable of little you would say. We all make assumptions based on appearances. Appearances sometimes don't reflect the caliber of a man accurately.

Ray's favorite watering hole was the "Kaz Bah" factory bar in a dire area of the west side. A half dozen or so of the plants second shift guys would frequent the place during the week after work also.

One night after work, one of the west sides finer 20 somethings decides to hold up the place with a handgun while all my coworkers were in there drinking, has the gun stuck in the bar keepers face screaming at him.......Out of nowhere here comes Ray. He clobbers the SOB and takes the gun away from him. He then proceeds to chase the hood out the door and half way down the block in a cloud of profanity and threatening to shoot.

When the story broke at work nobody could even imagine Ray attacking a thug 1/3 his age let alone chasing him down the street.

Then one of the older guys explained it all.

Ray was a BAR man at the Chosin Reservoir and a decorated bad ass one at that. Miss you Ray RIP.

RIP Ray.

Being at the Chosin Reservoir says it all.

That’s a nice tribute to a good man.

Thank you for this. Thanks for sharing.

Ray was the real deal and boozing was probably his elixir of choice for what may have been un-recognized PTSD.

quote:

Originally posted by Rey HRH:
Being at the Chosin Reservoir says it all.

Yep, and being a BAR man to boot.

Jim

RIP Ray.