Frank, who are you?
Last night both my wife and I worked late. It was around 8pm est when we both left work. So she called me and asked if I wanted to just stop and eat some where? I said sure where do you want to stop? She replied what about waffle house, I said well if that's your best choice then I guess we can stop there.
So we get there around 830pm and we go inside and take a seat. First thing that I noticed is there was only one other customer inside waffle house. I glanced of at the gentleman setting in the corner he was unshaven and look like he hadn't had a shower in a few days, but there was something that look familiar about him. She we place our orders and our food eventually comes. I am still noticing that this gentleman has not eaten yet. So I discreetly ask our waitress about him. She said all I know is his name is Frank and he is here every night for a few hours. I said does he ever eat? She said no he only drinks coffee.
At this point I hear Frank say "mam can I get some more coffee"? As soon as I heard his voice the light bulb went off in mine and my wife's head. We new who Frank was. Now we did not know him personally, sure wish I did.
I will tell you what I know about Frank. When my wife and I where younger I can remember going to the grocery store with our chuldren. Frank seemed to be alot of place that we where at but anyways. Everytime I saw Frank he was talking to children and teenagers about school. Telling them that if they did good they could go to college for free. I mean I see this man alot and Everytime I saw him he was talking. So one day I decided to listen a little closer, I wanted to hear how you could go to college for free. Come to find out he had retired from the USMC. he had made it is life goal to speak to every child he came in contact with about joining the military and having them pay for your college.
Now I have to say that my wife was a little set back at the time, I mean our kids where 2, 6 and 10 years old. The last thing she wanted to think about was her babies going to the military. Anyways as the years went on it seemed like Frank never gave up on his goal. We would still see him around town doing the same thing talking to every child and teenager he came in contact with...
Well fast forward to June 12th 2017. Frank seems to be tired and talked out. He visits the waffle house every night for coffee. He spends on average 2-4 hours a night there.
Now I do not know this gentleman personally. But what I do know is if he wants to eat he deserves to eat. The goal he set had no personal or financial gain for him. I do not know if he is broke or rich and really that would not have changed my decision.
I called the manager over to our booth and told her that I wanted to buy a $200 gift card. She said the waitress can handle that for you. I told her, I wanted her to handle it because it was for Frank. I told her that every night Frank comes in fix him something to eat if he looks hungry and use the 200 gift card to pay for it.
Frank if you are out there I want you to know that what you did for the children of our community, did not go unnoticed. Thank you and GOD BLESS YOU.
Before you judge ask some questions.
And most of all help in anyway you can, if you see someone that might need help.