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About to depart from my evening in Union Square, I spotted him approaching several groups of people wheeling his travel suitcase and carrying a large plastic bag over his shoulder. As each group shunned him, I decided to plant myself "downstream" to his path and see if he would approach me.
"Excuse me sir, my name is Larry Daryl Jones. May I talk to you for a moment?" Upon my approval, Larry began to tell me his story of military and prison service. Larry, originally from Richmond, VA, was in the US Army and served in both Desert Storm and Desert Shield, achieving the rank of corporal. After discharge he worked as a warehouseman. Larry talked about being in the Tenderloin and the target of an attempted robbery. With his military training as a martial arts specialist, he decided to teach his assailant a lesson and was subsequently charged and convicted of attempted murder. Larry served 8 years in prison and has been in San Francisco now for 2 years since his release. He then asked me if I could spare some money for something to eat. I told him about the $2 Portrait project and his face lit up. He immediately stepped in front of me and went into his military salute pose.
I took a few shots and we talked a bit longer. Larry was respectful and articulate. His demeanor and etiquette were totally disarming. Had I been in a more regular $2 Portrait mode, I probably could have talked with him for an hour. As it was, I was tongue-tied, not asking my usual questions about age, living arrangements and family. I gave him a few dollars, we shook hands, and I wished him good luck as he picked up his belongings and continued down Geary. In retrospect, it was a missed opportunity as I would have really liked to learn more about him.
Taken 12/11/12
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