Denvercopy
Standing on the corner of Lawrence and Parkway in downtown Denver I met Mr. Troy who was very polite. As I tried to approach, he would take a step back, so I respected his space. Troy is from Louisiana; however, he says Denver is where his parents raised him. Troy mentioned that he was one of the first African American kids to go to Mount Bello a military school that taught them ROTC. Troy went to basic training at FT Jackson South Carolina where he says that he was a 76 yankee which is Unit Supply. His first duty station was Ft Lee VA, then was sent to Ft Riley KS, he said, “The Big Red One”. His service times were 1981-1987.Troy told me that he had been living on the streets for about 6 years and during the winter months is when he said it gets the hardest because of the weather. He said the local organizations allow most homeless to come inside to the various sleeping locations which he is grateful for.
However, he said not everyone is appreciative for these accommodations because many of the men who come in are drunk to the point they don’t know where they are. Troy said that we are so close while sleeping that we look like sardines. He then said last night an intoxicated man wasn’t sure where he was, so he began to urinate where he stood. Troy said he just happen to be in the man’s way, so his clothes were soiled. Troy told me that’s why I keep backing up, so my smell doesn’t affect you. I asked did he have another set of clothes to change into and he told me that this was his only set