Serving Those That Served

One day we got a call from a young man that was the son of a retired soldier.  The son explained that the father was disabled and had a very difficult time getting out of the house so he wanted to know if we could send someone to his home to notarize some documents for his Dad.  I was pretty sure we weren't able to do that but I told him I'd ask. 

As I suspected, my OIC said no and that the man would have to come into our office.  A day or two later the son came in and reminded me of who he was, "I'm the one that called about my Dad . .  ."  He explained his Dad was in the car but it was quite difficult for him to get in and out of the car and could I please come out to the parking lot to notarize documents for him.

I wasn't sure for two reasons.  First of all, though this man seemed to be genuine and nice, I wasn't sure if he was telling the truth.  What if he was just trying to get someone over to his house or out to his car?   Secondly, I felt I should get my OIC's permission before I went out so I told the man I'd ask.  I asked the Captain and he again said no.  When I came back out and told the son I was not able to do it, I could tell he was very disappointed and then he asked if he brought the signed documents in would I just go ahead and notarized them.  I explained to him I could not do that --the person had to personally appear before me, "Okay then, I"ll just bring Dad in."

It was quite a while later when the son and Dad came into our office.  I had long forgotten about the son and thought he really was lying or just figured it wasn't worth the trouble --what I didn't figure on was it took so long because it was just that difficult for this man to get around.

The father was in a wheel chair and had a multitude of problems.  He was very frail and thin looking, on oxygen, braces on his legs, something on his head to keep it up.  Despite his physical ailments, he was still very sharp minded and knew what was going on.  When I saw this man, I felt bad that I just didn't go out to the car like he requested.  The documents they brought in were all in regards to the man's care; things that were medically necessary and POA's giving his son authority to make medical decisions, conduct his personal finance, etc.  I needed to be certain this man understood what he was doing.  Call me cynical but there are children out there that abuse their parents and take advantage of them.  Before I let this man sign anything, I had to be certain he knew what he was doing.  The man looked like he really should have been in a home but the son told me he just could not do it --he was going to take care of his Dad as long as he could.

I knelt down to talk to the gentleman face-to-face.  I asked his name, I asked his son's name and then asked if the man with him was that son.  I chatted with him a little bit about his time in service, etc. and what seemed like me just making small talk, I was really trying to determine if this man had presence of mind and knew what was going on.  I then briefly explained the documents and asked if he understood what he was signing and if that was his desire, he indicated yes.  When I was confident the man had clarity of mind and was not signing under any duress, I notarized the documents for him.  The two men then went on their way.

A little while later I was leaving for lunch and I saw the two of them in front of the building.  The son was still getting the father strapped into the car --it was quite a procedure; I could see why the son was hoping to get someone out to the car.  I stood there for a short while watching --the son handled his Dad so tenderly, it was touching.  The Dad just completely resigned himself to his son and the son handled that trust with such great honor --it showed in their faces and in the manner they reacted toward one another.

As I was walking by them the son saw me and said, "Oh Hi, Sergeant."  I went up to him and said, "I can't come out to your home but if you ever need anything from our office again, just call ahead and I'll meet you outside.  There's no need for you and your Dad to have to go through all of this just to get some service."  The son thanked me --and he also took me up on the offer.  Two more times they came in.  The son would park in front of the building and come in.  I didn't make him sign in or wait --I just took a clip board with me with my seal and went out to the car.  I never asked permission from my OIC nor did I care what he would say --we were in the business of serving soldiers, the same soldiers that so honorably served us.  Walking out to his car was just the least of what I could do for him.