Trash Me

Scott, my friend and Marine Corps Lance Corporal, was in town for the weekend. Throughout his stay I picked up on a peculiar habit: after finishing each cigarette, he scraped the ash off with the bottom of his shoe and stashed the cigarette butt in his pocket. A few minutes later when passing a trash can, he emptied his pocket and tossed the butts.

While I do not condone his smoking, I do condone his consideration. He said he doesn’t like to litter or see others be disrespectful with their laziness; he didn’t risk his life for nine months to come home to a mess, certainly not a mess he’ll contribute to. It’s a small effort, but an effort nonetheless, especially for a man who has been part of a larger, more dangerous one overseas.