Our friend Frank, a homeless VET

Our beloved, Francis Marquez. Frank has been living on  a very thin metal bench at the Carthy circle park (McCarthy Vista & Crescent Heights) for seven years now.  I'm sure  there  are some of you who know Frank personally or in passing by in your cars. He'd stand at the intersection & help direct traffic or just simply smile and wave hello cause this is what he enjoyed doing. He never begged for money but was appreciative of those who were kind enough to give.  On holidays, he was alone but still standing proud and wishing everyone a nice holiday. I never stopped to have a long conversation with Frank but  there was something always very charming and genuine about him.  Seeing him smile every morning on my way to work  always seemed to brighten my day. Frank kept me grounded and humble.   Over the past few months, I noticed that Frank was no longer standing at the intersection. As days and weeks went by, I missed his friendly morning wave and his contagious smile.  I know that he suffers from PTSD (Post traumatic stress disorder) like most VETS so I assumed that he was mentally resting. On July 4th, on my way to a friends house, I saw Frank sitting there on the bench noticeably swollen, hot, possibly sick and surrounded by trash that had obviously accumulated over the past few weeks or possibly for months.   The thought of driving away and leaving him on the bench  while I go to enjoy the  July 4th  holiday  did not  sit well with my heart so I parked my car, walked over, said hello and thanked him for his services during the Vietnam war. I could tell that he was happy to have a visitor. As I stood there, his body was surrounded by flies. I asked him how he was doing and he told me  that he was very sick but was unsure  of his sickness considering he hasn't seen a doctor or visited a hospital in 61 years. Frank was told by someone that he could potentially be diabetic due to his condition and symptoms  but being that he hasn't seen a doctor, this has NOT yet been diagnosed.  Frank got so sick that he could no longer stand or walk so he stayed planted on that bench morning, noon and night and in severe pain. Many of his dear neighbors stopped by with food, blankets, drinks and conversation which was always the highlight of his day.  On this day, I got to know Frank better and I could tell that he was starting to gain my trust and open up to me.  I realized that despite what people think of the homeless, Frank is human JUST like all of us and people don't just wake up homeless .There is always a reason why.  Frank's illness has caused him to get  weak and I could tell he was giving up. Seeing him him in this condition broke my heart, brought tears to my eyes and I was NOT going to let him get worse nor give up on life especially since he is loved by so many people in and around our neighborhood.  He was stuck on that bench with nowhere to go, did his business in a trash bag under the bench or on the dirt below him which he covered with blankets. I asked him If I could help get him to the hospital but apparently he had another concerned neighbor picking  him up in the morning at 8am. I came back a few hours later that day with fresh new clothes, wet wipes and some dinner which I knew he appreciated. On my way to work the following morning around 10:30 am, I saw Frank sitting up on the bench. I was really hoping that I'd see an empty bench but this wasn't the case. While at work, prayed that his friend was going to stop by at some point during the day and bring him into the hospital.  Later that night, I drove by on my way home from work and saw Frank curled up sleeping so I let him be.  The following day, July 6th, Frank was there sitting on the bench in high temps chatting with another lovely neighbor friend, David whose been bringing Frank cold drinks and food daily. I brought along  a cooler filled with ice, water, fruit salad, snacks, a clean sheet, ice packs to keep him cool and a pillow which he was beyond appreciative for.  As  the three of us were chatting, I noticed his foot which was uncovered had an open flesh wound on the top part with flies all over it (little graphic, my apologies) so I wrapped part of the clean sheet around it to prevent  bugs from attacking it. Additionally, I  noticed heat blisters all over his body from the sun which were leaking through his sweatpants and it was at this very moment, I knew that I had to do something. I looked him in the eyes and told him that everything is going to be ok. David and I exchanged numbers and started researching some transportation services .  The following day, July 7th,  which was an unbearably hot, high temp day, I stopped by the park to drop off  a couple gallons of water, a clean towel and a ziplock bag filled with water, soap and a washcloth so that Frank could give himself a sponge bath. He was beyond excited to clean himself up and put on fresh new clothes. Later that day,  I received a text from David telling me that Frank was picked up by the EMS at 4pm and was heading East towards Olympia hospital. Hearing this wonderful news brought absolute JOY to my heart.  later that night after work, I drove straight to Olympia hospital and was able to reconnect with Frank.  I spoke to his nurse and due to the severity of the infection on his foot and his swollen body, he was admitted to the 2nd floor and for someone that hasn't been to a doctor/hospital in 61 years, I was very happy gal!  Franks update: He's been diagnosed with cellulitis (staph infection) throughout his body and he is in alot of pain because of it.  His heart is not in good condition and  additionally, might need to have surgery on his foot due to the severity of the infection that is very close to the bone. They've  taken more tests and will keep me posted as his results come in.   Frank receives a disability check once a month which gets direct deposited into his savings account. He is willing to  spend $700 monthly so that he can get off the street. In the meantime, when Frank is released from the hospital, he needs to be in a clean and safe environment while he is healing so I'm hoping that we can come together and raise some money so that we can place him in a motel until we can help him figure out a permanent housing solution.  The additional money earned will go directly towards all of Franks needs and/or to others in need.  We as humans should NOT turn our backs on the homeless and mentally ill. Everyone has a story and Frank, the sweet human that he is, needs our help and if a few of us can come together, we can make a difference.  I want to thank those who have reached out through the NEXT DOOR app. Your outpouring love and support is sincerely appreciated.  Don't Thank me, I am just God's messenger!    Your friend, Mary Flaven  xoxo