A local homeless man's story
By Sara Brubaker, News Writing Student
“I had dreams once too,” said the man that stands on the SW corner at the intersection of South May Avenue and the 1-240 exit ramp just North of the OCCC campus.
“I sometimes wish I had stayed in school. You should. It’s too hard to go back once you’ve been out. Stay in and get yourself a future,” said the man who claims his only name is Lenny.
“A last name means you’ve got family. I don’t have any family,” Lenny said in a thick southern drawl.
Carrying one old large duffel bag and a cardboard sign Lenny stands on the corner a few days a week.
“Vet, hungry, will work, anything helps, God bless,” are the words written in black marker on the piece of cardboard.
Lenny’s shaggy hair is dirty. It’s hard to tell what color it is underneath all the grime.
A gray beard covers Lenny’s weathered tan face.
His clothes are old and worn with holes.
Even though it was 100 degrees, he was wearing a forest green jacket. It’s looks older than he does.
“People give me less money in the summer. Maybe they feel sorry for me standing out in the cold in the winter. But it’s way worse standing in the sun all day. That’s why I stand on this corner. Most of the time it’s in the shade,” Lenny said.
Lenny talked about school after he realized there is a community college down the road.
“I was in school once too. Only for a year before I left but it was one of the best years of my life,” Lenny said.
After Lenny’s best friend was drafted in 1969, he said he dropped out of classes at the University he was attending and enlisted.
“I wasn’t about to let Jojo go through that alone. It wasn’t fair. I know he’d done the same for me,” Lenny said. His eyes began to water.
“I don’t regret sticking by Jojo, just never going back to school but after seeing all those things over there that was the last thing on my mind when I returned,” Lenny said.
After returning from Vietnam Lenny said he found it difficult to deal with people including his family.
Shortly after his return Lenny said he became estranged from his family.
“They just didn’t understand,” Lenny said. His eyes began to water again.
Lenny said he began using drugs and alcohol when he joined the Army and his habits continued when he returned to the U.S.
After having no success in finding a steady job, Lenny decided to travel.
“I hitchhiked all the way to California and believe me that was a long way then. Everything went by slower back than. People move to fast now,” said Lenny.
Stopping in as many states as he could Lenny found work where he could.
“I worked in avocado groves in California and strawberry fields in Texas. I was a cowboy in Wyoming and a law clerk ru nner back in the eighties New York City,” Lenny said.
“I don’t make much money. Just enough to get food and drink for the day. I save a little to travel too. I average around $50 a day. But sometimes someone is feeling really nice and slips me a big one,” Lenny said.
Lenny, at first, had refused to speak until he was handed $10.
“Back then people trusted me and didn’t mind the way I looked as long as I did a good job. Now no one offers me work, just their spare change.”
“I stand here almost everyday and if it’s not this corner it’s another one. Begging the very people I fought for forty years ago,” Lenny said.
Panhandling is illegal in Oklahoma City if the person is not with a registered non-profit organization said Oklahoma City Police Officer Shaun Newman.
“The department does not have the time or resources to deal with it. And generally I only arrest people when a complaint has been filed or they are obstructing traffic.” Newman said.
Lenny said he sleeps somewhere different every night, not liking to get too comfortable.
“I’ve been living this way for too long to think about much else,” Lenny said when asked about going back to school.
“I figure I already learned everything that I would’ve at school. It might’ve taken me a whole lot longer but still it’d be too different to go back now,” Lenny said.
Lenny said one of his favorite things to do is watch all the people that pass by him.
“You see all sorts of people on this corner. Businessmen and woman, teenagers, moms and dads. I never get bored watching people in their cars,” Lenny said.
““I know some of ‘em driving by were students. I could tell. They look real young and don’t bother to give me much money but I bet they're broke too,” Lenny said.
OCCC students have a variety of opinions about Lenny and the others seen panhandling on the corners near campus.
“I’ve seen lots of different men standing out there. I never give them money. I’m working hard and they choose not to be a functioning member of society,” Megan Fairhart, Business Administration major said.
“As far as I’m concerned they’re living the life. I always give them my change. Besides if you’ve got nothing then you’ve got nothing to lose,” Nick Jones, OCCC student said.
Lenny spoke about wanting to leave Oklahoma City saying he’d been here for five months.
Lenny said he was getting bored with the area and the locals.
“Sure it’s nice and the people are too but it’s getting hot,” Lenny said.
“Who knows where I’ll end up next? The coast would be nice and cool. Maybe up North. Take care young lady. I’m hot. I’m leaving” Lenny said as he turned and walked away.
