I need to pay more attention ...

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... this one's been linked a bit:

Everybody knows a Walt Kowalski.  He is the grizzled Korean War veteran Clint Eastwood played in the movie Gran Torino.  A man who spends his days sitting on the porch, keeping his house and yard immaculate, satisfied to drink his cheap beer while watching his neighborhood and country go to hell around him.  He is an anachronism, a dinosaur -- part of the old America where you worked hard, took pride in your work and where you lived, and fought for your country and what it stood for when called upon.  Armed with his M1 Garand rifle and 1911 .45 pistol he brought back from the war, he put new meaning in "Get off my lawn."

Mike V presents a similar character in his (hopefully) soon to be finished novel Absolved. Even beyond the 'terminal' problem, the older veterans have a particular distate for those who demand respect rather than command respect.

The difference is subtle, yet distinct.

pm