Late last year, I met the old man. Did not know who he was, and was not sure he was quite sane at first, but when given a little respect he was quite entertaining. He told us about the end of WW2 and how he built his fortune.
One thing I will never forget is when he said, "I am a millionaire, believe it? I have thousands of dollars in every pocket." We hikers looked at each other; then he did "the demo." He alternately took a wad folded cash bills, each bigger than a fist, from every pocket in the clothes he was wearing. He did so in such a quick and graceful manner we knew he must have have given the demonstration before. We did not ask to see his gun. Yep, he was getting on up there. There are not too many WW2 vets left.
It is a shame the AT has lost one of its characters.
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Side note: I love you Shaw's, but please do not refer NOBO hikers to WHL... The dude that runs the place is a maniac, and really hates hikers. He's the Soup Nazi of Maine.