Lizzie R. Johnson

At a highway gas station at night, a young man mocks a 70-year-old female veteran and shoves between her and the pump. Seconds later, he’s on the wet concrete. Under the neon lights, she says: age teaches what arrogance never will.

In a small-town supermarket at night, a rude shopper slams his cart into a 67-year-old female veteran and mocks her. Seconds later, he’s on the tile floor. The aisle goes silent as she says: respect isn’t optional.

In a crowded supermarket checkout line, a rude man rams his cart into a 68-year-old female veteran and knocks her groceries down. Seconds later, he’s on the tile floor. The line goes silent as she says: I served so people like you could stand in line.

In a dim shopping center parking lot, a drunk man grabs a bag from a 70-year-old female veteran and mocks her. Seconds later, he’s on the concrete. Under the yellow lights, she says calmly: wrong person tonight.