Vietnam veteran Chris Goodrow lives under a bridge in Bowling Green, just south of campus, with several others that call themselves “bridge people.”

“This is real. I’m not famous, or the president or anyone too interesting, but this is real life and I won’t put a mask on for you,” Goodrow said.

He said he now suffers from short-term memory loss due to the shrapnel wounds in his head from throwing grenades in enemy bunkers.

“They told me I’m going to forget things all the time,” Goodrow said. The doctors told him he could have the shrapnel removed, but at the cost of mobility.

“I told them I’d rather be dead,” he said.

“I got here because I’ve got too big a heart,” Goodrow said. “I got back and it was rough and tough being a veteran. I couldn’t forget what happened over there.”

Goodrow said he tried to find a job once he got back into the United States, but was continually turned down because of his short-term memory loss. He has lived in Kentucky since he got back from the war, and has been homeless since his return.

Goodrow attributes his homelessness to his use of drugs and alcohol.

Ask him about his future plans and he’ll tell you he lives life day by day. He just enjoys nature and all the things God puts in front of him.

Goodrow said he’s ready to “see the joy waiting for me in heaven.”

“A Thousand Words” is a weekly photo essay that tells untold stories on the edges of campus.