Tram Bar
Ellington, Missouri really is tiny. One Pizza shop, one gas station, one motel, two car washes and one bar. Well that would be the Tram Bar. My foot had been hurting somewhat significantly. It was the hammer toes on the right mostly. Frustrated, and warm as the temperature again neared 80 degrees, I was able to end the day early and thirsty. Well sir, 
I stumbled upon a run down shack called the Tram Bar. Cigarette smoke swirled in every corner of the dimly lit ols wood frame building. The only light came form a few soot clogged windows. Then an older gent said, “You can buy me a beer”. And so I did. I go to know Jim the life long lead miner. “They mine lead, silver, cadmium and sometimes gold all through these parts, way under ground”, he related. “Been out of the Navy for 46 years”. It was then I knew my new found friend was a Vietnam Veteran. We hugged. “Welcome home hero”, I shouted, proudly.