Mike Prosser retired from the Marine Corps in 1995 after serving 20 years.
Today, the former master sergeant can be seen nearly every day of the year volunteering in northern Virginia community driving around in his pickup truck, helping disabled veterans get around to their appointments, donating aluminum cans to charities, and picking up stray dogs and cats and delivering them to animal shelters.
On a recent fall day, Prosser said a Navy veteran and a Marine Corps vet — ages 96 and 97 — shared their World War II experiences as he drove them around to appointments. He said they had some interesting war stories about serving in China.
Why does Prosser do it?
"I love all people and animals," he said.
Prosser, whose partner died three years ago, said he regularly talks to those who are depressed or even suicidal — especially around the holiday season — in an effort to boost their morale.
"It's hard to talk to someone who is down and out and find the right words to say to comfort them. But I try to remind them how much they have to be thankful for," he said.
"I just hope that they know someone cares about them," he said. "I do."