“Monitoring sea turtle nests should not be a life-threatening experience.”

These words of wisdom come from Stan Pannaman, a 72 year-old Marine and Vietnam War veteran. Five decades after he was wounded in combat, Pannaman had another close call while volunteering to protect sea turtle nests and guide disoriented hatchlings to the ocean.

Despite walking out of death’s grasp a second time–this time with a cane–Pannaman’s humor and passion remains intact.

“It was bizarre, for lack of another word,” Pannaman said of the incident Sunday. “After he shot me, the guy looked like he was in shock. He looked very, very surprised. He actually headed toward me and said, ‘How are you? Are you OK?’ Sir, you shot me. How could I be OK?”

Pannaman was standing guard at a turtle nest on Lauderdale-by-the-Sea beach as a Sea Turtle Oversight Protection volunteer. For protection, Pannaman was carrying a .32 caliber Kel-Tec pistol.

Michael Q. McAuliffe, a 38 year-old local with a criminal history, began to shout that he hated turtles, hurl obscenities at the veteran and attack the yellow tape surrounding the nest. Pannaman drew his handgun in the hopes of diffusing the situation, but McAuliffe tackled the disabled veteran to the ground, gouged his head, and snatched the gun away.

“I’m going to shoot you with your flare gun,” McAuliffe said.

“Sir, it’s not a flare gun. It’s a real gun,” Pannaman replied. The veteran rolled out of the way as McAuliffe fired, and the bullet struck his left hip.

McAuliffe’s hatred of sea turtles and inability to distinguish a flare gun from a real gun earned him jail time for two charges of aggravated battery with a deadly weapon, possession of a weapon by a convicted felon and battery on a person 65 or older.

Meanwhile, Pannaman will sit tight until the bullet is removed from his left buttock. Once its gone and he recovers, the veteran will return to his post.

Update: McCauliffe confirmed drunk during the altercation. None are surprised.