Yep! You did the right thing - I’ve done the same when I’ve been uncomfortable coming out of a store. Actually, I think I was approached walking INTO the store and let them know what was going on outside while I was there.
I’ve gotten the “Hey, sir, can ya help a vet down on his luck?” line a number of times when in uniform. I’ve wanted to ask what service, what unit, where were they stationed, why’d they get out, why weren’t they looking for work - but I haven’t yet. Input: would it help? Would it instill a little forgotten pride in them? Or would I just be “another assh**e Colonel”?
Colonel, USAFR