Memorial Day as Remembered by an Eight-Year-Old Boy

By Shiloh

It was May 1965 on the weekend before Memorial Day when a very young boy was at the Pennsylvania Train Station in Baltimore. He was preparing to travel south to South Carolina with his Mom to see his extended family in both North and South Carolina. His Mom had taken him out of school so he could see the family and be home for “Memorial”, as his Mom referred to the day.

To those down South it was a time to honor family that had died not just in war but the deaths of their family. The family would go to the local cemetery and clean up the graves, weed and clean the stones. After saying a prayer, the entire family would go back to one of the sister’s home and have a large picnic where everyone brought something.

While standing on the train platform with his Mom and Dad, he got a case of the wanderings. Eight-year-old boys do not stand still long especially when they are at the train station on the platform where he can see the train engines come and go. So, he wandered off. What happened next changed his life forever.

As the young boy walked down the platform, after getting instructions from his Mom not to get on the tracks, then he noticed a railroad baggage cart. The cart was sitting by itself with no one or any other carts around it. Instead of baggage there was a coffin on it. Draped over the coffin was an American Flag. He had never seen this before and he stood there for some time taking it in. He walked up to the coffin and reached up and touched the American Flag. Still trying to understand why this coffin was covered in an American Flag puzzled him. About that time his Dad walked up behind him and placing his hand on his son’s shoulder he asked his son what he was thinking. The young lad looked at his Dad and asked why an American Flag on this coffin. A few moments past and his Dad said to him. Inside that coffin is the body of an American Solider. The flag draped over the coffin let’s all of us know that and it is to be respected.

His Dad then reminded him that the Vietnam War was still going on. That this solider may have died in that war and was on his way to be buried. The boy asked where will that be? His Dad said, “He is going home.”

The boy then looked up at his Dad who was trying to hold back the tears and told his Dad he understood, and he would remember this.

To this day I remember that evening on the train platform of the Pennsylvania Station. I have never forgotten my Dad’s lesson either.

This Memorial Day please think of those that gave their full measure for us. And if you happen to see a casket covered in an American Flag know that this Service man or woman is going home.