It was the spring of 1955 and Sean was a happy four year old. He was with his Grandfather, his Papa. Sean loved to walk with his Papa and today was even more special. It was Memorial Day and Papa was taking him to the parade. All the men from the neighborhood were marching in uniforms. Sean loved the colors and the music. He marched along with his Papa right in with the men. Everybody came over to shake Papa’s hand. Papa even had a star he wore like a sheriff and Papa’s star was gold. Sean thought that must mean my Papa is even more important than the Sheriffs on TV.
At the statue in the park the parade stopped and some guys talked for a long time. Sean didn’t really like that part. One of the men said that the parade was because of the war. Sean didn’t know what the war was but it must be pretty good if they have parades. Then they played some music Papa said was it was Taps but Sean only heard a horn he didn’t hear any Taps. When the men came out with guns and shot into the air Sean thought it was really loud. Then they stopped shooting and all the kids ran to get the spent casings from the rifles. Sean picked one up but dropped it because it was too hot. An older kid grabbed it and ran away.
As they left the park heading for the VFW the band played “When Johnny Comes marching Home.” Sean liked that one. When he looked up at Papa to tell him he saw tears. Papa was crying.
“Papa why are you crying?”
Sean thought, Papa never cries. He’s a big guy.
Papa looked down and said, “My Johnny didn’t come marching home.”
Sean didn’t know what Papa meant but he decided war must be bad. Anything that could make his Papa cry was bad.
In the years to come Sean would learn that his uncle Sgt. John Peterson, Papa’s son was killed in the Battle of the Bulge. Uncle Johnny died on his mother’s birthday, Christmas Day 1944.