The "Safety Patrol" Story

It was an ordinary day. I left my house on Queen St. to get to my Patrol post on time. I was in 5th grade and a Safety Patrolman. Pretty important job for someone ten years old. My post was at a fairly busy intersection near the Lancaster Train Station. McGovern Ave. and North Duke St. I had my white patrol belt around my waist and up across my chest and over my shoulder. My silver badge shone in the bright sun. Here comes the kids. They have to wait at the intersection until I tell them it is safe to cross. I must hold my arms out to remind them that I am in charge. There are no 6th graders in my neighborhood, so I am the boss of the rest of the kids. Back then parents just sent their kids off to school and didn't worry about someone taking them. After the last kid in the neighborhood passed my post, I followed. Up the hill to the Rt. 501 bridge. A 6th grader from another neighborhood was responsible for crossing us here since this is a much busier intersection. Made sense to me. We traveled north on Rt. 501 and had another crossing at Keller Ave. From here it was clear sailing the rest of the way to good old Brecht Elementary School. We traveled about a mile to school every day and then home again. In all kinds of weather. Across driveways, over bridges and past busy intersections. I'm sure you heard all the stories about how far and how hard it was for your parents to go to school. Well, this is the honest to goodness truth in my case. No school bus for me. It wasn't dangerous enough back then to justify a school bus even though Rt. 501 was the major north-south corridor in and out of Lancaster. Made sense to me. Those were the good old times. I can remember one time it was so cold and I had forgotten my gloves and that I had no feeling in my hands by the time I got to school. The teacher held my hands under COLD water until they warmed up. Yep, I can remember, as I cried, that she said always use cold water on frozen body parts so they warm slowly. Makes sense to me. Well, it's getting close to the end of the year and time for promotions in the Safety Patrol. Rumor was that the kids that were responsible enough to cross others at intersections would get the best promotions instead of the Patrolmen who rode buses. Made sense to me. My friend Jerry H. who crossed kids over the bridge on Rt. 72 was hoping for a promotion also. The entire student body, grades 1 thru 6 filed into the gymnasium for the promotion ceremony. In 1955 there was no kindergarten in public schools. They started with the new members from the 4th grade class who would become 1st year Patrolmen and presented them with their badges. 2nd level badges were handed out next. No promotion yet for me. Only two levels left. I'm getting nervous. The Principal, Dr. Bucher announced, "The two Lieutenants for next year will be Rick M. and LDub." Yeah! I made it. At least this high, but not to the top. The Captain was announced. It was my friend Dave K. who was very popular, allegedly smart, tall and good looking. Made sense to me! It was another extraordinary day in the life of an ordinary guy.