The "Pistol Packin' Railroad Man" Story
It was an ordinary day. I was talking to my friend Jerry. Just checkin in to see what he did during the week. I usually call him every Sunday. I sometimes forget, but that's what happens when you get older. Jerry and I go way back. WAY BACK! I’m sure you probably have a friend who you have known for years. We met over a half century ago. You know how many years that is? We lived about two blocks from each other, but didn’t really meet until we entered elementary school at MJ Brecht Elementary in Manheim Township. My Mom wouldn’t let me cross streets by myself until I went to school. Our first grade teacher was Mrs. Good and we became friends while in her class. We shared most of the same teachers throughout our elemen
tary years. The fact that we lived on opposite sides of busy Rt. 72 prevented us from being closer friends until later in our lives. My Mom wouldn’t let me cross Rt. 72 to visit Jerry, even when I was in elementary school! At times I would see him at the railroad station where his Dad worked. We entered junior high, but never seemed to be in the same classes together. We did had some good neighborhood football games during our junior high years which were played on the lawn on the west side of the railroad station. His neighborhood usually played my neighborhood. Both teams were pretty good and we had quite a few memorable games (check my story “I think he’s dead). We both decided to play football when we entered 9th grade. Jerry was small and I was skinny. Knew we wouldn’t go far. We only got to play in one game that first year and that was during halftime of a varsity game. They were showcasing what was coming they said. Yeah, right. We were crummy. Jerry was #72 and the center and I was #68 and the quarterback for one of the teams that game. If I had only realized that they don't give a prospective quarterback #68, I might have changed positions. Maybe I could have been the manager. We played against our own teammates and both teams wore the same color uniforms. Can you imagine how hard it was to figure out who was on your team. Our game lasted only ten minutes and we had to clear the field for the start of the second half of the varsity game. We did win the game when Jerry led the blocking for a qua
rterback sneak into the endzone for the only touchdown in the 10 minute game! Our 10 minutes of fame!! It was our last year playing organized football. When we were old enough to drive we bought cars. Jerry is a good mechanic and helped me rebuild my ‘53 Henry J in the garage behind his house. I'm not sure his dad knew we were doing that and using his tools. After finishing the rebuild, we took the car out to the unfinished Rt. 30 Bypass and drove around the barriers to take Mr. J. for a trial run. In high school my parents wanted me to take the college prep courses while Jerry took most of the shop courses, therefore we didn’t see much of each other. After high school Jerry entered the Navy while I headed to Millersville State Teacher’s College. Jerry married while in the Navy to Sue, his high school sweetheart (at least one of them). Sue was in our graduating class. After he left the Navy he returned and entered Millersville with the hope of becoming a teacher. Five years after graduation from high school I was teaching at my alma mater, MT. Shortly afterward, Jerry did his student teaching at MT in the room right next to my classroom. For years we worked together teaching until he became head of grounds and maintenance for the school district. In 1999 we both retired from good old MT and planned a retirement trip together. Two weeks in Hawaii with our sweethearts. We had the best time together. Upon return, Jerry and Sue mov
ed from Lancaster to Sue’s old stomping ground of State College. Carol and I found it neat to explore a new part of Pennsylvania with our friends. Every few months we would travel back and forth for visits and once a year we have been traveling to the Caribbean together. Jerry has always enjoyed the railroad since his Dad worked for Railway Express when Jerry was young. Jerry later worked part-time at the Strasburg RR near Lancaster during summers while teaching. He shoveled coal into the steam engine. Fun job?? After moving to State College, Jerry built an HO railroad layout in the lower level of his home. Reconstructed the Lancaster Train Station. REALLY NEAT! Every visit I get to see what’s new on the layout. I also got frequent calls to go over to the train station and tell him what color this was or how many bricks covered that. Hey, we knew how to use cell phones now. Jerry also recently went deer hunting for the first time. Bought himself a gun, but didn’t get a chance to use it yet. Now that’s not for me. Now, today he tells me he’s getting a pistol. Watch out, Sue. Any of you have a life-time friend like Jerry? We’ll hit 60 years of friendship in 2010. SIXTY!!! Jeez we’re getting old! It was another extraordinary day in the life of an ordinary guy. PS - In our 1st grade class photo Jerry is in front row on the far right while I'm in the back row, far left. My mom made me wear a jacket that day! In bottom photo, Jerry is the one with the mustache. Makes him look younger than me. Click on photos to enlarge them.
tary years. The fact that we lived on opposite sides of busy Rt. 72 prevented us from being closer friends until later in our lives. My Mom wouldn’t let me cross Rt. 72 to visit Jerry, even when I was in elementary school! At times I would see him at the railroad station where his Dad worked. We entered junior high, but never seemed to be in the same classes together. We did had some good neighborhood football games during our junior high years which were played on the lawn on the west side of the railroad station. His neighborhood usually played my neighborhood. Both teams were pretty good and we had quite a few memorable games (check my story “I think he’s dead). We both decided to play football when we entered 9th grade. Jerry was small and I was skinny. Knew we wouldn’t go far. We only got to play in one game that first year and that was during halftime of a varsity game. They were showcasing what was coming they said. Yeah, right. We were crummy. Jerry was #72 and the center and I was #68 and the quarterback for one of the teams that game. If I had only realized that they don't give a prospective quarterback #68, I might have changed positions. Maybe I could have been the manager. We played against our own teammates and both teams wore the same color uniforms. Can you imagine how hard it was to figure out who was on your team. Our game lasted only ten minutes and we had to clear the field for the start of the second half of the varsity game. We did win the game when Jerry led the blocking for a qua
rterback sneak into the endzone for the only touchdown in the 10 minute game! Our 10 minutes of fame!! It was our last year playing organized football. When we were old enough to drive we bought cars. Jerry is a good mechanic and helped me rebuild my ‘53 Henry J in the garage behind his house. I'm not sure his dad knew we were doing that and using his tools. After finishing the rebuild, we took the car out to the unfinished Rt. 30 Bypass and drove around the barriers to take Mr. J. for a trial run. In high school my parents wanted me to take the college prep courses while Jerry took most of the shop courses, therefore we didn’t see much of each other. After high school Jerry entered the Navy while I headed to Millersville State Teacher’s College. Jerry married while in the Navy to Sue, his high school sweetheart (at least one of them). Sue was in our graduating class. After he left the Navy he returned and entered Millersville with the hope of becoming a teacher. Five years after graduation from high school I was teaching at my alma mater, MT. Shortly afterward, Jerry did his student teaching at MT in the room right next to my classroom. For years we worked together teaching until he became head of grounds and maintenance for the school district. In 1999 we both retired from good old MT and planned a retirement trip together. Two weeks in Hawaii with our sweethearts. We had the best time together. Upon return, Jerry and Sue mov
ed from Lancaster to Sue’s old stomping ground of State College. Carol and I found it neat to explore a new part of Pennsylvania with our friends. Every few months we would travel back and forth for visits and once a year we have been traveling to the Caribbean together. Jerry has always enjoyed the railroad since his Dad worked for Railway Express when Jerry was young. Jerry later worked part-time at the Strasburg RR near Lancaster during summers while teaching. He shoveled coal into the steam engine. Fun job?? After moving to State College, Jerry built an HO railroad layout in the lower level of his home. Reconstructed the Lancaster Train Station. REALLY NEAT! Every visit I get to see what’s new on the layout. I also got frequent calls to go over to the train station and tell him what color this was or how many bricks covered that. Hey, we knew how to use cell phones now. Jerry also recently went deer hunting for the first time. Bought himself a gun, but didn’t get a chance to use it yet. Now that’s not for me. Now, today he tells me he’s getting a pistol. Watch out, Sue. Any of you have a life-time friend like Jerry? We’ll hit 60 years of friendship in 2010. SIXTY!!! Jeez we’re getting old! It was another extraordinary day in the life of an ordinary guy. PS - In our 1st grade class photo Jerry is in front row on the far right while I'm in the back row, far left. My mom made me wear a jacket that day! In bottom photo, Jerry is the one with the mustache. Makes him look younger than me. Click on photos to enlarge them.
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