Cornershot

Reading the CornerShot of June 19 brought back memories of my teen years.

The article referred to a scene where construction workers removed their headgear and showed respect to a passing funeral procession.

From 1960 through 1973, I worked on my stepfather’s construction crew to earn spending money and later to pay for college expenses.

I had the opportunity to work with and learn from a group of older, highly skilled gentlemen who were not just carpenters but true old-time craftsmen.

During the summer of 1968, we were building the new St. Joseph Catholic Church in Rockville, Ind. On one particular day we were laying decking up on the roof when a funeral procession for one of the “town fathers” passed by.

The funeral procession stopped for a traffic sign adjacent to the church.

No orders were given. Not a word was spoken. The hammers stopped. We all stood and faced the procession, removed our hats and showed our respect.

As the last vehicle passed, we all paused for a moment. Silence prevailed. Not a word was spoken. No orders were given. It was hats on and hammers pounding.

Even though these occurrences took place years apart, they indicated that there are those who possess and haven’t forgotten the home-taught, true old-fashion morals of good manners, honor and respect.

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