After 43 years working for the Illinois Central Gulf, William O. McDonald, a member of Lodge 1069 from Springfield, Illinois retired on May 1, 1985. At that time, his son Brian, then a student at the University of Illinois wrote a special poem for him. Brother McDonald, who passed away in 1996, sent it to the BMWE Journal because, "I thought it is so beautiful, I would like to share it."

On August 20 of this year Patsy Romano of Oregon, Ohio passed away. Brother Romano was 92 years old and had been a member of the BMWE for 55 years, Lodge 1664, Nickel Plate Wheeling & Lake Erie Federation. Patsy's son Nicholas sent a thank you card to the BMWE for the death benefit that was paid and wrote, the money "received will be divided among his three sons and used wisely. Enclosed is a poem that he wanted put in his casket that was taken out of the BMWE Journal although I do not know when. Maybe they could put in print again." Yes, we can and it is a pleasure to do so.

You worked out in the blowing snow
and under the scorching sun
in wind chills that reached 40 below
and in heat of a hundred and one

But now you've driven your last spike
and laid your last mile of rail
You've built your last crossing, thrown the last switch
and told them to forward your mail.

The steel-toed boots and that damn hard hat
now sit upon the shelf
Now you'll sit back on the old front porch
and reflect upon yourself.

On all the years of struggle
and the hardships that you've beared,
You'll wonder if you've done some good
or if anybody cared.

You kept the tracks that carried the coal
that lit the homes and stores;
The tracks that carried troops and steel
that helped to win the wars.

The trains that hauled corn and grain
to make our daily bread,
And the automobiles shipped from Detroit
all traveled on your gravel bed.

You helped to keep this country strong
so pat yourself on the back,
The things that made people's lives better
depended on your track.

For 43 years you did your part,
and earned Mom's respect and mine,
So thank you, Dad, for a job well done
now relax ..... it's the end of the line.