Grandpa's Wagon
© 2011 - William C. Highsmith

The private cemetery, on a small plot of land belonging to the Gilchrist family, was the final resting place of Albert and Martha Gilchrist. Wild flowers grew up around the wheels and through the bed of an old wagon that had been there for many years after its last use by Albert Gilchrist before he went to war in 1940.

Albert lived in a settlement called Avery Creek

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on the east end of the Pisgah National Forest. The wagon had served him well as he delivered supplies to the workers of the various New Deal public works such as the Civilian Conservation Corps, established by Franklin D. Roosevelt. They worked to help build the Blue Ridge Parkway. It was ironic that, at the time he was finally 'making a living', he was drafted and asked to serve his country in another way. Leaving a wife and a young son named Aaron behind, he eventually found himself in Europe where he made the ultimate sacrifice on June 3, 1942. Finally, his body was returned to Avery Creek where he was buried on his own land.

As time marched on, Aaron, too, found himself at war. This time it was in Southeast Asia. Unlike the 'welcome home' given to his father's generation, he felt rejected when he returned from Vietnam. Although he came back without a scratch, his psyche was terribly damaged. He was deeply scarred by all he had experienced. Thus, began a journey without a destination. As he rambled about - seeking he knew not what - he finally stopped in Central Florida where he hired on to a construction company. Soon, he began to settle down to the new challenges and started to heal when he met a special girl. She was a daughter of the company's owner. At last, there was someone who appreciated him for who he was. He began his own family and had not been back to Avery Creek for twenty years. Now it was vacation time and time to take 'Little Al' to visit his grandparents graves.

"Daddy - can I pick a flower from Grandpa's wagon?" asked Little Al.

"Sure - I know he would love to have you pick some. We can put them on Grannie's grave. I sure wish she could have met you. She would have been pleased."

By William C. Highsmith - May 12, 2011