As we all know the B&P Railroad used to stop in Calhoun County to pick up the Ammo made at the B&P Ammo works during the wars. After WW II the B&P Ammo Works shut down and there was no reason for the B&P Railroad to come through Calhoun County any more. The troops headed for Camp Calhoun for training were sent by another route and thus the years took the B&P railway from Calhoun County.

In its day though, The B&P Railway took many a troop to Camp Calhoun for training, and every train that carried troops to Camp Calhoun County was met by Callahan, usually known as AL.

The engineer from the B&P would blow the whistle at the bend down the canyon and Callahan, usually known as AL, would load up his cart with donuts and hot coffee and head for the station, for it was Callahan’s, usually known as AL's, given mission that no soldier would pass through Calhoun County without having had a fresh donut and a hot cup of coffee.

As things go in Calhoun County, it did not always work out that way. We all know that the winters in Calhoun County can be frightful and the snow can reach the height of the wheels on a car and those spring rains, we don't even talk about those any more for fear that one will come out of the south and float us into the next county. Summer, of course brings its intolerable heat. All of these things Callahan, usually known as AL, had to deal with and did as best he could.

All Callahan, usually known as AL, had to deliver the donuts on was his cart that he also used to move the baked goods around his shop. So, when Callahan, usually known as AL, heard the train whistle he always hurriedly emptied the cart in the shop and quickly filled it with donuts and hot coffee.

On a good day this worked out just fine as when Callahan, usually known as AL, would arrive at the depot the coffee would still be hot and the donuts fresh and fluffy. There were those days, however that things didn't work out that way and Callahan, usually known as AL, would arrive at the station with his coffee and donuts representing the current weather.

It can, however, be said for the troops coming through on the way to Camp Calhoun, that not a one of them complained when the donuts were soggy and the coffee was cold. One and all, they smiled at Callahan, usually known as AL, and thanked him for the donut and coffee.

Time has passed and the years have taken their toll on the train depot that is no longer used by the B&P. It has become downtrodden and in disrepair and used mainly by those seeking warmth on a chilly night when none was to be found anywhere else.

The Calhoun county VFW and American Legion got together one day and decided that the old B&P station would be a good place to put a memorial for all of those that had passed through or gone to war from Calhoun County and after many fund raisers and chili dinners, not to mention a few Bingo games and Pool Tournaments, the funds had been acquired and Veterans Day was set for the great reopening and unveiling of the plaque with the names of the Calhoun County veterans on it.

It was a warm day, a day that seldom comes on veterans day in Calhoun County. The temp must have been about 90 when the ceremonies began and those dignitaries started to speak. I noted, in the back of the crowd an old man in a wheelchair wearing an old apron and a smile upon his face.

The dignitaries all gave their speeches and the dedication had been made and the Flag was brought to its full height over the memorial. As the raising of the Flag began, the man in the worn apron stood tall from his wheelchair and brought his hand to his heart in full respect and stood there rigid as a rod until the flag was fully raised.

Then he sank back in his chair and looked behind him to see that there was a crew of people that were pushing carts like those that Callahan, usually known as AL, used to push to the train depot for the troops passing through.

Each cart was filled with fresh donuts and hot coffee. A hush came over the crowd as the donuts were pushed to the reviewing stand. After all, were not all of the ceremonies over, had not all of the dignitaries given their speeches and had not the Flag been raised to its fullest?

One of the persons who had been pushing the carts approached the man still standing at the microphone and asked him if he could have a moment with the mike. After a quick consultation, he was granted his moment and began to speak.

"All of you know me," he began. "but for those few that don't my name is Callahan, usually known as AL the Third. My father, Callahan, usually known as AL, made it a point during the wars to make sure that no soldier that ever came through here on their way to Camp Calhoun had to want for a cup of coffee or a donut."

"This morning as they were preparing for this ceremony, he called his staff together and told us that no soldier standing here in the heat or in a wheelchair, no soldier was to go without a donut and a cup of coffee. It was all he could do to remember the Depot and those brave souls that had passed through here, some to return, some never to return. So have your coffee and eat your donuts and remember that, no matter what, you are remembered."

I looked at the back of the crowd, the man in the old apron in the wheelchair was headed down the street. But I am sure had I been able to see his face there would have been a smile on it from ear to ear.