The Unsung Hero of Birdsong, USA

Jake is amazed that Meriwether was able to repair the Chevy, and he promises to transfer the vehicle’s title to him as soon as possible. While Meriwether and Gabriel run the gas station together, the boy asks him about the man in Batesburg. Meriwether is reluctant to share the story with Gabriel even though Abigail, who is two years younger than him, already knows what happened. Meriwether explains, “Mosta our young ones lose their innocence long before mosta y’all do” (143). He explains that the man’s name is Sergeant Isaac Woodard. The police beat and arrested him for wearing his military uniform and asking to use the restroom, and his eyes were gouged out while he was in jail.

Meriwether expresses the pain of having “a taste of real freedom” overseas, only to return to “the cruelty of Jim Crow” (145). Gabriel lowers his head in shame, but Meriwether tells the boy that he’s not to blame. Later that evening, Meriwether thanks Jake for the car again and drives Abigail home.