A Veteran’s Lesson That Still Holds: Remembering Floyd Alexander Kerr Jr.

Every morning, when I pass the folded American flag that sits in my room, I think of my father, Floyd Alexander Kerr Jr. He was a proud U.S. Army veteran who served during the Korean War, a man who believed in training others in construction.

He used to tell me, “Don’t cut corners,” especially when I was making my bed. But truth be told, my dad could make a shortcut look like a work of art. He built houses all over this community, and though he doesn’t get much credit for it, his handiwork still stands in quiet tribute. If you look up at a rooftop in Lincoln Park and notice a perfectly framed gable — that’s where you’ll find his signature.

He never sought recognition. He worked because it was what you did. Because families needed homes, and good Masons built them. The Army taught him discipline and perseverance; the rest he learned through calloused hands, early mornings, a bottle of Crown, and a strong back.

My father believed in hard work and taking pride in simple things — a straight line, a tight joint, a bed made neatly before you start the day. He showed me that work is a kind of service, and that a man’s legacy doesn’t have to be loud to last.

Sometimes, when I catch my reflection, I see him staring back — those big ears and that same crooked smile. It makes me laugh, and it makes me ache a little, too. I miss him every day.

That folded flag in my room isn’t just a symbol of his service. It’s a reminder that his strength, his humor, and his love are still here — built into the walls of this community, and in me.

Thank you to all those who have served!