History by osmosis and location

by Mr. Sheehy

I am increasingly aware that growing up in New England had created an overconfidence in my sense of American history. Yeah, I know history, I always figured: I’ve walked on Old Iron Sides. Sure, I know my history: we’d drive past Bunker Hill all the time.

But this confidence was always misplaced. I knew we were at Bunker Hill because the building beside the Interstate said Bunker Hill Community College. And while my school was named after a Revolutionary war hero, to me John Stark’s greatest achievement was not a strategic stand at Bunker Hill but Gerry Healy’s cross-court, no-look pass to Charlie Chungu in double overtime to win the state title.

So my knowledge has been shallow.

Or maybe it’s just muddled. I mean, it was an amazing pass.