Winston Churchill’s death 49 years ago January 24 corresponded with my Air Force assignment to a three-year tour at RAF Bentwaters/Woodbridge in Suffolk. The cabbie took me past Buckingham Palace, where the Union Jack was lowered in Churchill’s honor but the royal standard was at full staff. The driver, noting my American accent, was apologetic. “The Queen ain’t no better than you nor me, but she can’t lower her flag for Winnie, he warnt a peer.”

I soon realized that the royal standard is never lowered, even when the monarch dies, to make it clear the monarchy continues. But in 1965 when I was 18, I revered cabbies for their innate wisdom.