Chapter IV: “The poor, innocent, unfortunate little children belong to us…”

Over the years, Father Flanagan continued to direct all aspects of the program and remained the “father” to all the boys, but he also had other roles outside those in Boys Town. He became internationally recognized as the world’s most foremost expert on boys’ training and youth care. Governments and private groups in the United States and abroad asked Father to consult on the problems and care of castoff boys of every description and nationality. After World War II, at the request of U.S. officials, Father Flanagan traveled to Japan and Asia to explain what he had done and how he had done it. A trail of new homes fashioned after Boys Town followed his appearances.

In 1948, at the request of President Harry Truman, Father Flanagan went to Europe on a round of conferences, lectures, interviews, inspections and discussions dealing with children orphaned and displaced due to the Second World War. The schedule led him to Berlin on May 14, and after a heavy day, he retired early. He awoke about midnight to the pain of a heart attack, and called for a priest and a doctor. Both came, but shortly after midnight, Father Flanagan died. His body was taken home to his beloved boys and entombed in the Dowd Memorial Chapel at the Village of Boys Town.

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