It was a reunion 65 years in the making. On a nice day during the holiday season, two men who had shared formative years at Howard University as Omega Psi Phi fraternity brothers reconnected, rekindling a bond that had been nurtured but never broken over decades of separation.

Frank W. Merritt Jr. and Charles Floyd Johnson, both members of Howard University’s Class of 1961, crossed Omega Psi Phi together on April 9, 1960. Their journey through one of the nation’s most prestigious historically Black colleges and universities, and marked by their fraternity’s deep traditions and shared experiences, set the foundation for a lifelong connection—even as time and distance kept them apart.

The reunion, orchestrated by Frank Merritt Jr.’s son, Byron Merritt, was a surprise decades in the making. “My father and Charles have been in loose email contact over the years,” Byron shared with Watch The Yard. “But they haven’t seen each other in 65 years.”

It all began three years ago, when Frank W. Merritt Jr., now residing in Virginia, visited Los Angeles to spend the holidays with his son. During that visit, he casually mentioned having an old friend, Charles, who also lived in the city. Despite the opportunity, they did not reconnect that year. The following year, his son decided to take matters into his own hands. He tracked down Charles Floyd Johnson online and arranged for him to call Frank on his birthday, December 26.

The call was and exchange that reignited their bond, but Byron knew a phone conversation wasn’t enough. This year, with advance planning, Byron ensured that Charles Floyd Johnson was in town for his parents’ holiday visit. On that day, at Byron’s Los Angeles home, the two fraternity brothers embraced for the first time in over six decades.

Reflecting on the moment, Byron shared the story’s significance: “Charlie came by our house, and they reunited after 65 years.” For the Merritt family, the moment underscored the enduring power of fraternity and friendship.

The reunion not only honored their shared past but also reaffirmed the timeless values of camaraderie and loyalty ingrained in Omega Psi Phi’s traditions.

For Frank W. Merritt Jr. and Charles Floyd Johnson, the holiday season brought more than family togetherness—it brought a reunion that spanned a lifetime. It was a reminder that while years may pass and distances may grow, the bonds formed in brotherhood remain unbroken.