Almost lifelong friend, met 50 years ago when we were in the Navy, have been friends ever since. He drove 1000 miles to attend our wedding; worked hard all his life, never compromised his ideals, raised 5 daughter, put them all through college and they are all doing very well for themselves; another friend's father, born dirt-poor, worked hard all his life, ended up with a big farm and a controlling interest in a large farm-equipent dealership, raised a bunch of kids who have done well, two guys I work with right now, military veterans, both do more than their share at work and have helped me out considerably since I came aboard, have raised hard-working, polite kids; didn't know any growing up, there weren't any in rural, northern NY at that time..
