1980, it was such a simpler time

[Brinx]

I was 14 (now you know how frickin' old I am).... I was delivering newspapers and a fellow that had a rig in his yard , a 74 DR royale and a great dane flatbed, said "hey Democrat (as in Democrat and Chronicle) got an extra paper?"...sure I did and every morning after that...there was a paper wedged under the grab handle of his rig. soon there after, a friendship was carved and before too long, I had my first trip with Fred in his Diamond Reo...picking up a load of cabbage and drawing it to the sour krout plant a few miles away.

about 5 or 6 trips with Fred, I learned the  business of hauling and customer service. That year, we (him, with me just tagging along) hauled cabbage, apples, machine parts and even Christmas trees (along with a load he'd buy himself to sell in his front yard.)

In the off season, Fred would always have odd jobs for a young kid wanting to make a couple of bucks (model kits were expensive back then). we kids would cut grass, clean out his garage (shop) and even shovel dog BLAH_BLAH_BLAH_BLAH out of the kennel, (Fred called it "playing circus"). all the while teaching us kids to "make it right" with the customer. One of his favorite expressions was, "I'll sure make it right with you"...and he ALWAYS did! (I use it to this day). Many years later , I stopped in to visit Fred, I don't think he remembered me totally, but was still just as friendly as ever, and he did seem proud of how I'd turned out.

Old Fred is long since past, but his teaching lives on with this writer (as I'm sure several others)

Thanks Fred...I'm (we're) better for having known you!

[Old Buckaroo]

What a great story - thanks for sharing it.  I was/ am pretty fond of 1980 myself except I was 17.

[Renegade]

Enjoyed the story and have you both beat. I was 25 in 1980.

[anarximis]

i didnt even see them born in 93

[Truck parts]

That is a great story ,

[redneckrigger]

You are ALL youngsters!