This is the tale of a man, a hometown hero who made a name for himself back when the strength of your handshake sealed the deal before negotiations even started. It was a time when you were recognized by your aftershave not your cologne. Hats covered hearts and children recited the pledge every morning.

Taking pride in yourself meant a quarter could be bounced off your blanket and you could assemble your gun blindfolded, upside-down while reciting the alphabet backwards. Fun meant sending the new recruits to search for the left-handed monkey wrench and busting your brothers for earning chest candy.

It wasn't about what you had,
but rather what you made happen.