LIFETALES...RAGS 2 RICHES ...OR WHATEVER

[Glenn W]

I originally came from 3 sandhills and two swamps to the left (west) of the guy above this post. As a youngster, the old man was an Air Force TAC ground crewman (enlisted) and was stationed at Edwards AFB assigned to the experimental program. Early/mid/late 50's-- Edwards--- experimental flight program-- I'll get to this in a minute.
Mid to late 60's-- life on a TAC base-- air crew kids hung together, officer/enlisted alike, as we were a little different than the non air crew kids. Friday afternoons brought the announcments on the school PA system-- the dad's that won't be coming home. Nonetheless, every kid wanted to be like their old man ( or your buddy's pop)--- a fighter pilot.
Fast forward mid 70's-- my grades were not bad, but certainly not top notch. Due to the Carolina Sargent's connections from Edwards, and those of a particular General that was a 2nd LT. in the 50's and my dad's best friend-- I was pretty much assured an appointment to the Accadamy.
Mid 70's?- AF Accadamy?-- not cool. Broke the old man's heart and I knew it, but I had more important things to do-- drinking, chasing girls, partying-- being a punk.
Piddled around from 1 college to another for 4 years ( I would stay till not welcome anymore). Finally, the old man pulled the rug out from under me-- you are on your own and you can't live in my house. Went to work selling auto parts. After 2 years in the real world and alot of growing up-- I finally woke up. It was time to pursue my dream every since I was a kid-- join the AF and become a pilot. Went back to school and busted ass. 1981 Got my B.S. and applied for AF OTS, got a navigator slot but not a front seat job--- F-- this, I ain't sitting back seat to anyone. Talked to the Navy-- Got my Pilot's slot so off to Pensacola. By this time, the old man was a retired E-9. Graduation ceremony, in line to receive my first salute and pay my silver dollar. Me and 24 other men are the most nervous human beings on the planet Then, there is my old man standing in AF Blues behind and next to my Marine drill sargent. Two men in front of me-- I swear I'm going to faint--- Now on deck-- please lord don't let me pass out. I walked up to recieve my salute and pass the coin. I received a salute but when I handed the coin I was pushed to his left-- I recieved a salute from a fat ole redneck in unacceptably tight AF Blues, pased him my Silver dollar and saw the old man cry the only time in my life. He was richest man in the world.

[Bite Me]

That for the most part we were all a bunch of screw ups that somehow managed to get past it all and ended up enjoying the riches of the sea. Pretty good common bond if you ask me.

Helluva story there John, JD, Glenn and the rest. I thought the bridge was bad. I am sure that there are still plenty of stories to tell. For instsance, my name is Lou but I used to be a Louise. Now, if you believe that or ever try to make me eat a bologna sandwhich, you WILL get the same treatment that mako got.

Just proud to be a part of this family of drop outs and dope heads.

Hope that my mom doesn't read this.

[Buckeye]

Two Songs sum it up for me

1) Kenny Chensey's Who you'd be today
2) Toby Kieth"s BIG BLUE NOTE

[JD5652]

Glenn W-

I was hoping you would chime in here bro'. I've had the pleasure of hearing the long version of this story first hand...and believe me....Glenn W is leaving a LOT of good stuff out here...but it's a great story any way you put it. Just in case anyone didn't quite get Glenn's intro...he and I were born about 1 year apart in towns within 10 miles of one another in one of the poorest, down trodden areas of NC.....never met until almost exactly 1 year ago now at the Hatteras Open......

......feels like we've know each other all our lives as it is with many here that I have had the pleasure to meet in person........and this made possible by the SFC connection.....like Lou said...just proud to be a member of this band of misfits.....

Great thread you have started here Box!

[Proheat]

JOHN, GLENN, JD, LOU- Thanks for sharing your stories, Just like a few have posted, you don't have to have money to be the richest person in the world. All you need is a loving and supportive family and alot of good friends. This site is what I call my family too!

I don't have a rag to riches story other than after working from a very early age and then after graduating High School, I worked for a couple HVAC companies and still had the dream of one day owning my own Business. The last company that I worked for was in bad shape and was soon to close its doors(Too many chiefs taking large saleries and not enough indians working to support the entire company)- So here is my shot- Either start my own business and make it work or look for another job. I finally took the plunge with a partner-to be truthfull, I was afraid of failure, so I figured if I went down- so would he! Partnership didn't work too well and partner ended in a divorce from his second wife- Business bank account was plunging rapidly from partner not working- I had to do something! I confronted him and after a few heated debates, decided to buy his share out! It took all that I had to do this, but was worth it. Had to hit the ground running again and build the business again. I had been in the partnership for 10 years and now was starting over. Its been 6 years now and I have tripled my business and just have 3 full time employees (besides myself working) and 3 part-timers (doing bookwork and such). Ive been through a bunch of employees that play the system or stole from me. Now I'm trying to get things rolling again and move forward- I'm just having growing pains with the business. I still work long hours , but have the richest life I know- I have a loving wife, son and family and alot of friends and family right here on SPORTFISHERMEN.COM- Life is great!



Barry

[JD5652]

Barry-

Great story man!......some people think that if you own your own business then you have lots of moo-la....most business owners I know are only rich in the fact that they own a little something and have the freedom to make their own decisions and decide their own fate......of course...being able to make a flexible schedule to fit a few fishing trips in is a PLUS....

[Proheat]

Barry-

Great story man!......some people think that if you own your own business then you have lots of moo-la....most business owners I know are only rich in the fact that they own a little something and have the freedom to make their own decisions and decide their own fate......of course...being able to make a flexible schedule to fit a few fishing trips in is a PLUS....

Yeah JD- You are 100% right. I could write a book on what I've been through with some employees too! Afterwhile you wonder if it is all worth it. But after being your own boss, it's kinda hard to go back and work for someone again.

[Buckeye]

John What a story. Thanks for the effort and the site. But most of all thank for putting up with us!

JD 10) says it all!!