Born in 1933, raised on a small farm in the Ozark hills near Branson, Missouri, I experienced the Great Depression to its fullest. I never forgot the importance of assisting those under stress; people I was capable of helping during their time of need. Walking barefoot as a young lad, my feet enjoyed the soft soil, green grass and tree leaves as well as endured hazards of briars, sharp rocks, snakes and poison ivy. These early barefoot experiences trained me to distinguish between good and bad. They also gave me endurance. Without realizing it, I was training for life's challenges. My parents...