Excerpt from: “From a 13 Year Old Hobo to an Entrepreneur”
Author: Everett L. Gracey – e-mail: gracey@eg.reno.nv.us
Hopefully this story could help our many troubled teenagers to let them know what tough times are really about. Some teenagers today feel that they have tough times. They complain if they don't have a new car at age 16.
This story is about a boy growing up during the Great Depression, a very confusing and a frustrating time, 1922 through 1939. He stumbled through life not knowing what was coming next, living from day to day. Finally in the middle of the seventh grade at age thirteen, confused and without leadership from schools or guidance from his parents, he dropped out of school to go out into the world to be a cowboy. He traveled around the western part of the United States from 1935 through 1939 riding freight trains, looking for any work for a good meal. He competed in rodeos and worked on farms and ranches. He married, (still married to Dorothy for 61 years) worked in canneries, drove trucks, was in the infantry in World War II, (Received the Silver Star, Bronze Star and Purple Heart medals) he was an insurance agent; he sold cars; entered into real estate sales and finally became an entrepreneur in manufacturing products for the amateur and commercial radio market.
A few teenagers feel that they are living through miseries and some kids want to drop out of school and make a real mess of their lives.
The teenager today to move forwards in life should go all the way through school. My advice is to study hard! Get that diploma! The job market today wants to see that piece of paper.
Everett L. Gracey, Author
E-mail: gracey@eg.reno.nv.us