Roger - Kansas
Member
My parents were married in 1947 shortly after my father returned from military service in occupied Japan. In the summer of 1954 my father borrowed $500.00 from his parents and my mother borrowed $500.00 from her parents to buy a farm. Eight months later on May 25, 1955 on a farm near Udall Ks. my parents went to the basement with their two children. They emerged several hours later to find they had lost everything they owned in the worst tornado in Kansas history. My father picked up a hammer and started rebuilding, I never heard my parents complain about their loss. After the tornado they hung on and made things work. They later moved to Winfield Ks. where I grew up. In the fall of 1963 my parents had scraped together enough money to buy a new truck. It was the first new vehicle they ever owned. My father was so proud of it. I will never forget him telling me – I hope we are doing well enough now that we don’t have to use 18 year old trucks anymore. Maybe we can buy a new farm truck every 8 or 10 years now.
This year we are having a celebration of sorts. The “Red Ford” will start its 50th year of work. It is used on a regular basis. Three years ago it hauled 280 loads of dirt to reroute a terrace in a field. Two years ago it hauled 388 loads of dirt to reroute another terrace. If there is work to be done my father expects it to get done.
If you can’t tell, this is my fathers “Baby”. He has owned newer trucks and bigger trucks but this one has always been his favorite.
Used daily on the Schmidt farm in Winfield Kansas.
This year we are having a celebration of sorts. The “Red Ford” will start its 50th year of work. It is used on a regular basis. Three years ago it hauled 280 loads of dirt to reroute a terrace in a field. Two years ago it hauled 388 loads of dirt to reroute another terrace. If there is work to be done my father expects it to get done.
If you can’t tell, this is my fathers “Baby”. He has owned newer trucks and bigger trucks but this one has always been his favorite.
Used daily on the Schmidt farm in Winfield Kansas.