"As any 16 year old I could not wait to get my driver’s license and be able to drive. Driver Education was provided as a class in high school. But I really remember my father (your Grandfather Major) taking me out to drive the family car. It was a 1950 Buick, 4 door. It was like driving a tank. I needed a cushion to get high enough to see over the big steering wheel.
     Graduation was a big deal. The graduation class only numbered 114. The commencement was held in North Royalton High School Gymnasium. Having a small class allowed everyone to know each other. Our class was very tight. Over the years, some 40 plus now, we still have close friends even though they may be separated by miles.
     With graduation, came a full time job and my first car. It was a 1950 Plymouth, six cylinder and a standard 3 speed transmission. I can still remembering my dad asking why I wanted to get a stick shift. It was what I wanted. Not having any experience driving stick, it took me exactly one week to figure it out. There is nothing like trying to start from a dead stop on a hill.
     The nation witnessed a tragic event in Dallas in November 1963. The president, John F. Kennedy, was shot and killed in Dallas, Texas. All Americans were shocked by the event. I was at work when my boss told me what had happened. I could not believe it. Since this was a national tragedy, our company owner gave us off on the following Monday so that we could join the nation in memorializing the president. I can still picture the procession from the Congressional building to Arlington National Cemetery and seeing John F. Kennedy Jr. saluting his father as the casket passed.
     Between January, 1964 and January, 1967, I served proudly in the U.S. Army. The good Lord was looking over me during that time. This was during the buildup of troops in Vietnam. I was fortunate to spend my time as a replacement for personnel in Europe.
     During my initial military training I was going to school in Huntsville, Alabama. The school was in the vicinity of the George C. Marshal Flight Center. On numerous occasions, the ground would shake and a plume of smoke would rise above the far hillside. It turned out that NASA was static testing the Saturn-5 rocket boosters that Werner Von Braun was developing for later use in getting US astronauts to the moon.
     While in Europe, I had the opportunity to visit Austria, France, Germany, Italy, and the Netherlands. Highlights in these countries included: Rome (Vatican City – St. Peter’s Cathedral, Vatican Museum), Pisa (Leaning Tower and the Baptistry), Venice (Gondola excursion on the Grand Canal), Bern-Geneva-Interlaken Switzerland, Bertchesgarten - Munich and Bavaria Germany, and Amsterdam. I even got to witness the Octoberfest Parade in Munich and have a beer or two at the world famous Hofbrau Haus.
     My interest in auto racing also allowed me to witness some of the greatest Formula One drivers in the world while I was in Europe. While watching races at the Nurburgring, Rheims, and Zandfoort, I saw the great Jim Clark, Jackie Stewart, Dennis Hulme, Dan Gurney, and Graham Hill compete against each other. These drivers were real class.
     To top the memories of the 60’s had to be my engagement and wedding to the former Joyce Gale Millin (your mother). I can still see her face as she came down the aisle of St. Mel’s Church on April 26, 1969. Her face was a glow. It was the happiest day of my life. I married the most beautiful girl in the world and the love of my life. That love increased through the years and has not diminished."
Mr. Major, Miss Major's Dad