Perhaps my earliest and fondest memory is awakening to the sound of my Grandfathers tractor in the field next to our house.
I would run out after getting dressed to meet the hero in my life and to ride with him on the tractor for a half hour or so.
While growing up my dad had about 7 tractors which I started driving around age 10 to help out with his landscaping business and snow plowing business. For the past 25 years I got to drive tractors here and there a little each year. However, a few months ago, at age 54, I was able to buy my very own tractor. It is a 1966 Ford 3000 similar to the ones I grew up on. Both of my grandfathers had Ford tractors, as did my Dad, Uncle and two Great Uncles.
I found out afterwards that the tractor that I bought in Sept of this year was previously owned by a cousin of mine.
I am not a grandfather yet, but one day I hope to pass on to my Grandchildren the tractor legacy of our American past.
William Kennealy
Eagan, Minnesotta