1914 ERA
Barney and Vic were two men that were born in a world without hospitals, grocery stores, electricity or plumbing. One was born in 1914, North Dakota, and one was born in 1913, Iowa, just a year apart. Farmers by birth, men of men by life, caretakers of the area by choice and leaders of the area by character.
Their fathers and mothers were the 1800 generation. Those who blazed the trail with sustainable life, pure will and conviction– the marker of DNA cloned “fortitude.” Today’s identification would be frowned upon.
Having been highly respected by their peers, they were often called upon for help or for their judgment. Leadership and character forged from DNA that pushed through their life and spirit and fortitude of lions. They prayed to their Creator for guidance and hope for success and times and ease from the painful hardships of life, and celebrated Him as the bountiful joys that life brought. Each only loved one woman and raised many kids– burying a few. Both men, of men, had friends that would do the same including sending brothers, sons, and friends off to war– some never to return.
With honor and dignity– both had dealt with, handled and survived to be grandsons, sons, brothers, men, husbands. grandfathers, and great-grandfathers. The two were successful in many ways, including farming, ranching, hunting, considerable servicemen, and skilled in innumerable trades– simply great men. Both were skilled in beekeeping, butchering, gardening, canning, and building. They possessed the resilience to get up every morning at 5 for the milking and tending to the livestock. They could grab a knife, a pitchfork, or a rifle and defend the chickens from predators– foxes, coyotes, wolves, and thieves. They could return to the house after an entire day of labor and still aid in soothing and holding of the children. They held the hardness to smash their hand while fixing the plow just to tape it up, continue, and tend to the wound later. They both endured simple prosperities and crushing indignities financially, physically and mentally, To rise every morning eager to greet the day’s directions, and lying down to rest at night knowing they accomplished what they could. They were proud men, strong men and good men.
Their strength and fortitude was grown from and through their women. Elma and Hazel stood and protected, nourishing, these values. For without this the character of these men would have been weak and without cause. For it was their wives who held the foundation and prayed for guidance, hope and success. For in the times of stress they held firm, and in times of blessings they praised the Lord and smiled from ear to ear– letting the world know of their great happiness. With this strength and resilience grew, and it was this unity that gave those two men their strength and resilience.
Never did they walk past anyone, who needed a helping hand, without lending theirs.
Never did they cut work short, nor waiver in strength in a time of peril.
These ‘Men of Men’ were laid down to rest respectfully in the mid 80’s and 90’s to reside beside their Lord in Heaven.
Fortitude – ‘Strength of Mind’ that enables a person to encounter danger & bare pain or adversity with courage and resolve.
This is their DNA & it survives today & is seen in their great-great grandchildren.
This company was forged from this DNA – Retter Equipment.