Join the Military, Kid
During middle school and throughout high school, Giffird worked three part-time jobs. When he was fifteen years old, he moved into his own little apartment above The Furniture Store on Main Street. In addition to working for the small business owners in the Stockyards, Giffird would take his shoe-shining kit to the Stockyards Hotel, nearby restaurants, and other public places, making several dollars cleaning boots for the cowboys’ and polishing footwear for the local businessmen.
One Saturday morning after he’d been living on his own for a couple years, Giffird was sitting on a wooden bench in front of The Furniture Store with his shoe-shining kit. This was a prime spot for business, because it was a favorite place for the local cowboys, employees and shop owners to gather. They would sit around and enjoy a hot cup of coffee or a glass of iced-tea and conversation.
On this day, the topic of discussion turned to the subject of Giffird’s future. The cowboys and businessmen gave him fatherly advice, and they all agreed on one point: since his high school days would soon be over, Giffird should join the Armed Forces, get the GI Bill, travel, and get an education. Giffird didn’t want to do that, because he enjoyed visiting and working with all of them so much. But out of respect for them, he thanked them and said he would think it over.
During middle school and throughout high school, Giffird worked three part-time jobs. When he was fifteen years old, he moved into his own little apartment above The Furniture Store on Main Street. In addition to working for the small business owners in the Stockyards, Giffird would take his shoe-shining kit to the Stockyards Hotel, nearby restaurants, and other public places, making several dollars cleaning boots for the cowboys’ and polishing footwear for the local businessmen.
One Saturday morning after he’d been living on his own for a couple years, Giffird was sitting on a wooden bench in front of The Furniture Store with his shoe-shining kit. This was a prime spot for business, because it was a favorite place for the local cowboys, employees and shop owners to gather. They would sit around and enjoy a hot cup of coffee or a glass of iced-tea and conversation.
On this day, the topic of discussion turned to the subject of Giffird’s future. The cowboys and businessmen gave him fatherly advice, and they all agreed on one point: since his high school days would soon be over, Giffird should join the Armed Forces, get the GI Bill, travel, and get an education. Giffird didn’t want to do that, because he enjoyed visiting and working with all of them so much. But out of respect for them, he thanked them and said he would think it over.