Great story Jim and welcome to the garage!
Start posting up as it takes 4 or 5 posts to get all the way into the site.
What part of the midwest are you? We have a Stovebolt Reunion every fall in KC.
I'm thinking Kansas or Nebraska.
https://www.stovebolt.com/ubbthreads/ubbthreads.php/forums/56/1/stovebolt-reunion-kansas-city.html
More info on that will be starting in May.

Don


1967 GMC 9500 Fire Ladder Truck
"The Flag Pole"
In the Stovebolt Gallery
1946 2-Ton grain truck
1946 3/4-ton pickup,
1953 1-ton pickup
1957 1-ton flatbed dually,
1954 Pontiac Straight Eight
Of all the things I've lost in my life, I miss my mind the most!