Many of the things in my life that I am most proud of occurred because of the influence of hero figures who fascinated me as a child. They, or their characters, set forth ideals for me to try to aspire to that were idealistic and, in most cases, unrealistic, but they gave a young boy a direction to climb—upward. Thank you to each, and this book is dedicated to you or your memory. They are: Jesus Christ, the Ultimate Man ever, and the Son of God, my Savior and Lord; Marion Michael Morrison (John Wayne); Jock O’Mahoney (The Range Rider); Leonard Franklin Slye (Roy Rogers); Michael Ansara (Cochise); Guy Williams (Zorro); Al LaRue (Lash LaRue); Clayton Moore (The Lone Ranger); Jimmy Stewart; Gary Cooper; my uncle Roy Bendell, highly decorated in WWII; Nez Perce Chief Joseph and Lakota (Sioux) Medicine Man and Chief Sitting Bull, both master warriors, orators, and peace-seekers; WWI Medal of Honor recipient Sergeant Alvin York; and my dad, David C. Bendell, who was dedicated to the ideals of scouting and paddled me anytime I said the words “I can’t.”

Thank you all and may God bless you and your memory.

 

In respect and admiration, DON BENDELL