Pass It On is a new, bi-weekly peek inside the heart and mind of Francis Pass…

Listen:

I believe God puts special people in our lives to help shape us into who we are today.

I’d like to spotlight a few of the folks who left their mark on my life’s journey.

When I was in high school, Bob Brewer gave me a job as a car hop at the Family Fun Restaurant in Carbondale.

What I admired most about him was his work ethic. Bob was not a 9 to 5 guy. He did what it took to be successful. He was proactive and left nothing to happenstance. I liked that about Bob.

While I was on the south side of the Mekong River in Vietnam, I met First Sergeant Verlon R. Bishop.

What I admired most about First Sergeant Bishop was his deep concern for his men.

He respected his men, too. He also had respect for every word that came out of his mouth. I don’t think I ever heard him utter a curse word. And believe me, in the jungles of Vietnam, that was a rare thing.

I would have died on the mountain for that man. And I know he would’ve done the same for me.

Another man that shaped my path is Abe Racine.

Abe was the Captain of my Charlie troop. He was a man of action who was also dedicated to his men.

What I admired most about Captain Racine was his courage.

Even though he was a captain, he insisted on charging to the front of the line during battle.

In doing so, he once had his finger shot off. Legend has it he told the medic to bandage the best he could, all the while still firing his 50-caliber.

Now that’s courage. Captain Racine had it.

After I returned home, I met a refrigeration repairman named N.A. Lukens.

He asked about my career plans after the military. When I said I didn’t know, Mr. Lukens told me that air conditioning was in its infancy and that heating and air conditioning would always be in high demand.

I liked the thought of the stability that brought, so I went to work in the HVAC industry for a buck-fifty an hour.

N.A. Lukens was a man of faith who, like Sergeant Bishop, never used foul language. He’d also seen too many families ruined by drinking, so he refused any refrigeration work in a bar.

What I admired most about Mr. Lukens was his honesty. You always knew where you stood with ol’ N.A. I liked that.

I am forever in debt to these four men for the values they taught me.

But the man who had the biggest impact on my life is the man who brought me into this world.

My father embodied the same traits of these other fellas, and then some.

He always took care of his boys.

He always demanded our house be neat and clean.

He was a lineman with an outstanding work ethic.

He was a man of his word.

But what I admired most about my dad was his strength.

Not just strong physically... but he also showed strength in his words, his teachings, and his integrity.

I suggest you surround yourself with strong, honest, and passionate people. Observe. Learn. And find ways to instill their lessons and values in your own life.

And while you may not consider yourself a leader... you DO have the ability to lead people by the examples you set.

What are people learning when they watch you?

Be well. Stay well. Thanks for readin’...

Francis Pass

P.S. – These traits are also what we look for when hiring at Pass One Hour. Just sayin’...