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I was in the Boys Scouts until I was a Second Class scout.

Every summer, my troop would go to Camp Ma-Ka-Ja-Wan, way up north near Pearson, Wisconsin.

One summer we went whitewater rafting down the Wolf River. The scoutmaster, Bob Grandy and his wife tipped over and lost their raft and paddles. With the raft went Mrs. Grandy’s shoes.

The Grandys got back in the raft, and I grabbed them from our raft, keeping it stable, holding on for dear life.

We got our raft to the shore, I held on tight the theirs, and I helped Mrs. Grandy to the rocks. They decided to walk back to the bus stop, so I let Mrs. Grandy borrow my old stinky kid shoes. I could manage without shoes for the rest of the trip.

With that act of heroism, Mr. Grandy called me “The Rock”, as noted on this Totin’ Chip certificate.