I received this story from Stetson with a suggestion that my readers would ejoy it. Well, after reading it, I agree. This is from Stetson. And frankly, I don't know who wrote it. But, you may like it this Father's Day.
Happy Father’s Day from all of us at Stetson. In celebration of all the fathers and father figures out there, we’re honored to share the story of fourth-generation Wyoming rancher Luke Long, who’s looking forward to carrying on the Stetson tradition with his own newborn son, Stetson Long. |
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My great-grandparents arrived in Jackson Hole in 1912. Homesteading in those days required determination and toughness, qualities my great-grandfather possessed. That same year my grandfather was born. Over the course of his life he became a renowned bronc rider, which landed him as a member of the Wyoming Cowboy Hall of Fame. His legendary status was well-deserved. |
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My father moved to Wyoming shortly after college, drawn to the state's pioneer spirit and vast open spaces. My fondest memories are assisting my grandpa and dad on the ranch, where knowledge was passed down through hands-on experience; riding horses, caring for the land and cattle. |
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This year, my wife and I joyfully welcomed our son, Stetson, into the world. We named him after the cherished Stetson cowboy hats worn by generations of our family. The name symbolizes western values such as hard work, integrity, stewardship, and a pioneering spirit. When the time is right, I will proudly pass down my Stetson hat to my son. It’s an item that represents our heritage—four generations that have embraced the spirit of the cowboy. |
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Luke Long and his family own and operate Diamond Cross Ranch in Jackson Hole, Wyoming. |
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Beautiful, Tom. Just beautiful. I think I'm gonna cry. I ain't kiddin' man, you really hit home. And it's not just fathers who pass down their culture, heritage, or even their name. It's others too. Like the mothers, the teachers, the police, filmmakers, musicians, and YES, for all of you stuck-up millennials out there, even the influencers. They have so much to offer us. Whenever I think of things we pass down from generation to generation, I think of three songs. I think of "A Country Boy Can Survive" by Hank Williams Jr., "Take Me Home, Country Roads" by John Denver, and "Granddaddy's Gun" by Aaron Lewis. You can't go wrong with songs like that. They remind you of something. Maybe it was your first kiss. Your first car. Your first date. Or even your first time eating at McDonald's. And there's so much we've been given. Some of it is lost forever, but what we keep is what we keep forever. I hope that Stetson article meant as much to you cowpokes as it did to Tom and me. It says a lot about loyalty, family, but more importantly, love. And those three things never go away. And I don't think they ever will. So from everyone here at the American Cowboy Chronicles, remember. Keep your guns on an empty chamber, Call your Mama while you still can, get something for your Dad, Keep your powder dry, Don't pet the rattlesnakes, and Happy Trails.
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