In 1956, at age 14, Don ran away from home with his younger brother after a one-way argument with his father. I don't give a damn if you want to finish watching your program! Bring the boats in now! After years of abuse, neglect and a family with no love, this incident broke the camel's back. The next day, Don stole 35 from his father's drawer before telling his mom of his runaway plans. Oh, yeah she replied in her usual lackadaisical way, and then continued on with her sewing. The plan was to ride their bikes from Illinois to Florida, unbeknownst to them, a pedophile killer lurked the streets of Chicago. At 18, Don found an escape - he dropped out of school to join the Navy, where he met many other challenges. He was first stationed in Hawaii, right after it had become a state, and was attacked by a huge, crazed Samoan man, who may not have been fond about the US military being in his homeland! Several years later he got into a major argument with his wife and took off with the family