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"The Rifleman & Me"
 

Lucas McCain was my hero, father image and the one I wished I had as my father passed away when I was two years of age.  As a youngster, I can remember being warmed and drawn to that father - son relationship.  I played Lucas in the woods as a young boy, had a toy rifle as I recall, had the writing tablets with his picture on the front.  As I grew older, one of my deep wishes was to somehow meet Chuck Connors and share my heart and feelings with this larger then life figure I idolized as a youngster.

Back in 1986 or '87, out of the blue, I opened the local newspaper and lo and behold, Lucas was appearing in person at the local Blockbuster Video store on a Saturday morning. 
Needless to say, this 29 year old at the time was ecstatic!!

On that cool Saturday morning, business kept me busy and I scrambled to the store and caught the tail end of the line which worked out great for me.  I believed the line closed after me or very close there after.  Honestly I stood there in awe as I saw this lifelong dream unfolding before me.  Lucas stood seven feet tall it seemed with that silver mane.  He took a short break and then came out.  I went up to the table and Chuck smiled at me and I said to myself, Boy ! you better seize the moment like Lucas did in the street with all the side buster!!  I smiled and shook Chuck's hand while the first words out of my mouth were—Chuck or Mr. Connors....."This is a dream come true.....you were the father I never had."

Chuck looked at me with that million dollar smile then looked at an associate sitting beside him and said....."Did you hear that? How nice of you."  I introduced myself and he motioned for me to sit down beside him.  Chuck was most gracious, kind and patient as we talked and the picture was taken.  What a keepsake!!  We spoke about Johnny and aspects of the show for a better fifteen minutes before he departed for Texarkana.

I watched Chuck leave the premises and my dream had come to fruition.  I'll never forget the moment I saw Chuck standing there as he looked so good and vibrant and again his kindness with all of his fans on that wonderful crisp cool Saturday morning.
Harold Ashcraft—Shreveport, Louisiana  

Thank you Harold for sharing this picture & this special moment!     Cowgirl

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posted 4/17/07