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"Twenty-eight years ago, my wife Penny and I, with our then two children – Noah, a 4-month-old, and Noel, a 2-year-old – decided that I would open my veterinary practice at Lodder’s Plaza and raise our family in the near vicinity. We had saved money while in the service to tide us over until the practice took off, and the plan was that we would buy a house with no down payment with a VA loan. A problem developed in that the VA would not loan money to someone who couldn’t demonstrate an income. On top of that, the local financial institutions demanded that my parents co-sign any loan that they would offer. This was difficult to accept for someone who had just spent three years serving his country. The day I met Dick Fitton, the president of First National Bank in Hamilton,
completely changed my outlook. When Penny and I visited his office, we
saw behind his desk a large portrait of Ohio Stadium. I introduced myself
as a recent graduate of the College of Veterinary Medicine at Ohio State,
and spoke of my borrowing plight. The loans were approved without co-signers
and Dick encouraged us to buy the house in Laurel Estates that we were
afraid we couldn’t afford. I think he, more than I, knew the future
was going to be a lot brighter than I ever dreamed. I will never forget
that day, and I am so appreciative of the confidence that Dick showed
me then and throughout the following years."
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