John Derderian’s Danner Story

by Holly Derderian (John's mom), 9/21/2008

John’s quest for Danner Boots began when he was about 12 years old.

One needs to understand John. Born July 4th, 1992~100 years too late~ with a true love for Trains and all Steam Powered equipment~he began working and volunteering at Antique Powerland in Brooks, Oregon at the age of 11. Gaining knowledge of Steam Power and equipment operations led to work in a Vintage Antique Steam Powered Saw Mill as well as volunteer work on our two Oregon Heritage Steam Locomotives the 4449 & the 700 at Christmas time with O.M.S.I.

Needless to say, John always worked in steel toed boots~longing for a pair of Danner boots.
Finally last year in the summer of 2007 at 15 yrs. old, his dad bought his first pair. He loved them~worked extremely hard in them including this summer on the Oregon Pacific Railroad.

In one years’ time~those boots need to be re-soled. His dad and he took them to the Danner plant here in NE Oregon..greeted warmly and promised his boots back in perfect working order.

I can’t explain our reaction when he got them back! I argued that they were a brand new pair! How could they replace those boots? John argued “Mom, I know these are my boots~I know my Serial Number!” His boots were so perfectly re-crafted they are brand new!

I recently had the opportunity to meet a fine employee of the LaCrosse/Danner family that I told John’s story to who encouraged my posting this on their web site.
I felt the need to share our experience with such an incredible company of the highest standards with everyone I could!

Thank you for your time.