Would You Like To Meet A Legend?

"Success usually comes to those who are too busya bank loan for 3500.00, purchased a business license
to be looking for it." -Henry David ThoreauIn July Iin Albany, NY and opened Hasbrouck Tavern in
had the privilege of digitally recording a piece ofWoodburn, NY.It was a small building that he built by
history - a 3 1/2-hour conversation between twohand and was located out in the woods in Sullivan
icons in the retail automotive sales industry, Mr.County, NY. He purchased an old Chevy for 35.00,
James A. Ziegler and a true living legend,painted "Hasbrouck Tavern - Dine and Dance" across
Mr. Irving Silver.Irving Silver is now 89 years old,the back and parked it in front of the tavern.Mr.
going on 35. He rescued over 100 U.S. Soldiers duringSilver stated, "The Tavern was my first experience
WWII. He sold 837 Jaguars in less than 3 years. Inwith successful marketing. We hung posters and
1949 he was the first salesperson in his industry tohanded out flyers all over the place that read,
earn almost $50,000 in 1 year. He was awarded the'Hasbrouck Tavern - Come and see the Hillbillies
Bronze Star Medal by General Douglas MacArthur,Square Dance.' New York people from the Bronx and
personally.Jim and Irving discussed many topics,Brooklyn had no idea what square dances were, but
including the attitude, sales techniques, processes andthey were curious."On opening night, the Silvers could
work ethic that both men utilized to reach the levelnot accommodate all of the people that showed
of success that they have in their careers and in theirup.Later that year he and his bride of four years
lives. When the shoot ended I had no clue that 3 1/2Ronnie, left upstate New York and traveled to
hours had passed.If sales professionals will simplyAtlanta, Georgia. For a while he was in the jewelry
listen to what these two men have to say, thisbusiness before he decided that he didn't want to
content has the potential to change lives forever. Ittravel anymore. Given his long time love for cars, Mr.
has mine.It is my sincere honor to introduce youSilver wanted to sell them.Mr. Silver went to several
to:Mr. Irving SilverLiving in Sullivan County, NY, Irvingdealerships in and around Atlanta in search of a sales
Silver sold his first automobile in 1934 at the age ofposition. He stated that he had a difficult time landing
16. Earlier he had purchased a Model T pick-up trucka job until Lander Motors decided to "give him a
for 8.00. He restored the old truck and drove it for ashot." He began to speak about his early experiences
while, then sold it for 16.00. Mr. Silver stated, "That'sat Lander when he was asked, "Why was it so hard
when I knew it. I told myself that when I grew up Ito land a job at a dealership?" Mr. Silver replied with a
was going to sell cars."On December 7th, 1941, achuckle, "I was the first Jewish car salesman ever in
young Irving Silver heard over the radio that thethe history of Atlanta."1946 - In his first 22 months
Japanese had attacked Pearl Harbor. On April 6th,as a salesman at Lander Motors in Atlanta, Irving
1942 he arrived at Fort Dix, New Jersey and enlistedSilver delivered 235 new cars, 15 trucks and 70 used
in the United States Army. He then proceeded tovehicles. (Good thing they decided to "give him a
Fort Bragg, NC for Basic Training and received theshot").In 1949, he became the first auto salesman in
rank of Corporal due to his knowledge of dieselAtlanta to make over 50,000 in one year.Over the
engines. He trained exclusively on landing craft andnext few years he became the number one
during combat operations he operated an LCM,salesman in the country for Dodge and Plymouth.In
(landing craft medium).Mr. Silver was involved inthe 1960's he was the number one Nash Rambler
military operations in New Guinea, Guadalcanal,salesman in the country and became a member of
Okinawa, Iwo Gima and the Philippine Islands.Inthe Chevrolet "Legion of Leaders."In the late 1980's
October of 1944 he took part in the largest Navalhe became the number one Jaguar salesman in the
battle that the world has ever seen, The Battle ofWORLD, delivering over 837 Jaguars in less than 3
Leyte Gulf.One day as the Allied Navy and theyears. A record that has never been broken.Due to
Imperial Japanese Navy were engaged in heavy navalan injury Mr. Silver "retired" from Troncalli in 1989. At
combat, Mr. Silver and his crew members observed78 years of age, he was back in the saddle in 1995
two disabled U.S. PT Boats.He and his crew navigatedreturning to work at Troncalli.Mr. Silver had a top
their Landing Craft Medium, (joined by another LCM),gross of 21,000.00 in a single day. (Commission, not
out to the disabled vessels and the battle, ran cablessales).Mr. Silver is the founder of the first Automotive
underneath the two vessels and successfully towedSales Institute which was accredited by the State of
both vessels out of harms way.Mr. Silver landed onGeorgia, he led the board for over 47 years.He was
the Philippine Islands ten days before Generalalso director of the Antique Automobile Club of
MacArthur did. His mission was to assist the FilipinoAmerica - Southeastern Region.Irving never looked
Guerillas in establishing listening posts in Mindanao inback. Over the years he would sell cars to the sons,
preparation for the impending troop landings.daughters and grandchildren of his customers dating
Mindanao was fully occupied by the Japanese.Onback to 1949. He personally sold over 100 million
December 30th, while preparing for a planned landingworth of automobiles before he stopped keeping
at Mindoro on the Western end of the Philippinetrack.Charlie Troncalli, head of Troncalli Jaguar,
Islands, Mr. Silver and his crew observed a 200' longLincoln-Mercury and Saab wrote: "...he has more than
"PT Tender", (munitions supply ship for PT Boats),earned the title of 'legend.'" A Jaguar trade publication
that had been struck by a Japanese Kamikazereferred to him as "Sterling" Silver.AND...To top it all
aircraft. The ship was on fire and was adriftoff, in 1965 Mr. Silver had an idea for an invention.
approximately 300 yards off-shore. The craft wasThe turbine operated wet/dry shaver. He holds the
also fully stocked with torpedoes and other highlypatent on it. Due to the fact that his shaver is
explosive munitions. Mr. Silver and his crew navigatedturbine operated, it sucks the cut whiskers into a
their LCM, (joined by another LCM), out to thecanister which means they won't float around in
burning ship. He and his crew boarded the highlyouter space. Today, every time an astronaut inside
volatile vessel and rescued over 100 injured Sailors.Inthe Space Station shaves, he or she utilizes Irving's
early 1945 General Douglas MacArthur personallyshaver.In closing - If you are ever fortunate enough
awarded Irving Silver with The Bronze Star Medal forto meet a true American Hero, PLEASE, P-L-E-A-S-E
"Heroic achievement in connection with militarytell their story. Our country needs it now more than
operations against the enemy." General MacArthurever.View photos, letters, video clips and more at:
also gave Mr. Silver a Battlefield Commission from theHurst is the IT/Interet Marketing Director for The
rank of Corporal to the rank of Captain.Also in earlyZiegler Corporations located in Atlanta, GeorgiaYou
1945 after returning from WWII, Mr. Silver took outmay contact J.C.