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Hochman: For Memorial Day, St. Louis man remembers friend Pat Tillman, ‘a national hero’

Related Topics: Brock Olivo, Pat Tillman

On an April day, 20 years ago, a box van for Johnstone Supply pulled over to the side of the road.

The driver was in Fenton, just under the Interstate 44 overpass on Yarnell Road. By the Soccer Park. And the Meramec River.

“It’s one of the things, like 9-11 — I can remember where I was,” said Ron Janes, 49, of Wildwood. “I pulled over and digested it. … I just remember feeling this pit in my stomach. I was a young man at the time. And we were around the same age.”

With his distinctive nickname and neck roll padding, Ron “Rhino” Janes played fullback for Mizzou, blocking for the likes of Brock Olivo and Devin West.