 The Hayden family was also brimming with many veterans, such as Hayden's grandfather, who fought at Verdun in France in World War I, and Irven Hayden, who found Burma Road in World War II.The Hayden family worked the same farm land that had been in the family for over forty years.Hayden recalls that growing up in a small town in a rural community was very helpful throughout his years in the legislature and as governor, because he felt a great closeness to Kansas, and its communities.