What a day! I downloaded and read the TM for Deuce troubleshooting...checked the starter ground for continuity, checked for 24 volts to the starter...everything checked out.
So, I pulled the starter and saw the bendix was hammered. Went to a local repair shop and they rebuilt it in about 30 minutes! Seems the stupid city had the truck wired for 12 volts for a while, and it fried the solenoid. The bendix stuck in the engaged position and wasted the bushing on the end of the thrust rod. No damage to the starter, though. Heavy sucker!
Put the starter back in the truck, put in two fresh batteries, and hit it.
Instant start! Let it run for a little bit, and took her for a spin! Went no more than 10 blocks and got two thumbs up from some of the neighborhood veterans!
The wife has agreed to let me park it at the house! God love her for supporting my habit!
Thanks to all of you for your support and advice, and get ready for some project pics!