I had a very small single cylinder Honda motor cycle once that was a bit hard to start. It turned out the problem was a tight intake valve clearance, the same as your lawnmower. I suspect your fuel jelling may have been a bigger part of your problem, though. The additives in US fuel have a bad effect on its shelf-life, unless you add even more additives (fuel stabilizer).
Our equivalent of Memorial Day is in April (ANZAC Day), but the memories and sentiments it celebrates are similar to yours. Thank you and all Americans for bailing us out in the Pacific war; we had no chance on our own. Happy Memorial Day to you and yours.
