Jim
I was quite surprised when I bought my new ones too. They did not come with the bolts in the ends like I thought they would. You got new ones, so that is why you are in that situation.
Used ones usually have the bolts because there is no reason to pull them out. Most people put on good used ones, so there aren't may who run into this problem.
It is easier than you think to change them. Just put the threaded part of the bolt in a vice with a paper towel or rag wrapped around the threaded part of the bolt and tap the strut with a hammer or a rubber hammer. Then after you get it out, leave it in the vice and gently tap the strut onto the rounded part of the bolt. You are now back in business.
Let me know if you need any more help. If you still can't get it, I could do it for you when you came up to the meet in a couple of weeks at the tulip festivel. No problem. I have all of the tools and it would only take 15 to 20 min max. I live only about 6 miles from where the meet is, and you could do it before or after the meet. That is an offer you can hardly pass on.