Remembering John Wayne 30 years after his death

Hard to believe the Duke has been dead for 30 years. Who but his most ardent fans would have remembered this date. Thanks to FReeper Canteen for reminding us that the Big Guy died 30 years ago today. Be sure to visit both of the aforementioned links; there's some terrific stuff up there.

John Wayne was one of the all time great good guys.

Maybe he was a method actor. His on screen persona typified his off screen conservatism and all out love of America. In his prime (and it was a very long-lived prime) he was a stereotypical man's man: strong, opinionated, patriotic, gentle, wise, commonsensical and a damn good shot. His B.S. detector was finely tuned and he didn't take crap from anyone. To hell with political correctness.

First and foremost, he was an American. You were either for him or against him. There was no middle ground. He had no use for anti-Americans.

If you've never heard his audio clip of "America-Why I Love Her" you simply must:

When was the last time you've said or heard our "Pledge of Allegiance?" No one does it better than John Wayne:

And then there is his powerful denunciation of "The Hyphen" and the destruction it can and has wrought on this once great nation. Please watch this:

God bless the memory of John Wayne and the many great inspirational memories he still provides for all manner of Americans. His memory will always live on!

I can't tell you how much I miss John Wayne. What a guy!

Armand Vaquer has a good tribute to the Duke at his blog, Armand's Rancho del Cielo. Be sure to check it out.