Thirty years ago today...

[twyacht]

James Maitland Stewart passed away July 2, 1997.

On that day, on this forum. We'll remember that great American.

Mark you calender FQ, I don't want you to forget.

[Ping]

Always loved John Wayne movies. Pegleg45, thanks for the link to info on John Wayne. Learned something else about him that makes me respect him even more.

He was a Master Mason. In other words, he was a good man who became a member of the Masonic Fraternity.

[Green Mountain Gringo]

Wonderful song reference BestSeller.....great first post.

I had the opportunity about 31 years ago to see the Duke live and in person at a destroyer launching at Bath Iron Works in Bath, Maine.  The Duke was a special guest along with other speakers.  He stood on the stage towering over dozens of us youngsters vying for an autograph (I was 15 years old and in the Front Row just underneath his feet ).  He looked out at us and said "Well, I can't sign 'em all."  He then handed out presigned pieces of paper.

He was a GIANT!



 

[ratcatcher55]

As of 2002 The Golden Jubille there were 3 civilians recognized for their outstanding support  of the US Special Forces .

1) Martha Raye
2) H Ross Peroit
3) John Wayne

The article recognizing him was written by Ronald Reagan

[Kid Shelleen]

Welcome bestseller,
Great first post about a great American patriot and a role model for a generation. We sure could use someone like the Duke to capture the imaginations of today's American youth. Sadly there is no one out there today to instill the values, virtue, self reliance and patriotism that oozed from the Duke's every pore. So many could benefit.

He was a real man's man. An old fashioned good guy.

Thanks for the link PegLeg. I learned a lot that I never knew.

[Sponsor]

[PegLeg45]

Not disagreeing. I was just amazed when I found out what Stewart did during the war and realized two things. First, I shouldn't have been because it should have been common knowledge. Second, the fact that it wasn't because he never really made an issue of it proves what a rare type he was for Hollywood. Hell, everybody who plays a USO show in Baghdad acts like they deserve a silver star. Can you think of a young actor today who could go five minutes without telling you if they'd served, much less fought? I love the Duke, just don't want to forget Stewart either.
FQ13

James Maitland Stewart passed away July 2, 1997.

On that day, on this forum. We'll remember that great American.

Mark you calender FQ, I don't want you to forget.

I know this is a "Duke" thread........ but here's a reference for FQ and others who may be interested.

http://www.downrange.tv/forum/index.php?topic=3161.0

[Ping]

Jimmy Stewart was a heck of a great guy and a wonderful actor also. I knew that he served during WW2 but had no clue of his military accomplishments.

Kid Shelleen wrote:

Sadly there is no one out there today to instill the values, virtue, self reliance and patriotism that oozed from the Duke's every pore.

Kid, I'd have to disagree. It is up to Us to instill the values, virtue, self reliance and patriotism. We are the modern day leaders and should set the example for the younger generations. Some of us were taught to pick up the slack by the greatest generation.

[Kid Shelleen]

Jimmy Stewart was a heck of a great guy and a wonderful actor also. I knew that he served during WW2 but had no clue of his military accomplishments.

Kid Shelleen wrote:
Kid, I'd have to disagree. It is up to Us to instill the values, virtue, self reliance and patriotism. We are the modern day leaders and should set the example for the younger generations. Some of us were taught to pick up the slack by the greatest generation.

I agree with you on that one Ping. I worked hard to instill those values in my kids and in all of my employees and co-workers over the years. Some took (Thank God my kids got it) and some didn't. I just wish they showed more of those values on TV, in the movies, and maybe, hoping beyond hope, I'd love to see those qualities in our top elected leaders; POTUS, VOTUS, Speaker of the House, etc. I liked Bush 1 and 2, but the last time I remember the kind of values that I'm talking about in a President was with Ronald Regan. We sure could use a Regan Conservative on the national level again.

[tombogan03884]

"We sure could use a Regan Conservative on the national level again."

AMEN !

[bestseller92]

John Wayne and Jimmy Stewart were great friends, to the extent that, when he learned that the Duke was making "The Shootist", Stewart asked to appear in it, and offered to do so for practically nothing.