I am down in Florida, visiting a sick family member. He wants to keep his independence while also reaching out for help. It has been a tough balance for him and his pride, but we are working slowly together. During one break, I stopped in an Amvet thrift store to look around. I first found a DVD. Something about old tv shows.
One clip was The Lucy Show. She had John Wayne on that episode. The segment premise was she was infatuated with John Wayne-her all time idol. He was the ultimate actor and person in her eyes. During the resulting plot, Lucy had several accidents and incidents that would test how John Wayne would treat his fans. Through it all he never wavered, whether in actor-mode or just person-mode. Lucy and John Wayne were both wonderful in that 1966 episode of her show.
My brother, (whom I am guardian for) also loves John Wayne, especially in cowboy movies. Like Lucy Carmichael, my brother looks up to the image that John Wayne projects in movies. Our dad died when Hogi was six. His memories of Dad have gotten blurred in the last 55 years. Dad is now remembered as a cowboy like John Wayne. When watching a movie, Hogi comments that “Dad liked riding horses”, or “Dad had a hat like that”, or “Dad could rescue that person”. He is not wrong. Our dad could do that stuff. And I am glad that through John Wayne, my brother keeps some family memories alive.
I also bought a book when at the thrift store. It was “The Official John Wayne Handy Book for Men…Essential Skills for the Rugged Individualist” by James Ellis, published 2018.
This is a book that not only idolizes John Wayne, but also gives tips on how the Duke would handle situations in life. He was the ultimate role model for being a good man. It is a wonderful book to read…and now one can ensure they can build a fire, survive a bear attack, change a tire, dance at a wedding. There are tips on how to raise ’em right, how to grill the perfect steak, how to win at poker, how to fold an American flag. All this and more, including pictures and stories from some of the 169 movies that John Wayne starred in.
John Wayne was a hero in movies. He was true to his code of conduct. Trying to live up to grand ideals would be a worthy goal. I have a dear friend that also idolizes John Wayne, for those very reasons. He has modeled his life, raised his family on the virtues that John Wayne exhibited. Bob has shown everyone the right way to guide children, and the proper way to act, no matter what challenges may come his way.
Bob is a true hero. His actions and teachings have always been remarkable. All of our friends have noted (either publicly or just quietly to ourselves) that none of us have lived our lives or raised kids better than Bob. He also handles the adverse challenges that come his way with a grace and head-on commitment that is truly remarkable. Bob is more John Wayne, than John Wayne himself.
I bought the John Wayne book not to add to my library, but to send to Bob:
“A man’s got to do what a man’s got to do.”
I’m thinking of Bob. If he sees this article before the book gets to him, well:
“Whoa, take ‘er easy there, pilgrim!“
In the end, What Would John Wayne Say?
“Tomorrow is the most important thing in life. Comes into us at midnight very clean. It’s perfect when it arrives and it puts itself in our hands. It hopes we’ve learned something from yesterday.”
“I have tried to live my life so that my family would love me and my friends respect me. The others can do whatever the hell they please.”
Thanks for reading.
Librarytomes 
