Growing up in the 1950s, there were many heroes for us kids to idolize. But one stood out. John Wayne. My father and I sat in front of the TV set on countless evenings watching Duke fighting the bad guys, swooning the ladies and riding the range. We had our snacks, drinks and were all set to watch Duke clean up a lawless town, fight the outlaws and save the damsels from certain peril.

Duke was truly bigger than life. at least, to a young boy. He carried his six shooter and that rifle with the ring style lever and there was no situation he couldn't tackle. There were others such as Tom Mix, Gene Autry, Roy Rogers and Hopalong Cassidy, and they were all good as well. But, John Wayne was the name that would be remembered more than any other. He was truly an American legend.

This is a two-page blog as there is too much to put only on one page. I'm 75-years old at this writing but I still remember the Duke fondly. Today I can watch an old movie and be transferred back in time to when I sat on the sofa with my father and watched them. When Duke died in 1979, it was like loosing a favorite uncle or friend. John Wayne was a big part of my youth. Over my early years I met a lot of celebrities. But I never got the chance to meet Duke. But I can still see him whenever I gather my snacks and drink and turn on the Television set. Duke is still riding, roping, shooting and fighting. That's the magic of movies.