When I was younger I wondered what kind of America we would have after John Wayne died. Who would "take the mantle", so to speak and publicly proclaim their love for this country. I know alot of folks will say that John Wayne's patriotism was hype, and that it was done to perpetuate his image.
I met him once years beore he died while we both were living in Newport Beach, CA. My cousin worked at a local boatyard, and was repairing something on his yacht (a refurbished minesweeper), I went to the yard with him to interview for a job and during the course of the morning met THE MAN. I didn't get the job, but I got to have lunch and a beer with him. Needless to say I was star-struck, but something happened that really impressed me. A sailboat went past us flying the American flag, and he stood straight as an arrow, and saluted it as it passed. Then he told me "Never forget to salute the flag boy. It belongs to you, and every American whose blood is represented by those thirteen stripes. Don't forget them, they made it possible for us all to be free men. Without them, America would not be the greatest country on Earth. It's up to your generation, and your children's generation to carry on that legacy, but they never will unless you remind them."
Thanks again for the post, and the opportunity to remember a truly great man.