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I worked as a part-time gate guard at Bayshores Community Association in Newport Beach, California in 1978. I was told Mr. Wayne lived there, but I hadn't seen him. One day a familiar faced lady arrived and announced herself as "Ms. Burton for Mr. Wayne". I checked the guest list and couldn't find her name. She insisted she was on there and I looked again and still came up empty. There was something in my mind telling me I knew this person, but I couldn't come up with a name.

Then she asked to see the list and I handed her the clipboard. "There is my name, young man, right here!", she said as she pointed to ELIZABETH TAYLOR! I realized it was not Burton, but I finally figured out who she was and let her pass.

About a week later, the Duke rolled through my gate in an RV. He stuck his head out the window and said "You're new here, aren't you"? I said yes, and then he noticed that I was wearing a USMC logo t-shirt in the photo on my security badge. He asked if I had been a Marine before, and I answered, "No sir, I am a Marine NOW! I have been in the Corps for 8 years now."

He insisted that I come down to his place after I got off shift for 'a cold one'. I told my boss of the invite and that I was going there when I got off. He said that I should refrain from visiting any resident's house as I was an employee there. I told him he could fire me if he liked, but there was no way I would turn down an invite for 'a cold one' from the Duke himself!

I went to the Wayne residence when I got off at 9:00 PM and he treated me like a king! He told me that he only got to play a Marine in the movies, and that I was the real thing. I never saw such humility as he displayed that night. He got me good and drunk and put me up in a guest room for the night. After a hearty breakfast the next morning, I was on my way back to the Marine Corps Helicopter base at Tustin.

I will always remember that day.