In a recent thread some unkind comments were made about John Wayne.The drift of it was that since he did not serve in World War II but,instead,portrayed soldier-parts in films only makes him an object of contempt...
I'd like to comment:
During the Vietnam War John Wayne was almost ALONE in his support of the troops fighting that conflict.His movie "Green Berets" was the scene of fist fights at theatres across the country.The "friends of Uncle Ho"did their level best to stop its showing across America.
Movie stars today jumping on the bandwagon of support for the recent war are no comparison to what Wayne willingly did.It cost him dearly too.He was blacklisted for years by(who else)Hollywood for speaking up.
By the way,he had a passle of kids which rightfully gave him an honorable exemption from service.
Wayne visited with the Special Forces at Ft.Bragg to learn something about them before making his movie.Later,he visited with SF A-teams in-country(Vietnam)and I'm not talking about the air conditioned facilities of rear echelon.He participated in the(ugh!)Montaignard SF initiation rites which involve the drinking of really foul alcohol and whatever else.He was given the Montaignard bracelets(made from mortar shell wrappings)which he wore the rest of his life.You can see him wearing these prized bracelets in every post Vietnam film he made.
Part of the "Green Berets"was filmed at Ft.Benning.There Wayne contributed the "village"and "base camp"in his film to the U.S.Army-for training facilities.They were used for many years.
But the fondest thought of this generous man was when he visited the J.F.K.Special Warfare Museum(then a fledgling concern.)
This facility was supported almost entirely on "bake sales"and other non-Pentagon financed contributions by the girlfriends and wives of 5th.and 7th.SF Group men.SF was unpopular in those days with the hide-bound regular army types.
Wayne left the "museum"a check in the mason jar "collections"in the lobby.
This check was for one million dollars...
Yeah,we liked "Duke"very,very much.He was given honary membership in SF(not bestowed lightly I can assure you.)
His final contribution;He donated the cancer clinic (John Wayne Cancer Clinic,Santa Monica,Calif.)to the community.A splendid facility for treating cancer patients(my brother in law was treated there before his death.)
There is no shame attached to this man.Many people who have served in the military,including those influential,could not hold a candle to "Duke."
Another person of great love and respect was the actress Martha Raye(fondly called "Maggie"by the SF.)
A former nurse Maggie often visited the SF teams in-country.She had more "combat time"than many soldiers.She could drink most guys under the table too!
Her usual greeting to teams when hopping off a chopper was "How ya doin"mother-------?"
She attended many wounded in base camps under fire.She loved those guys.Even had a guest house at her Hollywood mansion especially for SF guys on layovers in Los Angeles.
At her funeral proudly and sadly stood a SF honor guard...
I'd like to comment:
During the Vietnam War John Wayne was almost ALONE in his support of the troops fighting that conflict.His movie "Green Berets" was the scene of fist fights at theatres across the country.The "friends of Uncle Ho"did their level best to stop its showing across America.
Movie stars today jumping on the bandwagon of support for the recent war are no comparison to what Wayne willingly did.It cost him dearly too.He was blacklisted for years by(who else)Hollywood for speaking up.
By the way,he had a passle of kids which rightfully gave him an honorable exemption from service.
Wayne visited with the Special Forces at Ft.Bragg to learn something about them before making his movie.Later,he visited with SF A-teams in-country(Vietnam)and I'm not talking about the air conditioned facilities of rear echelon.He participated in the(ugh!)Montaignard SF initiation rites which involve the drinking of really foul alcohol and whatever else.He was given the Montaignard bracelets(made from mortar shell wrappings)which he wore the rest of his life.You can see him wearing these prized bracelets in every post Vietnam film he made.
Part of the "Green Berets"was filmed at Ft.Benning.There Wayne contributed the "village"and "base camp"in his film to the U.S.Army-for training facilities.They were used for many years.
But the fondest thought of this generous man was when he visited the J.F.K.Special Warfare Museum(then a fledgling concern.)
This facility was supported almost entirely on "bake sales"and other non-Pentagon financed contributions by the girlfriends and wives of 5th.and 7th.SF Group men.SF was unpopular in those days with the hide-bound regular army types.
Wayne left the "museum"a check in the mason jar "collections"in the lobby.
This check was for one million dollars...
Yeah,we liked "Duke"very,very much.He was given honary membership in SF(not bestowed lightly I can assure you.)
His final contribution;He donated the cancer clinic (John Wayne Cancer Clinic,Santa Monica,Calif.)to the community.A splendid facility for treating cancer patients(my brother in law was treated there before his death.)
There is no shame attached to this man.Many people who have served in the military,including those influential,could not hold a candle to "Duke."
Another person of great love and respect was the actress Martha Raye(fondly called "Maggie"by the SF.)
A former nurse Maggie often visited the SF teams in-country.She had more "combat time"than many soldiers.She could drink most guys under the table too!
Her usual greeting to teams when hopping off a chopper was "How ya doin"mother-------?"
She attended many wounded in base camps under fire.She loved those guys.Even had a guest house at her Hollywood mansion especially for SF guys on layovers in Los Angeles.
At her funeral proudly and sadly stood a SF honor guard...
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