Reflecting on how I found this web site I took a minute to think what I have gained from finding it.

Number 1 was the joy of finding like minded fans with a similar interest in John Wayne and making contact and having a bit of banter and friendships through it:beer:

Number 2 was expanding my knowledge and information on areas about John Wayne and his films that I didnt know about or hadn't explored.:stunned:

Number 3 was developing an interest in films that JW made in 1940s that I had previously overlooked to a great extent.:ohmy:

Number 4 I am still on a learning curve it always seems something new is coming along

All in all enjoyable experiences and well worth finding this little haven:teeth_smile:


Mike

:thumbs_up: Most important of all, I have "met" many people here and become friends with many of them.

Secondly, the single greatest source on my all-time most favorite movie star.

Learning important things I can actually use in daily life.

Best regards--Carl.

You know, out of the 3100 plus posts I've made here. I have to say that the most important part of what I've gotten out of this site has to be the relationships I have developed here. I have picked up friends from California, Minnesota, Australia, Georgia, Texas, Ireland, England, Arizona, and many many other places.

We have a common bond here and that is John Wayne! I am a Duke fan, and admire his movies. He has been dead most of my life, but I feel he isn't gone.

The funny thing I remember from Duke before he died was at the 1979 Oscar's. He said, "Me and Oscar started together a long time ago and we have been through a whole lot, but we are going to be here for a long time." (not a direct quote) He died soon after that, and I thought that he didn't keep his word, but that's not true. He is still around in our hearts, and his movies and on this message board.

We talk about Duke as if he's still around. We get excited about an upcoming movie that John Wayne is in. We find personal quotes from him that has life experiences. When a new member comes on board, and I've seen a lot of them, I get excited all over again because that person discovers Duke as a newborn, and that puts a lump in my throat. When a movie or movies are released on video (DVD, etc.) it's like a world premiere coming out at a theater. When we read articles about Duke, it's like a fresh news story about him and we read with intensity or at least I do. When we see others envy, it just shows that he is still a factor in our lives. He is what makes life worth living. We do have some who invade our site to attack him, but we take them on and they soon leave never to return. I have learned so much here. I am challenged to find out more, and most of all, I am still amazed how this man operates. Agree or disagree, you know it's about Duke.

I don't know, but I can't think of anyone living or dead that has that kind of impact on us like John Wayne.

Cheers :cool: Mike a.k.a. Hondo Duke Lane

My first reaction as I read the posts here on this thread was one of being overwhelmed. Such beautiful sentiments from the heart. And I feel like I could not express it better myself. Then as I was TRYING to go to sleep, and as thoughts of situations in my life that painfully consume me flooded in, I thought of my friends here. And suddenly all of the pain and worry left and I was filled with the joy I have gained by the friendships I have made here. Then more thoughts came to me so I wanted to share them with all of you, as you have so eloquently done with the rest of us.

The world is in turmoil with depressing events taking place all around us. Each of us most likely has at least one major issue in our life that dominates our abilty to feel peace. Life feels so unstable, ever shifting, always in chaos. Feelings of gloom and impending doom prevail. More people than ever are turning against one another. The sense that there's no safe harbor, fills the deepest recesses of our souls.

I, for one, have endured so much at the very hands of those who were supposed to love and protect me. It is near impossible for me to trust, really trust, another human. Then a light shines forth out of my darkness. It is my love and trust of Duke beaconing me to his safe haven. Still I am cautious, life has taught me that, if nothing else. Yet, this light surrounds me as I am welcomed to a place I never dreamed existed. A place where Duke still lives and rules. A place where I can not only share my love for him, but, where I feel his love for me, too. All of my life I would have given all that I had to be a part of his life. And now through JWMB, I am....I have written before here, that he is not dead, he has only gone before us to get things ready for his people. I know he did not want to leave us, but, I know he is working just as hard where he is as he did when he was here, anxiously awaiting the day we will join him. He is watching over all those who love him. He is here at JWMB...All of what Hondo said is so true. Our common bond, our excitement over new members to share this great place with. Each time we watch Duke or speak of him, we can still feel the way things were in his world, his time, his America...as we long for the same in our time.

For the most part I can only share my opinions, all of you have the wonderful facts to be learned from. When I see how we come together for one another as DakotaSurfer has and Viper has for Ringo, it strengthens my belief in people, which is something I desperately need. And I can not think of a better group to have with me in my daily battles to endure to the end. Dakota is so good at reassuring me I am safe here from the crazies that prey on our boards. He is not old enough to be my father, but, he sure feels like the guardian angel, Michael.

For all of the love I have for Duke, it is the members here that bring him to life. And I want you all to know, from the bottom of my heart, I love you and care most deeply for you and your's...What I have gained in finding this place is priceless and a most precious treasure to me.

Cindy

Thanks Cindy!:glare: How the heck can anyone follow up a post like that? lol. Thanks for sharing that with us. I got kinda misty. You sure can write eloquently and with such emotion.

I have gained from this board a group of people that admire Duke as I do. As a fan of JOhn Wayne, I was all alone in my neck of the woods. Noone could understand why I liked Duke so much. Well, you all know without it having to be explained. I have learned so much from all the smart people here and continue to learn. It's what you learn after you know it all that counts :wink_smile: .

Mark

A feeling of comradeship I haven't felt since I got out of the Marine Corps.

As long as one of us draws a breath Duke lives, that's why our Heroes are immortal.

Thanks Cindy!:glare: How the heck can anyone follow up a post like that? lol. Thanks for sharing that with us. I got kinda misty. You sure can write eloquently and with such emotion.


Mark

I agree with our friend Mark, it says it all!

For all of the love I have for Duke, it is the members here that bring him to life. And I want you all to know, from the bottom of my heart, I love you and care most deeply for you and your's...What I have gained in finding this place is priceless and a most precious treasure to me.
Cindy
We love:wub: you too, Cindy! Thank you for your presence here.
Cheers - Jay:beer:

You have summed it up perfectly Cindy


Mike

We love:wub: you too, Cindy! Thank you for your presence here.
Cheers - Jay:beer:

That is a definate DITTO from my end too. :wink_smile:

i may not be able to say it a pretty as all you mob have done but i for one have met and enjoy friendships from all over the world with people who not only like but love the great man, they also accept me for who i am. there is no expectations placed on us who come here, the only exception to that we learned as ankle biters, be polite and respet your elders ( of may we have here ). i have learned many things from everyone, have had the green eyed monster come my way when i hear about what movies you mob can get and i can't. but on the whole this place is a fun place to visit and pass away the time reading the posts and sometimes having a word or two to say. we never call someone thick or stupid (even if you feel like it when you ask the question) we are a caring community of like minded people.

just my two cents worth
cheers smokey

Very well said Cindy and Smokey.

I also have learned new things about Duke, his life, movies, ect..

But like the rest of you, its the members here who make this what it is, sure Duke is the reason for being here but the members are the reason it is so great to be here!!

Thanks for making this site Kevin!!

The eloquence of everyone here is so inspiring. It is great that we can come together here to discuss, not only Duke, but any other subject, without consternation that we'll be chided for our viewpoints, but simply have discussions if there is any disagreement among us. It seems Duke has brought us together as a small family whose values are roughly the same as his and, as such, has bonded us all together as folks who have respect and caring for one another.
Cheers - Jay:beer:

Let's see . . . the ability to communicate just three words at a time :biggrin:.

Seriously, we can only repeat what all you folks have already said - a sense of family and comradeship with people from all around the world, only ONE of whom we have actually met face to face, yet we feel an amazing closeness.

We also have learned SO much about John Wayne that we never knew before. Friends ask questions, trying to stump us, and we almost always know the answer. That's from hanging around here.

We have a much greater appreciation for old movies, and have become familiar with so many actors and actresses, who we can actually recognize and name when we see them, who we first "met" in John Wayne movies.

But truly the thing that means the most are the friendships that have developed as a result of being here - PRICELESS!

Chester :newyear: and the Mrs. :angel1:

Chester, you said it better than I ever could. I ain't much for opening up, but here goes.

First and foremost, I have made a lot of friends here who love Duke and it has made me appreciate the classics even more. People round here have a tendency to keep up with what's happening today and forget about the past. I'm just the opposite, I have learned to enjoy what movies were made before I was born and I can't wait to see the next.

As a matter of fact, I grew up with no cable tv or satellite so I never got to experience Duke, basically, til I got out on my own. Since then, I really have an appreciation for Duke movies and his movies have gotten me to where I have learned to enjoy the classics. Ooooops, I rambled on a little bit more than I wanted too. Enjoy this post, cause this is the only time that the 12pak gets sensitive.:cry2:

Having been to other sites, I can honestly say that one of the things I especially appreciate about this site is the overall FRIENDLINESS here. Not that nobody never acts like a jerk - it happens sometimes. One of my favorite sayings is that NObody holds the monopoly on jerkdom, we all take turns. However, around here, those turns are few and far between, and that means a lot to me!

Visits to less friendly sites send me running back here to be with all of you again.

Thanks to EVERYBODY!

Mrs. C :angel1:

Hi

I must have missed this topic when it first came out, but catching up with it now it brings it home the eloquence and warmth of the people who are members of this board. I shouldn't say the people, I should say the wonderful people who make up this board, people who I will probably never meet or even speak to, but who share a warmth of feeling and who you wish you could meet and share these wonderful memories with.

Regards

Arthur

Well said Arthur. And if we don't meet in this life I am sure we will all meet in the next one. Then we can raise our glasses to Duke all together.

Hi all! Beautifully written Cindy!

This was the very first forum I ever visited. And, even though I have not been a member here for all that great length of time, I always get a feeling of being with family when I visit. There is so much knowledge here that I feel like a sponge trying to soak it all up. Besides gaining information and advise, I have had some gut splitting, side aching, tear flowing, laugh out loud fun! You guys and gals are the best town folk a girl could ask for.

John Wayne lives in the hearts and souls of each of us and we must show the new generations out there his powerful presence on the screen. To show them you do not have to have car chases, crashes, bombs, drugs, killings, gangs, profanity, fire, violence and all that other crap to be entertained. All you need is the raw talent of John Wayne.

Take Care!

I was trying to think of what to say that has not already been said by you people?
But Duke was a Real Man in All Ways, and many of you people were not even Born Yet when Duke was Still here.

When this Great Grandfather had Put Duke in the Far Past, I got a Call from a Man that Called Him Self Chester 7777 about 4 years ago and ask to join this Site, I did not know what to think ?

But I did join and what a Great time I have Had Talking about Duke and Reliving those Great Days of the past with all you Great John Wayne People, and not just because Duke was the Biggest Movie Star of All Time but also because He was a Real Person and Cared about People All over the World and was in the Position to Do Something about it !

I can not think of Anyone else that would be sitting with a Bunch of Local People from the Two little Towns Near the 26 Bar Ranch and a Bunch of just Plain Dirty Sweaty Cowboys in from working the Cattle, and the Phone would Ring.

And Some one would Yell Out " Duke It Is The President of The United States and He Wants To Talk To You!!!" Duke would say "How in the Hell did He find Me Here at the Ranch ?"

Then after Duke got though on the Phone would sit back down with Plan Folks Just Like You and I, and say "Now Where Were We?"

Thank You All For A Great Ride !
Chilibill
:cowboy:

To show them you do not have to have car chases, crashes, bombs, drugs, killings, gangs, profanity, fire, violence to be entertained. All you need is the raw talent of John Wayne.

Take Care!

Agreed but when these elements are within a John Wayne movie (as they often were) you know they are going to be tastefully projected.

:agent:

I know I already responded to this question, but, there's something else I'd like to add...

JWMB has given me a sense of belonging to something important. It connects me to a man, The Duke, who I have adored my entire life. It also gives me an opportunity to contribute to a worthy cause, the museum. I had considered getting my own brick, then, when I saw Kevin's message about us going in together, I was thrilled, to say the least. I believe our love for The Duke and the time in our lives that he became engrained in our souls, binds us in a way nothing else could. And now when I watch one of his movies, which I do quite often, I can't help but think of JWMB and my special friends here. This is sacred ground to me....And it is my sincere hope that we continue to grow and continue to work together in making the name and legend of The Duke to be forever held high among all people.

Cindy

Amazing facts an the opportunity to read other perspectives on JW. The chance to learn without fear of rude or judgemental responses.