Thoughts for the Fourth

Last month at the National Cowboy Museum in Oklahoma City, I saw statues of three iconic patriots, topics suitable for the Fourth of July.

First, to set things in context. Upon entering the Cowboy Museum you see a giant sculpture – “The End of the Trail,” from the Pan Pacific Exposition in San Francisco in 1915. 

This image of an Indian on his exhausted horse, defeated, head drooping and lance pointed down, was on the covers of our notebooks in grade school, so many years ago. Remember, old timers? Alabaster in the sunlight, it was the most impressive part of the Museum. 

And the patriots – there they were, large bronze images of John Wayne, Ronald Reagan and Charlton Heston, each dressed as a cowboy. Each of them did so much to promote America through their films. In western/action movies they gave the world, and ourselves, images of American courage under fire. They portrayed strong-willed, determined patriots. And each was a public servant, in his own way.

 

(Charlton Heston actually did military service in WWII, a sergeant in the Army Air Corps. The other two received deferments).

 

I asked the Museum guide, “Where’s the statue of Will Rogers?”

 

Don’t have one. Wouldn’t fit in. in He has his own museum. In Claremore.

How about Woody Guthrie? You know, This Land is Your Land?

No. No statue here.

 

Look, patriotism is about more than statues. We each love our country and defend it. We argue long and loud about our future direction, about guns and taxes, marriage and education. We sing about our land (with Guthrie) and laugh at our government (with Will Rogers). But when the chips are down, we’re all Americans and proud of it. And we celebrate America on the Fourth of July.

Do I sound preachy. Well, hooray! It’s my blog, ain’t it?

 

No, it’s not the End of the Trail. Not for us.

 

Dac

July 3, 2009

 

“Ninety percent of politicians give the other ten percent a bad name.” – Henry Kissinger.

Comments

[EJ]

Dac, I remember those tablet covers with the Indian and horse. Guess I'm and old timer.

[Alan]

only the two you mentioned who were at least committed to the potential of the US don't have sculptures. The other 3 "played" patriots.

[Art]

Good thoughts, Dac. Especially meaningful to me today after fielding a phone call this morning from a long-time friend who's become convinced that this country has totally lost its way under Obama's administration. Any sense of patriotic common cause had vanished in this guy, one of the kindest most generous people I've ever met. Sad.

[Janice Pulliam]

Dac, I just put your blog on my Google homepage. Now it's much easier to go there any time I want.
Janice

[mary]

well, I read this out loud to bud and challenged him to guess the three cowboys - "think far right" I said, and he guessed all three!

[Irene]

Didn't Henry get his percentages backwards? This is our holiday and will be long into the future.

[Genie Smith Bernstein]

I grew up using "Blue Horse" notebooks, but all I remember is a horses head on those.