John Wayne Dedication
May 13, 1998
WASHINGTON, D.C., The Mall - The U.S. Army, along with the
U.S.O./Washington Region, dedicated the 2nd prototype of the newest
multi-million dollar weapon in our defense arsenal. Or, was it in
the billions?
The Comanche RAH-66, covered
by a white tent lest it get wet before its first flight!, was
uncovered last night by Country Western singer Garth Brooks, a
long-time John Wayne fan, while one four-star general, other two to
three-star generals, the Senate Majority Leader, the House Majority
Leader, the oldest living Republican Strom Thurmond, the interim
Secretary of the Army, a dozen members of John Wayne's family led by
his oldest son Michael, the Honor Guard of the "President's
Own," and maybe a hundred invited guests and reporters stood
and sat under the edge of the tent and in the rain.
Michael "Morrison"
Wayne, The Duke's oldest son, accepted the dedication plaque from
Senator Strom Thurmond, who arrived with help from the Senate floor,
and returned therewith immediately for ongoing debate and possible
vote.
Three members of the
Mid-Atlantic Region of Clan Morrison Society of North America braved
the rain to attend and show the support of the Clan for the members
of John Wayne's family in attendance, and to the Duke--who couldn't
make it.
As James Morrison and myself
were waiting for Keith Jodoin to arrive, we were ushered over to
Michael Wayne to be introduced. He had been told on Friday that we
were inquiring about attending the ceremonies and his response was
spontaneously supportive, we were told. As we met him, it seemed not
to be an exaggeration.
Michael Wayne shook our hands,
backed up to better see the Morrison Modern Red and the Morrison
Ancient Green kilts being worn by James and myself. He pointed at
the green and said he wished he had brought his! The Duke's other
sons, Nathan and Ethan, a beautiful daughter, Marisa, a grandson,
and other relatives/fiancees, etc., were all instructed by Michael
to look at their Morrison plaids.
Michael Wayne also told us
that his father had never officially changed his name from Marion
Michael Morrison to John Wayne. Time and usage had done it for him.
He lived and died a Morrison!
Both of The Duke's wives were
there and both wanted to see the Morrison plaids. They certainly
knew about their connection to the Clan, and Michael clearly has
done research on his own. The family members could not have been
warmer, more inviting, or more down-to-earth. Refreshing to see in
the family of someone as famous as John Wayne, or that is ... Marion
Michael Morrison, of Iowa.
Keith Jodoin arrived with
Marnie Greene, his fiancee, equiped with camera and the skills of
photography. I gave Michael Wayne a Clan Morrison
Society/Mid-Atlantic Region souvenir packet with all of our
wonderful handouts, and calendar of events. Included in the packet
is, of course, a Clan Morrison Society of North America brochure
with application form, and an update insert with the newly elected
officers and their addresses.
Marnie took many photos
of the ceremonies, of Michael standing amongst the three Morrison
kilts, and maybe of the helicopter. But certainly of Garth Brooks as
he was mobbed by the crowd after the ceremonies.
Despite the rain and the
logistics of yet another event where we couldn't let the Morrison
colors NOT be seen!, I must admit that I'm very glad our regional
members are on the lookout for this kind of activity so that we can
show our Morrison Pride.
Thanks to Charlie Morrison of
Vienna, VA, for noticing the article in last week's Washington Post,
and to James Morrison of Alexandria, VA, for rattling my cage until
I agreed to show up. Keith Jodoin needed no such encouragement. He
and Marnie were READY!
Unfortunately it was a
last-minute affair. Hopefully next time we'll all have earlier
notice and more Morrisons will be able to rally to the call of the
pipes.
Respectfully reported,
Stuart L. Morrison Stone,
Mid-Atlantic Region Clan Morrison Society of North America
For more information please visit there
web site at: http://www.clanmorrison.org/
