Several years ago I asked Brother Dennis H if he still had the picture that he
had told me about. Below is his response.
had told me about. Below is his response.
Good morning Brother Don,
Attached is the picture you were inquiring about.
Attached is the picture you were inquiring about.
1963 JOHN WAYNE VISITS WITH LAMAR CHAPTER SIGS
- Return To Ponder Memories
- HAPPY 60th EPSILON CHI
| To the Right of John Wayne is Bobby J., Butch H, To Left of John Wayne may be Scott B., Right Of Dennis is Jim P. |
Below is the story about Brother Wayne as told by Dennis
This picture was taken (I think) in the Fall of 1963 or early part of 1964 after the Epsilon Chi
chapter had gotten word that Brother Wayne was going to be there giving a speech for some guy
running for political office so we all decided to go down there in hopes of at least seeing him.
Well, needless to say, we did a lot more than just see him. When Brother Wayne found out that
the entire local chapter of Sigma Chi was in the back of the room he cut his speech short and
walked back to us and took us into a separate room where we could not be bothered by all the
crowds and reporters. He joked, laughed and talked with all of us for a good hour or so. It was a
an experience that none of us who were there that day will ever forget. John Wayne was one of
the nicest and most personable men I have ever had the pleasure of meeting. He truly loved
Sigma Chi and felt a sincere bond with all his Brothers across the country. He talked to us about
his days as an active at USC (Class of 1929) his football days in college, his early years in show
business, some of the experiences he had while making movies over the years and how he got
his first "big break" in movies with the 1939 movie - - Stagecoach. He was also sincerely
interested in how our Chapter at Lamar was doing and what we had been doing to uphold the
high standards of Sigma Chi. He was a great Sig, a great actor and a great American Patriot. I
am so glad that I somehow managed to save the attached picture for so many years.
This picture was taken (I think) in the Fall of 1963 or early part of 1964 after the Epsilon Chi
chapter had gotten word that Brother Wayne was going to be there giving a speech for some guy
running for political office so we all decided to go down there in hopes of at least seeing him.
Well, needless to say, we did a lot more than just see him. When Brother Wayne found out that
the entire local chapter of Sigma Chi was in the back of the room he cut his speech short and
walked back to us and took us into a separate room where we could not be bothered by all the
crowds and reporters. He joked, laughed and talked with all of us for a good hour or so. It was a
an experience that none of us who were there that day will ever forget. John Wayne was one of
the nicest and most personable men I have ever had the pleasure of meeting. He truly loved
Sigma Chi and felt a sincere bond with all his Brothers across the country. He talked to us about
his days as an active at USC (Class of 1929) his football days in college, his early years in show
business, some of the experiences he had while making movies over the years and how he got
his first "big break" in movies with the 1939 movie - - Stagecoach. He was also sincerely
interested in how our Chapter at Lamar was doing and what we had been doing to uphold the
high standards of Sigma Chi. He was a great Sig, a great actor and a great American Patriot. I
am so glad that I somehow managed to save the attached picture for so many years.
He was born Marion Robert Morrison on May 26, 1907 in Winterset Iowa. As a boy he had a huge
Airedale Terrier dog name Duke. People started calling him "Little Duke" because they were
inseparable. The name stuck for the rest of his life. He was awarded the Congressional Gold Medal
by the United States in May of 1979 and posthumously awarded the Presidential Medal of
Freedom in 1980. He made a total of 142 movies during his acting career.
Airedale Terrier dog name Duke. People started calling him "Little Duke" because they were
inseparable. The name stuck for the rest of his life. He was awarded the Congressional Gold Medal
by the United States in May of 1979 and posthumously awarded the Presidential Medal of
Freedom in 1980. He made a total of 142 movies during his acting career.
"Life is tough........it's even tougher if you're stupid"
Brother Dennis says:
"I will never forget when Brother Wayne entered the Chapter Eternal. It was June 11,
1979; which was the same day that my first son was born.
"ALL HONOR TO HIS NAME" John Wayne- An American Hero
In Hoc Signo Vinces,
Dennis H.
Epsilon Chi
"I will never forget when Brother Wayne entered the Chapter Eternal. It was June 11,
1979; which was the same day that my first son was born.
"ALL HONOR TO HIS NAME" John Wayne- An American Hero
In Hoc Signo Vinces,
Dennis H.
Epsilon Chi
Far Right is Dennis H., Next to Dennis is Jim P., to left of
Brother Wayne is Chuck P.
Brother Wayne is Chuck P.