Okay, so I gotta tell you about this little adventure I had the other day. I’m a huge John Wayne fan, right? The Duke, the legend. I’ve seen all his movies, even the cheesy ones. So, I decided it was time to pay my respects to the man himself. I did a little digging online and found out he’s buried over at the Pacific View Memorial Park in Corona del Mar. Not too far from me, so I hopped in my car and made the trip.
It’s a really pretty place, overlooking the ocean. You can see why he chose it. I wandered around for a bit, enjoying the scenery, and finally found the spot. Now, here’s the thing – I read online that his grave was unmarked for a long time, like, over 20 years! Can you believe it? Apparently, his family wanted to keep it private, you know, to give him some peace and quiet even after he was gone. They didn’t want fans trampling all over it. I can respect that, but it does make it a little tricky to find.
Eventually, I spotted this simple bronze plaque nestled in the grass. It’s got his name, the dates, and a quote from one of his interviews. Not the Spanish one I was expecting though. I heard he wanted “Feo, Fuerte y Formal” – which means “ugly, strong, and dignified” – put on there, which is so John Wayne. Instead, they kept it pretty simple, but it’s still a powerful spot.
- First, I had to look up where he was buried.
- Then, I drove over to the cemetery.
- After that, I spent some time searching for his grave.
- Finally, I found the marker and took a moment to remember the Duke.
You know, standing there, I couldn’t help but think about all his movies. He was such a big star, playing all those tough guys, cowboys, and soldiers. And to think, he wanted to serve in World War II, but they wouldn’t let him because of his age and some injuries. He felt bad about it, but he did his part by supporting the troops and making movies that boosted morale. He had a pretty good relationship with John Ford too, they made a ton of movies together.
There were a few other people there, other fans, I guess. We didn’t really talk, but there was this shared understanding, you know? We were all there to pay our respects to this larger-than-life figure, who, in the end, was just a man, wanting a peaceful resting place. I heard they put up a big statue of him, like 9 feet tall, by the airport, and even named two Sheriff’s helicopters after him: Duke I and Duke II. But honestly, this quiet spot in the grass felt more fitting.
My Experience
It was a good day. A little bit of a pilgrimage, I guess you could call it. If you’re a John Wayne fan, I definitely recommend making the trip. It’s a nice way to remember the man and his movies.
Just remember, respect the place. It’s a cemetery, after all, a place of peace. Be quiet, be respectful, and take a moment to appreciate the life and legacy of the Duke. He was one of a kind.
