REMEMBER THEM

If you are able, save for them a place inside of you and one backward glance when you are leaving, for the places they can no longer go.

Be not ashamed to say you loved them, though you may or may not always have. Take what they have left and what they have taught you with their dying and keep it with your own.

And in that time when men decide and feel safe to call the war insane, take one moment to embrace those gentle heroes you left behind.

Written January 1, 1970 by Major Michael Davis O'Donnell
Dak To, South Vietnam

Recited by Tom Selleck upon receiving the 2009 TV Land Hero's Award for Magnum, P.I. An OGR gentle hero in his own rite and an accomplished actor who once again pulled unexpected audience emotion, uncontrollable tears and unbounded patriotism.

Though he insisted he is not worthy of that same category as there are others more deserving, he was proud that the Smithsonian recognized Magnum, P.I. as the first series to portray the Vietnam Vet in a positive light. " Now in today's world our vets are treated with respect and we know it wasn't always that way."

His real life crusade is the "Wall that Heals", part of the Vietnam War Memorial, a 45-foot aluminum trailer that travels across the country to people who may not have the opportunity to visit the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington.

Actor Tom Selleck, left, attends an event unveiling a traveling exhibit called "The Wall That Heals", part of the traveling Vietnam Veterans Memorial and Museum, in Washington, Thursday, March 26, 2009. At right is U.S. Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Nick Adams, 21. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin).

This Memorial Day take a quiet time to reflect on our friends and family who served, returned or proudly remember as the "gentle heroes you left behind".

Rock Geriatrics

A Number or State of Mind?

Dion DiMucci enjoyed a string of early ‘50s/’60’s hits. “A Teenager in Love” (with the Belmonts), and “Runaround Sue” or “The Wanderer”, and still is recording and playing over 30 shows a year and says he’s happier than ever.
“What are you kidding?” says Dion who turns 70 in July. “You have more experience. My voice is much better, I play better. You enjoy it more. You’re more in the moment. Free abandon in the moment, that’s what it’s all about. That’s rock’n’roll.”



Rocks biggest names are older and if you look at the ones who demand the highest prices its groups and singers that date back to the ‘60’s and 70’s. Six of last year’s top 10 grossing tours were headlined by 50 and older acts. Madonna, the Eagles, Springsteen and the E Street Band, Neil Diamond, the Police and Tina Turner.

Many famous names are testing the age limits of rock and the concert circuits.

The likes of Elton John, 62, pairing with Billy Joel, 60.

Neil Young, 63, releasing a jagged rock album or Bob Dylan, 68, and the recent No. 1 hit album, “Together Through Life”, tours with Willie Nelson, 76.

Or....

Pete Townshend, 63, who wrote the lyric “I hope I die before I get old”, is still touring,

Mick Jagger, who turns 66 in July, “I’d rather be dead than singing ‘Satisfaction’ when I’m 45" has coveted an extra 20 years and several world tours,

Mike Love, 68, still sings “Be True to your School” at The Beach Boys' endless concert tours,

Paul McCartney, 67 in June, recently performed a 2-1/2 hour set at the Coachella festival and released “Electric Arguments” CD,

Bruce Springsteen, 60 in Sept., recently played to a sold out crowd in Chicago, proves they still have what it takes to please the OGR-ers.






One noted exception, Robert Plant, 60, shot down a Led Zeppelin reunion for fear fans would be disappointed and “the comparisons to something that was basically fired by youth and a different kind of exuberance…it’s very hard to go back and meet that head on and do it justice.”


OGR-er's recognize Elton John’s voice is deeper than it was in his 70’s heyday, and Aretha Franklin’s thinner, raspier voice may be attributed to smoking and weight.
But Tony Bennett’s classic voice is richer, and Nancy Wilson’ still sound true to hers in the ‘60’s.

That’s Rock-n-Roll…
Eric Clapton, 64
Tina Turner, 69









Billy Joel, 60









So Winnie says, stay tuned to OGR for more trips down memory lane. Music for the '50s, 60's and 70's, that's ages, not years. Ciao for now!!!

The Quotables

Special thanks to OGR's DJ Glee, my "roving reporter", for supplying these hilarious quotes. Laughter is the best medicine for any generation.

Sometimes, when I look at my children, I say to myself, 'Lillian, you should have remained a virgin.'
- Lillian Carter (mother of Jimmy Carter)
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I had a rose named after me and I was very flattered. But I was not pleased to read the description in the catalogue: - 'No good in a bed, but fine against a wall.'
- Eleanor Roosevelt
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Last week, I stated this woman was the ugliest woman I had ever seen. I have since been visited by her sister, and now wish to withdraw that statement.
- Mark Twain
Be careful about reading health books. You may die of a misprint.
- Mark Twain

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The secret of a good sermon is to have a good beginning and a good ending; and to have the two as close together as possible.
- George Burns
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Santa Claus has the right idea. Visit people only once a year.
- Victor Borge
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By all means, marry. If you get a good wife, you'll become happy; if you get a bad one, you'll become a philosopher.
- Socrates
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I was married by a judge. I should have asked for a jury.
- Groucho Marx

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My wife has a slight impediment in her speech. Every now and then she stops to breathe.
- Jimmy Durante
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I have never hated a man enough to give his diamonds back.
- Zsa Zsa Gabor
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Only Irish coffee provides in a single glass all four essential food groups: alcohol, caffeine, sugar and fat.
- Alex Levine
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My luck is so bad that if I bought a cemetery, people would stop dying.
- Rodney Dangerfield
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Money can't buy you happiness ... But it does bring you a more pleasant form of misery.
- Spike Milligan
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Until I was thirteen, I thought my name was SHUT UP .
- Joe Namath
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I don't feel old.. I don't feel anything until noon. Then it's time for my nap.
- Bob Hope
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I never drink water because of the disgusting things that fish do in it
- W. C. Fields
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We could certainly slow the aging process down if it had to work its way through Congress.
- Will Rogers
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Don't worry about avoiding temptation. As you grow older, it will avoid you.
- Winston Churchill
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Maybe it's true that life begins at fifty .. But everything else starts to wear out, fall out, or spread out.
- Phyllis Diller
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By the time a man is wise enough to watch his step, he's too old to go anywhere.
- Billy Crystal
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And the cardiologist's diet: - If it tastes good spit it out.

"See you on the radio." Ciao for now!!





Winnie