-So that?
—For a school.
It depends, a 16mm one might cost $300.
—Get one of the best quality and get copies of 10 of my films. The best ones. Stagecoach . Red River . She Wore a Yellow Ribbon . Fort Apache . Rio Grande . The best for teaching.
—Duke… what is this for?
—For a school in Montana.
—Did they ask for it?
—No, but they need it.
Wayne signs a check for $500, made payable to the school.
No name, just the Montana school, Margaret’s class.
Then she sits down and writes a letter. A letter for everyone: for the teacher and for all the students together. She writes for an hour, crosses out lines, starts again, until it finally looks right.
“Dear Margaret and students, thank you for your letter. I am honored that you study my films, more than you can imagine. You asked me for advice on teaching values. This is what I believe. Courage is not the absence of fear. It is doing the right thing even when you are afraid.”
Honor is keeping your word even when no one is watching.
Being American means believing that everyone matters. Even people in small towns, far from anywhere.
