Elvis - A Lighted Candle

[Rainbow Light]

Elvis liked this famous speech and had a framed copy of it hanging in his private office upstairs at Graceland.

It is not the critic who counts, not the man who points out how the strong man tumbled, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better, The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena; whose face is marred by dust, sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs and comes short again and again; who knows the great enthusiasms, the great devotions and spends himself in a worthy cause; who at the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement, and who at the worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that his face shall never be with those cold and timid souls who know either victory or defeat

Theodore Roosevelt

[maia]

So true!

[Wanda June Hill]

Hi, I had not read that in so long a time, but I know Elvis admired Roosevelt very much-his father and some of his relatives worked the WPA when he was very small and they (his parents and relatives) talked of Roosevelt and young Elvis admired him, respected him and read about him-I think some of the use of Eagles on his suits came from that reading and his great admiration for America and all it stands for too. I didn't know he had that in his office, but I can understand that he would. It would appeal to him in more than what it says and I think he strived for those things his whole life. I got to hear a song he performed when he was not yet 19 years old for the first time the other day-he was so young, yet you could hear the future Elvis voice here and there in it.
He was just a baby-and it almost made me cry to think of how young he was then and that's when it all began to happen for him. It was a song Sam Phillips wanted him to record but I guess it didn't work out then and wasn't released. I don't think Elvis ever did record it either, at least not for release. He mentioned it in talking (interview) and I think he called it "wasted love" but that's not the title the dj gave it and now I can't recall it. It was an old ballad. I am so looking forward to going back to Graceland now that so much more is open and out to see. People have said that his voice is on the recordings people can listen to in different rooms-I'm curious to see if I recall any of what's said???? those tapes should all be there someplace. I can't believe he would have thrown them away or erased them...but you never know. Maybe someone else has them???? I sure wish they would show up. WJh

[Rainbow Light]

Had heard and read how patriotic a man Elvis was and how right too! I've been to the States a fair few times, not just Tupelo/Memphis; Los Angeles; Las Vegas; San Francisco. But have always loved America and the people, great country!! Less than a week after I got back from Memphis last year, 'Hurricane Katrina' hit New Orleans and it was just a shock, seeing on the news etc, all the people - never forget it. With the level of humidity in the South and all those folks not being able to get to clean water etc. Very sad and I know Elvis, had he still been here with us would've gone all out to help in ANY way he could have!!!

As for all these songs, tapes etc - yeah, I sure do hope they find all of them. Must be there somewhere! Would be excellent if they do surface at some time - yea, well we can hope to dream! Mind you, like 'Lost Performances' video of '92, they could equally be down some salt mines in Kansas, hey I'd be a rescue volunteer if it came to that, ha!