The Lone Ranger is dead!
Well, truthfully, the Lone Ranger will never die. However, Clayton Moore, whose alter ego the Lone Ranger became, passed away on Tuesday, 28 December 1999, at the age of 85.
No, Moore was not a relative. He was just my childhood hero. His theme, The William Tell Overture, birthed my love of classical music. His faithful Indian companion Tonto taught me tolerance for cultures not my own. And, Silver - his "fiery horse with the speed of light" - was the horse I always wanted but never got.
The Lone Ranger and Tonto brought law and order throughout the American West and made my little part of the world a safer place in the process. Without a doubt, I knew I would always want to wear "a white hat."
The Lone Ranger Creed - according to Clayton Moore - is in part a prayer and in part a set of beliefs - inspiring resolutions for a new Century and a new Millennium. And, so, I offer them here - restated as my hope for the year 2000 and for all the years to come.
TO have a friend, a man must be one.
ALL men are created equal. Everyone has within himself the power to make this a better world.
GOD put the firewood here, but every man must gather and light it himself.
BE prepared physically, mentally, and morally to fight when necessary for that which is right.
A man should make the most of what equipment he has.
THIS government - of the people, by the people, for the people - shall live always.
SOONER or later, somewhere, somehow, we must settle with the world and make payment for what we have taken.
ALL things change, but truth, and truth alone, lives on forever.
BELIEVE in your creator, your country, and your fellow man.
HAPPY NEW YEAR! HI-YO, SILVER - AWAY!
February 2000
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