He was Clint Eastwood’s linguini-eating sidekick Detective DeGeorgio in the Dirty Harry film series, Ken Berry’s non-English speaking trooper Hoffenmueller on television’s F Troop, Charles Bronson’s nemesis in Breakhart Pass, and John Wayne’s adversary in Chisum and El Dorado. The younger brother of film star Robert Mitchum, this multi-talented artist was also a singer, guitar player, poet, and patriot, fusing these qualities to created the highly enjoyable duet folk album with friend and Bonanza star Dan Blocker, entitled “Our Land-Our Heritage”. Mitchum also collaborated with John Wayne for the popular record album “America, Why I Love Her”. The enormously popular title song was, in fact, penned by Mitchum. Although we lost dear ol’ John in 2001, his daughter, Cindy has worked endlessly with friends and the powers that be to institute Mitchum’s “America, Why I Love Her” as a national song for the U.S.A. As the song was getting closer and closer to becoming just that, Cindy Mitchum invited friends, fans and co-workers of father John to salute the beloved actor in the beautiful, rustic town of Nevada City, California. The Salute was quite eventful with special guests, Rusty Richards, Melody Patterson, Peter Breck, Ralph Taeger, and Kathy Garver in attendance. Live music entertainment and an outstanding steak dinner was included, plus a special viewing of a documentary short film on John Mitchum’s accomplishments that made him the great American patriot for which he will always be remembered. While the verdict concerning the song is not in as of this date, we wish the Mitchums all the luck in the world in seeing their vision become a reality. In the meantime, here are some of the shots taken by the illustrious Vern Miller at the recent Salute.