Patrick Wayne Swayze was born on August 18, 1952, in Houston, Texas. His first major motion picture was Skatetown, U.S.A. in 1979 with Mark Hamill, whom you may remember as Luke Skywalker from the original Star Wars trilogy. Skatetown, U.S.A. was a cinematic masterpiece and soon led to a string of blockbuster epics such as The Outsiders, Red Dawn, Tiger Warsaw, and of course, Dirty Dancing. No one in modern time has come close to matching Swayze’s versatility and depth as an actor. His mother, Patsy Kearns Swayze, ensured that he was schooled in many forms of dance, as she herself is a choreographer. He was also a decorated gymnast and a nude model, which has led to Patrick having over six knee surgeries thus far. He has suffered for his craft. Patrick gives undoubtedly his greatest performance in Red Dawn, a cold-war cautionary tale that presents us not with a rosy alternative past, but with an ominous vision of the future. It was the first movie to ever receive the PG-13 rating. This was the first of many attempts by the industry to compromise Mr. Swayze’s artistic integrity and prevent his genius from captivating the masses. You see Patrick’s devotion to his art has many meandering tributaries. You may recall his unforgettable vocal performance of “She’s Like the Wind” from the Dirty Dancing soundtrack. I personally get chills when Patrick pines, “She’s out of my league!” It is a disgrace that he was never nominated in the U.S. for any award recognizing his contribution to music. It sickens me to think that we live in a world that will embrace Jennifer Love Hewitt and John Mayer, or Dave Matthews Lite (Same taste, less filling), but fails to even recognize the brilliance of a man who single-handedly changed the way we think about wind and trees as a metaphor for wanting the unattainable. I’m sick right now over it. How much can one man give and continue to be overlooked? Just when you think he had given all he can give, he gave us Black Dog with Meat Loaf. C’mon, we’ve all been there. Tell me I’m wrong. Why is it that this mega-superstar can headline hit after hit and walk away with only three lousy Golden Globe nominations to his credit? I think you’ll agree that there is more here than meets the eye. Someone out there does not want the world to understand the power of Patrick Swayze. Perhaps out of fear? For what would a world with a self-actualized Swayze look like? The industry hates Patrick Swayze because they fear him. And rightly so.

I think it’s time. Time for Patrick Swayze to get the credit he deserves. I know you may be saying to yourself, “What can I possibly do to right this terrible wrong.” I’ll tell you. You may pronounce, to all the world, words that will forever stand as undaunted testimony to the glory of Patrick Swayze. You may unleash your indomitable speech upon the brainwashed masses and let them know that the calculated, anti-Swayze campaign is nothing more than poppycock manufactured by lesser men with fearful hearts. I implore you. Tell the world what we enlightened ones already know. Knowledge will be the greatest gift that you could give. Please. If you won’t do it for me, please, think of the children, the children who will never understand the real and serious threat of Russian invasion as depicted in Red Dawn. I consider you all friends, and I know you’ll do the right thing. Thank you for listening. My hope lies in you and others like you who are true to our cause. God bless America. God bless Patrick Swayze.