John Wayne was one of the most popular actors who ever strode across the silver screen. From his breakthrough role as the Ringo Kid in "Stagecoach" to his magnificent portrayal of Rooster Cogburn in "True Grit" late in life, he played characters who embodied basic values such as strength, courage, integrity, valor and patriotism.

And that's why Wayne rides shotgun with Rick "Town Marshal" Chester of Cedar Grove, N.C. Chester, 46, has decorated his 1994 Kenworth T600 with a portrait of "Duke" and named his single-truck company "American Legend Trucking."

"He was a true American, very patriotic, and that's the way I am, too," says Chester, a veteran of the Army and Navy and a former police officer.

"I really didn't get into what he was about until eight or 10 years ago," Chester adds. "I saw a documentary on him and heard some of his speeches and realized his views were the same as mine."

Chester, who is leased to Schneider National, started collecting Wayne memorabilia about five years ago. They include two Western hats, belt buckles and a leather-and-canvas vest in the no-button style Wayne often wore in films.

He also has more than 40 movies, a number of photos and a 6-foot-4 standup poster he bought in Tombstone, Ariz. The portraits on the truck were created by transferring a digitized photo to vinyl. His wife, Dorothy, has helped him find interesting items to add to the collection.

Perhaps the prize in the collection is a commemorative .32-40 rifle that bears Wayne's signature. It's fitted with a saddle ring lever and Chester has spent hours practicing his twirl-and-cock maneuver.

The rifle rests on a three-tiered gun rack above his living room fireplace, which holds much of his collection.

"I get a lot of compliments when I'm on the road. One guy called out on the CB, 'There goes John Wayne down the road! Now that is nice, you're a man after my own heart'," Chester said.