We watched TR: An American Lion on The History Channel on Jan. 20 and 21 to see our friends in Oyster Bay in the show and learn more about our great 26th President of the United States, Theodore Roosevelt.

It was interesting to see how they wove the life of TR around the story they were telling: that TR lifted the presidency to new heights, giving the office more power and how he made the United States more of a presence on the world scene.

The voice-overs by actor Richard Dryfuss were excellent and will enrich our appreciation of TR. We missed hearing our local TR impersonator James Foote, but enjoyed the way he was shown rowing in Oyster Bay Harbor during all the segment introductions. Mr. Foote will remain "Our TR" in spite of our appreciation of Mr. Dryfuss.

As for the film, there was not enough footage shown of our local people involved to satisfy us. We need a longer version, with all the footage that the director cut for a smooth video to be put back in place for our pleasure. Still, congratulations to all those who took part in TR: An American Lion. It is something you will always remember and cherish, and something for those of us who only listened and watched to keep tucked away in our memories.

Theodore Roosevelt was a many faceted personality and the more we learn of him the more respect he engenders in us.

-DFK