Moments and missives from our world

January

09

2010

Wise men say…

Elvis Aaron Presley would have been 75 on Friday.

Simon Vega served in the army with music’s King in the 1950s, and has created Little Graceland, a mini museum at his Los Fresnos, Texas home to honor his friend.

Twice a year, Vega throws a party to commemorate Presley’s birth and death anniversaries, inviting Elvis impersonators from around South Texas.  ”I think about him every day, not just on anniversaries. I miss my friend.”
These images were made at celebrations in 2003 and 2004.

Visitors queue to enter Little Graceland during the birthday celebrations on Saturday afternoon.

6-year-old Sabrina Gonzalez poses for a photograph at Little Graceland outside of a miniature replica of the house that Elvis was born in Tupelo, Miss on Jan. 8, 1935.

Visitors walk through Little Graceland on Saturday afternoon, inspecting the Elvis memorabilia that Simon Vega has collected through the years.

Corpus Christi Elvis impersonator Danny Lee performs on Saturday evening at Little Graceland.

Joe Marquez, Rene Davis and Armin Naro gyrate on stage during Elvis Birthday celebrations at Little Graceland.

Simon Vega visits with a guest at his party celebrating Elvis' birthday on Saturday afternoon.

Delfina Aleman reacts to Joe Marquez during Elvis Fest at Little Graceland, Los Fresnos, Texas.

Mary Garza holds a plaque honoring her late husband Juan's service for his country at Little Graceland in Los Fresnos, Texas. Local familes who lost their loved ones in Iraq were recognized during Vega's bi-annual celebration for Elvis Presley.

Elvis impersonator Rene Davis places a scarf on Rima Sherman during Elvis Fest at Little Graceland, Los Fresnos, Texas.

Corpus Christi Elvis impersonator Danny Lee performs on Saturday evening at Little Graceland.

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