In the early fifties with my cousin Bobby I met Smokey at the Washington National Zoo. At the time he wasn't wearing jeans or a forest ranger hat, and was not walking on two feet. We met the real four legged Smokey who was a valuable resident at the zoo for over 25 years. At the time of our visit he lived and paced a small barred cage with a tiny pool of water cut into the cement floor. I half expected that he might talk, but he only paced and occasionally sniffed at bits of fruit.
The fictional Smokey was created in 1944 as a government mascot to warn against the dangers of forest fires. The real Smokey was a rescue bear from a New Mexico forest fire in 1950. He was briefly called "Hotfoot Teddy" before stardom gave him his permanent name. In time he had a wife bear named Goldie Bear and an adopted son named Little Smokey. When Smokey died in 1976 a Washington Post obituary was posted. His remains were returned to Captain, New Mexico in what is now Smokey Bear Historical Park.
Meeting Smokey was a big deal to a couple of six year old boys. Bobby and I waited with hundreds of other kids to get our chance to see the brave little bear that had scaled a tree to escape burning. He really sustained some burns and needed to be nursed back to health. At the time, I ranked meeting Smokey as a celebrity encounter just as important as meeting Santa Claus. While time has diminished the fantasies of Santa, Easter Bunny, and the Tooth Fairy, I will always believe in Smokey because I met the real deal bruin at the National Zoo a long time ago.
Whenever I see a Smokey Bear sign or Public Service Announcement it brings back fond childhood memories of the real Mr. S. Bear.
The fictional Smokey was created in 1944 as a government mascot to warn against the dangers of forest fires. The real Smokey was a rescue bear from a New Mexico forest fire in 1950. He was briefly called "Hotfoot Teddy" before stardom gave him his permanent name. In time he had a wife bear named Goldie Bear and an adopted son named Little Smokey. When Smokey died in 1976 a Washington Post obituary was posted. His remains were returned to Captain, New Mexico in what is now Smokey Bear Historical Park.
Meeting Smokey was a big deal to a couple of six year old boys. Bobby and I waited with hundreds of other kids to get our chance to see the brave little bear that had scaled a tree to escape burning. He really sustained some burns and needed to be nursed back to health. At the time, I ranked meeting Smokey as a celebrity encounter just as important as meeting Santa Claus. While time has diminished the fantasies of Santa, Easter Bunny, and the Tooth Fairy, I will always believe in Smokey because I met the real deal bruin at the National Zoo a long time ago.
Whenever I see a Smokey Bear sign or Public Service Announcement it brings back fond childhood memories of the real Mr. S. Bear.
Happy Birthday Smokey and remember California, only you can …… !
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