Volume 6 , Issue 26

Smokey's Rescuers...

" Well, I am TOTALLY embarrassed and dumbfounded!  Just like I thought and said, 'I only remember daddy showing us the picture and telling us about the poor cub but I was only about 3 then (born in 1947) so the memory isn't all that great.'
      The picture and article I sent to you about my dad and Smokey the Bear was apparently NOT true (so I've just discovered)! The picture of my father with Smokey the Bear was NOT taken because my father helped fly the little cub to medical care but was merely a photo opp after the bear recovered enough to go on a promotional tour as 'Smokey the Bear'!  I must admit it was quite a shock to me after all these years but ... glad the real rescuers are being recognized! I sent the article and the question to my brother. He responded: 'He (meaning our father) had nothing to do with it.  He was at an airport in the Howard (type of plane) and the forestry service was doing a promotional visit with Smokey.  The bear just signed an autograph by posing on the plane.'
     Soooo, I apologize profusely to you, the readers, and the Bell's for unintentionally REALLY clobbering this!  I THOUGHT my mother told me my dad was part of the rescue but... guess the 3 year old brain is pretty inventive, huh?  Thank you very much for bringing this to my attention and this was a very interesting article!  Heck, I would have gone to my grave believing my dad had had something to do with it - but sure glad this has been clarified.
     I congratulate all of the 'real' rescuers and the caretakers of this wonderful bear and give my humblest apologies to you all! Thanks again." -- Karel   |  View or Add Comments (0 Comments)   |   Receive updates ( subscribers)  |   Unsubscribe

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