Happy [belated] 65th birthday, Smokey Bear

The Examiner ^ | August 9 2009 | Thomas McAdam

[Daffynition]

Today the nation celebrates the 65th birthday of one of our most beloved protectors: Smokey Bear, the guardian of our forests. Dressed in a ranger's hat, belted blue jeans, and carrying a shovel, he has been America’s forest fire prevention symbol, since his debut in 1944. Today, he is one of the most famous advertising symbols in the world and is protected by Federal Law. He has his own private zip code, his own legal council, and his own private committee to insure that his name is used properly. Smokey Bear is much more than a make-believe paper image; he exists as an actual symbol of forest fire prevention.

Kentucky’s Governor Steve Beshear, along with the Kentucky Division of Forestry (KDF) and Daniel Boone National Forest (DBNF), are recognizing Smokey today. The governor officially proclaimed Sunday, August 9, 2009 as Smokey Bear Day in Kentucky in an effort to celebrate Smokey Bear’s 65th birthday and provide critical information about wildfire prevention.

[snip]

[Dusty Road]

His real name was Smokey Bear.

[Daffynition]

Classics! Thanks again!

[Dusty Road]

Correction, his real name was Smokey.

[ETL]

You're welcome. Thanks for posting the thread.

A candleless birthday cake.

1984

http://www.smokeybear.com/vault/trails.asp?id=1980

[ETL]

http://www.smokeybear.com/vault/trails.asp?id=2000

[Venturer]

Perhaps it is, but a zoo without animals is not a zoo.

Your memories of the National zoo differ from mine. I was a kid who went a couple of times a year. They had animals of every kind ,some of which amazed me as a kid. Herds of Zebra, Wildebeests,they had Prairie dogs, Panthers and white Tigers.

Perhaps you are right , Kids can see these animals on a video tape now, they dont need to see the real thing. I guess the animals they do have left over there will just be allowed to go as they die off. Probably all for the best.I do know I wont be going there again , but if you like to hike and climb a large hill and be ripped off by high price concessions, give it a shot. There are a couple of elephants left, and an old mangy male lion. LOL

There are a few more animals left there, but not enough to make it worthwhile paying the 20 buck parking fee and traipsing that hill with two Grandkids in tow.

[Daffynition]

According to this, his first name was "Hotfoot." ;)

[Daffynition]

[Daffynition]

[ETL]

I’ve heard those six-legged headless grizzlies are extremely rare in some parts.

:)

[PowderMonkey]

You are correct. A zoo without animals is no zoo. My visits to the National Zoo obviously predated yours. I spent many years in direct contact with animals in the wild. A good many of them in Central America and on the African continent. And so, though it's been over 50 years, I still choke up at the memory of first entering the National Zoo's “Elephant House” and setting eyes on a heartbreaking sight: “Jimbo” the resident African elephant. He was confined in that concrete block house. He was chained and staked by one leg to a corner of the room. The old tusker had long since been driven mad by his confinement, and spent his days ceaselessly rocking, and shifting his weight from one side to another. Despite improvements, like yourself I refuse to go back for the reasons you cited. It's a overly-priced rip off, and you can't even drive across the old ford of the artifical stream they once had there (an early and very lame attempt at a “Safari” theme park). It's not what I would consider a "National" zoo at all.

[dfwgator]

I wish I could find the Far Side cartoon with Smokey blindfolded blowing out the candles that look like little trees, and saying “Can I look now?”

[Venturer]

Many people dont get direct contact with wild animals. They dont get the opportunity to visit foreign countries and see exotic animals. The Nations zoos are the only opportunity they will get to see these animals.

I see your point in wanting animals to be free , it’s a great point , I also see a need for people to actually see these animals, so that when they are asked for funds to save their habitat so they know what kind of animals are being saved. It’s educational for kids to see these wondrous beasts. They wont get that opportunity any longer at the National zoo. That too is shameful.

[radiohead]

<I remember as a boy seeing Smokey during his brief stint at the National Zoo in Washington, DC

Me too! I still call him ‘Smokey the Bear.’ Screw the Park Service.

[PowderMonkey]

OK, everybody! Let's all sing that song we learned as kids. All together now...

Smokey the bear. Smokey the bear.
Prowlin' and a growlin' and a sniffin' the air.
He can spot a fire before it starts to flame.
That's why they call him 'Smokey.'
That is how he got his name.

Happy Birthday, big guy.