Son Jon & Smokey Bear

Today, August 9, 2019, has been acknowledged by the USDA and the Forest Service to be Smokey Bear's 75th Birthday,  This message was sent to me by our youngest son Jon who has been familiar with the USDA Headquarters in Washington, DC. Jon was 7 years old when I was transferred to the DC Office of SCS back in 1962. He was very familiar with the Smokey Bear Story with the fellows who rescued the little Bear officed  across the hall from Elaine and Rudy Wendlin's office nearby. Rudy was the Public Information Officer who promoted Smokey's popularity. Jon has been back to USDA Headquarters in his own right since 1996. Here is what Jon sent to us:

"Today is Smokey’s 75^th birthday. Many years ago, a small bear cub was rescued by USFS firefighters, fighting a major forest fire in New Mexico. He was burned badly but was able to recover after a lot of care.

He became the mascot for the United States Forest Service and the national effort to manage or prevent forest fires. Smokey found a new home, this time in the National Zoo in Washington, DC.

Today the national, and particularly, the USDA, Washington, DC, celebrated Smokey’s 75^th birthday. Smokey was in attendance and I was able to get my picture taken with him. While at the patio where the celebration occurred, I was able to share Smokey stories with others in the Photo Line. My favorite question was “You mean that there was actually a real Smokey?”