Call Him Smokey

Driving to our campsite, Grandpa, Dad and I noticed a Smokey Bear sign alongside the road. The summer had been dry, and the fire danger level had risen with the temperatures. 

"There's Smokey Bear!" shouted Grandpa, "Haven't seen him in a while." 

Suddenly, both Dad and Grandpa broke into singing "Smokey the Bear".

"Sing with us, Jack!" teased Grandpa. 

I rolled my eyes.

Dad commented, "You don't hear that song much anymore." 

"Do kids even know the story of Smokey Bear?" Grandpa asked. 

"Uh-oh, a story is about to begin," I realized.

Grandpa began, "During World War II, our resources were being wasted by forest fires. The United States Forest Service hoped that education would help. They created ads using posters to teach the public how to prevent forest fires. Walt Disney loaned his image of Bambi to the ad campaign for a short time. Using an animal mascot worked; people paid attention to the message."

Grandpa continued, "The first Smokey Bear poster was created in August 1944. It showed a bear wearing jeans and a forest ranger's hat, pouring a bucket of water on a campfire. In 1947, they added the slogan, 'Remember... only YOU can prevent forest fires.' By the 1950s and '60s, Smokey Bear appeared on radio and TV, in comic strips and cartoons. When the song, 'Smokey the Bear' was released in 1952, Americans loved it." 

Dad added, "Smokey's ads dramatically reduced the number of acres lost to fires each year."

"Every generation must do its part," Grandpa said. 

Then he and Dad began singing again, and I joined in.









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