Fred Rogers – An American Hero – Part 2
Some time ago I posted about Fred Rogers receiving a Lifetime Achievement Award at the 1997 Emmy Awards Ceremonies. The post was well received and continues to be found in my archive by visitors who like to poke around the site and those who Google “Mr Rogers” and find the post that way. The link is
But I missed something important in that post. Here it is.
A Very Special Feature of Another Award Ceremony in 1999 that I Missed
Jeff Erlanger in 1981 TV Interview
I recently came across another YouTube video of the 1999 TV Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony of Fred Rogers that featured a surprise guest, Jeff Erlanger. Nine-year-old Jeff, was handicapped and in a wheelchair and facing major surgery when interviewed on the Mr. Rogers’ Neighborhood TV show in 1981.
The interview is absolutely precious and shows a lot about the kind of person Fred Rogers is.
And when Jeff is introduced as a man in his late 20’s still in his wheelchair at the 1999 Award Ceremony, Fred, the entire audience and anybody watching the video (namely, me!) dissolves in tears.
Watch and keep some Kleenex handy.
Jeff Erlanger One of Fred Rogers’ Special Friends
The 1981 Interview
This is the interview of Jeff when he was facing serious surgery as a 9-year-old.
And now the TV Hall of Fame Ceremony in 1999
And finally, here is a Youtube comment that demonstrates, first hand, the impact that Fred Rogers had and continues to have on one of his ardent fans.
A YouTube Comment That is a Fitting Tribute to Fred Rogers
materialgirl8707 (edited)I definitely took 10 seconds to remember all of the people who love me and yes, some are still here, and some are far away and some have already gone to heaven and of course this beautiful and wonderful man is 100 billion percent definitely one of them who is definitely in Heaven now. I was born in 1987, and I watched this every morning and afternoon, and since 26 years ago which is when I first started watching Mr. Rogers, I have loved him like my grandpa. I have never met a man so sweet, compassionate, comforting, and loving. He was one of the beautiful people in my life who not only loved me but taught me how to have a caring and loving heart of gold. Every time I watched Mr. Rogers when I was a little girl especially when I was battling childhood leukemia (19-year survivor) and felt so much pain and sickness and fear; my mom and dad would always put on Mr. Rogers and just listening to his comforting and loving voice made me forget that I was sick and gave me so much peace, comfort, joy, and love. I always loved when it was the beginning of the show when he’d come in, put on one of his iconic sweaters and sing his lovely cheerful song and read stories, visited the royal palace in the land of make believe (to me it was a true land 🙂 a place where kids can find happiness) ; talked with mailman Mr. Beasley and fed the fish. What is so wonderful and beautiful about this extraordinary man is that when he was talking–it’s like he was talking to you and you alone. And his message was always that no matter how many trials and tribulations or how many crosses you bear in life–I’m always here to comfort and love you and everything will be alright. That’s how Mr. Rogers was–such a kindhearted, comforting, and loving man who brought so much love to many generations of children including mine of course. And God only knows how sad I was and how much I sobbed and wept when it was already time for him to leave at the end of the day. But when he always said “…But I’ll be back when the day is new, and I’ll have more ideas for you and you’ll have things you’ll want to talk about–I will too” that’s what always made me stop crying and put a sweet smile on my face and made me look forward to a beautiful new day.. Mr. Rogers taught me the significance of caring for people and being compassionate and merciful and loving to people especially those who are less fortunate like people who are very sick; people who do not have enough money to put food on the table, kids who go to bed hungry, and especially those especially kids who do not have a roof over their head; and those who need comfort, mercy, and love. I am very blessed to have Mr. Rogers as one of my mentors in life. I wish today’s childhood generation could still see Mr. Rogers on PBS and learn his wisdom like my childhood generation did and childhood generations before me. I love you Mr. Rogers or grandpa. Thank you for all your wisdom and love that you gave me when I was a little girl. Rest in Heavenly Peace. Love you eternally.
Twenty-six years after she started watching Mr. Rogers and it’s as clear as yesterday to her!
With all the various superheroes of today that fly, speed around, fight, shoot violently (but in the name of justice) and otherwise ostentatiously capture the hearts and minds of our children, may I suggest that Fred Rogers is more important than all of them put together. And I don’t say that lightly because some of the earlier superheroes were very much a part of my youth.
So, once again, Thanks, Mr. Rogers.
You are a true American Hero.
Etc.
Please use the Share Buttons and/or email the post link below directly to your friends. This is the story of a true Superhero that needs to be told and retold.
Fred Rogers – An American Hero – Part 2
Mr. Rogers – an American Hero (Part 1)
Thanks.
I appreciate it. – Dick S
Other Links
Here are some links to other people who have been exemplary positive influences on many lives. Check them out.
https://dickstannard.com/christian-living-in-a-secular-world/2019/08/14/mr-wright-amazing-weird-teacher-amazing-father/
https://dickstannard.com/christian-living-in-a-secular-world/2019/03/13/john-wooden-coach-and-teacher-and-much-more/