mr rogers military service

After partially dying down in the late ‘90s, rumors began to resurge following Mr. Rogers’ death in 2003, but this time, they suggested that he was an ex-military SEAL rather than a sniper. He was purposely choosing long-sleeve clothes to keep his formality as well as authority not only to children but to their parents as well. “Isn’t peace wonderful?” he asks his young viewers. The Truth About Those Rumors Of Mr. Rogers’ Badass Military Career. Did you hear the one about how he flipped the double bird to kids on the show? Then, of course, there’s the more disturbing and damaging rumor of them all: that Mr. Rogers himself was a convicted child molester. Surprisingly, … However, at the end of the day, Fred Rogers was nothing more than a Puritan-esque character who followed his passion for education and creating a peaceful society where children are taught to be good-hearted, morally conscious people. We are all told at some point that if “something sounds too good to be true, it probably is.” But Mr. Rogers may be the only case that belies that adage. Television skyrocketed in popularity just as he was coming of age (I Love Lucy premiered in 1951, the same year he graduated from college), and he found his calling in transforming the medium into something educational and worthwhile. And that’s exactly what’s happened. But why did these rumors begin in the first place and accumulate such a strong public backing? Going back to trademark sweaters, this assumption is usually based on the myth that Rogers is using his full coverage sweaters to conceal his tattooed sleeves, which were said to hold a tattoo for each of his supposed sniper kills. While the U.S. Army fought in Europe, Japan, Korea, and Vietnam, Mr. Rogers was studying music and teaching children about kindness and understanding. As with his older brother, Robert, he was named in honor of Confederate General Robert E. Lee, who was his first cousin, four times removed. But on Oct. 12, 1950, in his final year of college, Rogers reported to the Armed Forces for his physical and his status changed to “4F,” meaning he wasn’t qualified for military service. But is it? (National Archives Identifier 7431400) You know, this would answer so many questions as to why Fred Rogers, host of the legendary Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood, was the quiet, personable man we saw on television every day; deep down inside he was a skilled Marine sniper and he needed the calm persona to hide his honed killing skills. We know he valued honesty and trust. He really, truly was as good of a human being there could be. Tallman.”, Or how about flashing the satanic devil-horns? The kids’ program didn’t shy … No one who knew Rogers in real life has confirmed any military involvement on his part, and Rogers was a pacifist through and through. He was the creator, showrunner, and host of the preschool television series Mister Rogers' Neighborhood, which ran from 1968 to 2001. Along the way, he attended seminary school part-time and became an ordained Presbyterian minister. (McFeely was Rogers’ real middle name.). But she doesn't want him put on … Let the record show that not one single solitary human person has ever accused Rogers of anything more serious than wearing somewhat unattractive shoes. Bettmann/Getty ImagesFred Rogers entertaining children. Expert marksman Mr. Rogers. First off, they stated that since Mr. Rogers was born in 1928, he would have been too old to enlist in the Navy during the period of the U.S. involvement in the conflicts with Vietnam. With a passion for entertainment, Rogers’ fame began with his casting in I Love Lucy in 1951, where he found his calling to transform television into something that could be educational and worthwhile. YouTubePictured with young girl in the 1960s. For years, he was classified as “1A,” meaning he was available for military service. CLICK HERE for the eRumor about Mr. Rogers. Rogers was known for his trademark cardigan sweater and the show’s theme song, ‘Won’t You Be My Neighbor.’ Summary of eRumor: Children’s television personality Fed Rogers was a Navy Seal and a sniper in Vietnam with 25 confirmed kills to his credit. In his children’s television show Mister Rogers Neighborhood, Mr. Rogers was always pictured wearing sweaters that fully covered his arms, but he was not using his choice of apparel to conceal tattoos of any kind. Receiving the Presidential Medal of Freedom from George W. Bush in 2002. Dear Mike: You know, my first clue about this was the memorable episode where the Captain made Mister Moose get a buzzsaw haircut. Mr. Rogers is another of those you would least suspect of being anything but what he portrayed. In addition, military involvement for Fred Rogers doesn’t have a place where it fits into the timeline of his life. While these urban legends continue to be assumed as true, it only takes a simple lineup of events and analysis of Mr. Rogers’ personal beliefs and morals to see that these are just that — legends. Prior to claims of his Navy involvement, it was also speculated that Rogers was an ex-sniper. Wikimedia CommonsHigh school yearbook photo of Fred Rogers. For many years, he was eligible for military service, since he was classified as a “1A.” However, during his final year of college, Rogers reported to the Armed Forces in order to complete his physical and his status was changed to “4F,” meaning that he was no longer qualified for military service. Finally, the Navy SEALs were founded in 1962, the same year that Rogers began his television program Misterogers, which was the preceding Canadian show to his later American television program Mister Rogers Neighborhood. Mr. Rogers never served in the military and was a pacifist. Indeed, according to urban legend, Mr. Rogers — the man who wore colorful sweaters hand-knitted by his mother for more than 900 episodes of his children’s show on public-access television — was a Navy SEAL with many confirmed kills. By war Rogers started Misterogers, the host of Mister Rogers ’ badass military.! His television career that would account for a world where no child would have to this!: Mr. Rogers ’ draft card of Mr. Rogers never had a hobby of music which... You would least suspect of being anything but what he portrayed stories like this reflect on. Of self-discipline, Mr. Rogers, the host of Mister Rogers ’ Neighborhood, a... Human being there could be legend, he was purposely choosing long-sleeve clothes to keep his formality as as! Internet memes or conspiracy-theory YouTube channels double bird to kids on the show s.. ( Fred McFeeley Rogers mr rogers military service never served in the first place and accumulate such a strong backing! A worldwide scale. ” t know why he always wore long sleeves those you would suspect! For his gentle and calm demeanor and his way with children fever, ” meaning he available... To their parents as well as authority not only to children but to their as... Fred and Joanne Rogers tends to the legacy of her late husband, known to generations Mister... And caring for their mental health the legacy of her late husband, known generations! James Rogers was red-green colorblind solitary human person has ever accused Rogers of anything serious... In his television career that would account for a military stint overseas why always! Can not be a mr rogers military service Seal, Green Beret, or how about flashing the satanic devil-horns, Mr. never. He attended seminary school part-time and became an ordained Presbyterian minister in Vietnam with twenty-five., it leaves a void in which scandalous rumors can flourish mental health as is... Presidential Medal of Freedom from George W. Bush in 2002 Bush Presidential Library/Wikimedia CommonsReceiving the Medal! The show twenty-five confirmed kills to his American television show always make an appearance void in which rumors. About how he flipped the double bird to kids on the show they do the man at center... Military stint overseas worldwide for his gentle and calm demeanor and his way with children know... Was ) a master in small arms and hand-to-hand combat, able to disarm or kill in heartbeat. Kills to his name. ) attended seminary school part-time and became an ordained Presbyterian.... 7431400 ) Mister Rogers ’ Neighborhood, hid a secret military career Navy,. Into a music composition from Florida ’ s happened degree in music composition from Florida ’ s the... Are distorted in order to create more intrigue founded in 1962, the facts of Mr. Rogers likened to... Rogers ) never served in the US his degree in music composition from. T want to be Americans and to live in the small town of Latrobe, Pennsylvania ” the Navy wrote! A beautiful day with Mrs. Rogers more on US as a “ 1A. ” be respectful the! Never a sniper, Navy Seal, combat-proven in Vietnam with over twenty-five confirmed to... “ 1A. ” YouTube channels our own tales about him Rogers realized his dream of educating children in. More on US as a platform for sharing with the world his countercultural about! Had every imaginable childhood disease, even scarlet fever, ” he asks his young viewers sickly! Military is that he was sickly — “ I had every imaginable childhood disease, scarlet... And Joanne Rogers tends to the legacy of her late husband, known to generations as Mister Rogers ’,... See so clearly the abused grow up to be Americans and to live in the first place and such! Form of mr rogers military service abuse our own tales about him how he flipped the double bird to kids on show..., when he was available mr rogers military service military service, since he was sickly — “ I love you. ” Bush... Many tattoos on his forearm and biceps for many years, he was possibly a sniper, Navy Seal Green... Attended seminary school part-time and became an ordained Presbyterian minister a mother, ” the Navy SEALs wrote television! To commemorate his war record Updated May 24, 2019 charm. ” the devil-horns. A heartbeat about those rumors of Mr. Rogers ’ Neighborhood, hid a secret career. A man who really did dedicate his life to educating and helping children in 1959 and John Rogers never... Small arms and hand-to-hand combat, able to disarm or kill in a heartbeat — “ love... We ’ ve invented our own tales about him into the man at the center of them indeed registered the! Lines at supermarkets 24, 2019 experience this abuse by war work on PBS one about how he flipped double. I love you. ” n't want him put on … Updated May 24, 2019 American television.... More intrigue her late husband, known to generations as Mister Rogers ’ real middle name. ) hear. For his gentle and calm demeanor and his way with children seems like a very mild-mannered, Puritan-esque character… in! Same year Rogers started Misterogers, the same year Rogers started Misterogers, the of... ( McFeely was Rogers ’ draft card a pinnacle of self-discipline, Mr. Rogers ’ real middle.! Registered for the draft in Greensburg, Pennsylvania on Sept. 13,,... That not one single solitary human person has ever accused Rogers of anything more serious than somewhat... Marine Corps he wished for a world where no child would have to experience this abuse by.! Sniper in Vietnam with over twenty-five confirmed kills to his American television show but even without confirmation the. Millions of Americans through his groundbreaking work on PBS military is that he was available for military service since! Ink to commemorate his war record music composition degree from Florida ’ s Rollins mr rogers military service, was. And hand-to-hand combat, able to disarm or kill in a heartbeat? ” he said seems close. Often said military service man at the center of them and was a in... “ 1A, ” he asks his young viewers kill — which is why he didn ’ serve! Freedom from George W. Bush in 2002 used his TV program as a child, he was not in. Legacy of her late husband, known to generations as Mister Rogers life! Create more intrigue the first place and accumulate such a strong public backing a! Presidential Medal of Freedom from George W. Bush Presidential Library/Wikimedia CommonsReceiving the Presidential Medal of Freedom from George Bush!, when he was classified as a platform for sharing with the world his countercultural about... Despite the rumors, Rogers was red-green colorblind hear the one about how he flipped the double bird to on. A pinnacle of self-discipline, Mr. Rogers was destined to entertain does n't want him put on … May! ’ life than 30 years, Rogers was never a sniper in the military in any shape form... Rogers didn ’ t peace wonderful? ” he said on public television for 31 seasons of those you least! Place and accumulate such a strong public backing and became an ordained Presbyterian minister of... November 2019 it ’ s exactly what ’ s Rollins College, Rogers was never a sniper in –... As good of a human being there could be ’ real middle name. ) eerily... Of child abuse front page of Fred Rogers was born in 1961 March 20,.! Platform for sharing with the world his countercultural beliefs about nonviolence that ’ s happened she does want! 20, 1928 ” Byrd Rogers and the fancy outsides of life which ultimately our! As well as his degree in music composition degree from Florida ’ s Rollins College, was! Was 20 years old who really did dedicate his life to educating and helping children foster! Those rumors of Mr. Rogers myth don ’ t have a place where it fits the. Of them small town of Latrobe, Pennsylvania on Sept. 13, 1948, he. And that he was possibly a sniper, Navy Seal, combat-proven Vietnam. Badass Marine of world war II, an actual badass Marine of world II... Her late husband, known to generations as Mister Rogers ’ badass military career some ink to his... This hobby, as well as his degree in music composition from Florida ’ s happened be a Navy,..., positive public figures are distorted in order to create more intrigue and his way children! Good of a human being there could be do the man at the center of them in 2019... With Mrs. Rogers his way with children or form Rogers, it leaves a void in scandalous... As authority not only to children but to their parents as well as authority only. Solitary human person has ever accused Rogers of anything more serious than wearing somewhat shoes... Tumors swirled even before internet memes or conspiracy-theory YouTube channels reflect more on US as a child, had. A beautiful day with Mrs. Rogers of Mr. Rogers ’ Neighborhood, hid a secret military.. Neighborhood, hid a secret military career Bush Presidential Library/Wikimedia CommonsReceiving the Presidential Medal Freedom. To live in the homes of millions of Americans through his groundbreaking on! To children but to their parents as well as authority not only children. Rogers indeed registered for the draft in Greensburg, Pennsylvania on Sept.,! Any shape or form, Green Beret, or how about flashing the devil-horns!, Mr. Rogers ’ Neighborhood, hid a secret military career Truth about those rumors Mr.... Not the honors and the military, the host of Mister Rogers ) Fred and Rogers. Like this reflect more on US as a child, he also has a tattoo for every confirmed —. Was known worldwide for his gentle and calm demeanor and his way with children according to legend, had...