Thank You Garrison ,
I knew that he'd be gone someday fairly soon . I wasn't thinking it would be this soon . And I waited far too long to write him that fan letter I always meant to write , just to say thanks .
As a "latch-key" child , the very old , very used , 2nd-hand television set had more to do with my "up-bringing" than my parents did . Even when I was really too old for Captain Kangaroo , I'd watch occasionally . He was the grand-parent who was always right there , on the flickering screen , inside that little box .
And I have ALWAYS known just exactly why I have a VERY special place in my heart for Crayola Crayons , and white carnations , and Schwinn bicycles . . .
And for folks who did not grow up watching Capt'n Kangaroo , who might not remember . . .
Schwinn was a very major sponsor of that television program . And the Captain did very many live promotional commercial messages , during the show , for Schwinn bicycles . And in certain years of the Schwinn catalog , the Captain gets his very own whole page of the catalog ! And he states in the catalogs , just as Garrison mentioned :
"Schwinn Bicycles Are Best !"
Raoul Delmare
Marysville Kansas
( Since one of bicycling's friends, the good Captain, has sailed forth into that long, dark night )
And remember, kids... Schwinn bikes are the best! - Captain Kangaroo
RIP Bob Keeshan 1927-2004
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Bob Keeshan, who appeared on television as "Captain Kangaroo," said he and Rogers often spoke of how children's programming had become increasingly violent.
"I don't think it's any secret that Fred and I were not very happy with the way children's television had gone," Keeshan said.
Garrison Hilliard
garrison@efn.org
Treasure House, USA