See Also:
Beginning of a FAMOUS Hero: The Bob Keeshan Story.
Life Lesson #59 – Be An Encourager.
Young Freddy was born in Western Pennsylvania in the Spring of 1928. His parents were very wealthy, and while they had nearly everything they could want, they were also very thankful for all they had. They were thankful for each other, too.
Freddy’s grandfather would often say to him, “You make this day special just by being yourself. Remember, there’s only one person in the world like you, and I like you just the way you are!”
When Freddy saw some of his friends trying to act like other kids at school, he thought how silly that was. Why didn’t they just be themselves?
Well, young Freddy, Fred Rogers always was himself, and many people think one of the most important things about him was the way he treated everyone around him. Fred also knew how important education was so he did his very best all through school and in college.
In 1951, he got a job working at a television station. In 1953, he started his own program called, The Children’s Corner because he thought helping children learn was better than just making them laugh. Then in 1963, he created a show called Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood. Soon, millions of children started watching. Later the children who watched Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood grew up and had children of their own who also watched Mr. Rogers almost every day!
Yes, that Freddy Rogers, who’s grandfather often told him he was special just by being himself — that same Fred Rogers grew up to be Mister Rogers. And Mister Rogers was a HERO!
– Jim Lord