September 12, 1942 – Tommy T. Tucker:
“All I wanted was to slay for the USA!“
Patriotism is the feeling of love, devotion and sense of attachment to your homeland and alliance with other citizens who share the same sentiment, with different feelings relating to one’s own ethnic, cultural, political or historical aspects. There are a lot of ways to demonstrate patriotism. Waving the flag is the laziest and takes the least amount of actual caring, but anything that celebrates the country or makes it better is a good display of patriotism. Whenever the USA has been at war, people are more vocal about their patriotism, playing those patriotic songs and making speeches about national pride. Showing patriotism is so important to most politicians that they will debate each other about who is really the most patriotic.
The MAGA movement has confused patriotism with unwavering support for their mango-hued authoritarian leader. That is not patriotism. Patriotism is making sacrifices for the greater good of the country. Driving a MAGA decorated pickup truck is not patriotic.
This is the tale (or tail) of Tommy Tucker, a truly patriotic American squirrel.
At the start of World War II, Tommy T. Tucker heeded the call for citizen engagement. Determined to do his part, he partnered with the Treasury Department to encourage Americans, especially kids, to purchase war bonds.
In the 1940s, Tucker traveled all over the beautiful vast USA raising money for the war effort and other patriotic causes, wearing items from his fabulous wardrobe of over 100 ensembles, most with matching hats and bags. He visited schools, entertaining American kiddos and inspiring them to do their part for their country.
His hard work was recognized by the War Finance Department with a thank you note. Government officials need to write more notes to the squirrels, in my opinion. The note read:
“You have become a very famous squirrel, indeed, with bomber crews carrying your picture over the fighting fronts, letters from notables everywhere, your picture in LIFE magazine, a coast-to-coast radio hookup, in which you asked in good squirrel language for people to buy war bonds.”
Soldiers really did appreciate Tucker. In the Tommy T. Tucker archives papers, there are heartfelt letters from those serving the country to the squirrel. Sgt. Morris A. Goodrich wrote:
“We carry your picture with us when we fly. And when we look at your picture, we realize the wonderful work you are doing for us and it gives us much more confidence, so we can do the job we have to do.”
Lt. James E. Evans
“I know you are back there rooting for us wishing you could be with us, in a way I’m glad you don’t have to live through what we have to face every time we go out and come back.”
Tucker was busy rooting for the troops. He visited those wounded in battle in hospitals, plus he would also visit sick children. He attended events sponsored by the Red Cross, encouraging people to help fight those nasty Nazis.
Tucker is probably the most patriotic and philanthropic squirrel ever; but like all great patriots, there was a special woman who made it all happen. Her name was Zaidee Bullis.
Bullis raised Tucker from a kit (the term for baby squirrels), making his dresses and training him to walk the runway. She managed Tucker’s bookings and his transportation to events. It was up to her to get Tucker aboard the train without interference from the railroad people. Getting a squirrel a drawing room car wasn’t easy. Neither was making a squirrel a big star. In the Tommy T. Tucker archives is a banking form labeled “Husband’s Consent to Wife’s Separate Account. Bullis managed Tucker’s career during an when a woman’s independence was limited.
They often traveled in her Packard accompanied by a fez-wearing bulldog with gold teeth.
Tucker published a memoir, The True Story of Tommy Tucker, where he writes that Bullis :”.…is the only Mother I’ve ever known“. She taught him the death drop and how to tuck his tail. Of the tail he writes:
“..it is very tender. My Mistress has my dresses cut away in back so they do not touch my tail.”
Tucker doesn’t share much about his love life, although my sources point to a rambunctious assignation with squirrel named Buzzy.
In The True Story of Tommy Tucker (available to read online), he goes on about outings to the park, the beach, and the zoo. Tucker was even good with the burn:
“I put on a pretty dress when I go to the zoo. The squirrels in the zoo do not have dresses.”
He had his own room, his own toys, and a bed where, Tucker let readers know:
“I take short naps many times a day. I take a nap whenever I am tired.”
Hey, I live a squirrel life!
Tucker’s last line in his book:
“I am a very happy squirrel.”
Tucker’s very happy time on our pretty planet came to an end in 1949. He died at the Grand Canyon, a great spot for a squirrel to take his leave. Bullis couldn’t stop caring for Tucker. She had him taxidermied dressed in his gag-worthy pretty-in-pink with pearls look.
Tucker brought realness to patriotism, bringing the house down where ever, whenever he werked it. From a letter from a young girl:
“Dear Tommy Tucker, I loved all of your dresses and I liked the wedding dress best of all.”
