The WOW Report

  • WOW Report
  • RuPaul’s DragCon
  • RuPaul’s Drag Race Live!
  • WOW Presents Plus
  • What to Watch
    • Backyard Envy
    • Dancing Queen
    • Fashion Photo RuView
    • Million Dollar Listing Los Angeles
    • Ministry of Evil
    • UNHhhh
    • Watch RuPaul’s Drag Race
  • Store
You are here: Home / Misc / Animals / #BornThisDay: Tommy Tucker, the Cross-Dressing Patriotic Squirrel

#BornThisDay: Tommy Tucker, the Cross-Dressing Patriotic Squirrel

By Stephen Rutledge on September 28, 2020 3:30 am

Smithsonian Archives

September 28, 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 really has the most patriotism.

On Thursday, the fetid mango-hued president announced that he would create a commission to promote “patriotic education” along with the creation of a grant to develop a “pro-American curriculum.” An obvious political move, he is placating his acolytes reaction to a growing push by progressives for schools to teach American History that does better at acknowledging slavery and systemic racism.

The president decried the “twisted web of lies” being taught in American classrooms about racism in America, calling it “a form of child abuse”.

The MAGA movement has confused patriotism with unwavering support for their authoritarian leader. That is not patriotism. Patriotism is making sacrifices for the greater good of the country. Wearing a mask is patriotic. Driving your MAGA decorated pickup truck into a crowd of BLM protestors is not patriotic.

This is the tale (or tail) of Tommy Tucker, a truly patriotic squirrel.

A squirrel in a dress looks up and to the left.
Library of Congress Archives

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.

Tommy Tucker leans on a small desk. The desk is decorated with "buy war bonds" posters.
Tucker at his squirrel-sized war bond booth that the Treasury Department built for him

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 a matching hats and bags. He visited schools, entertaining American kiddos and inspiring them to do their part for their country.

Three rows of small outfits.
Tucker’s closet

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.

A small child lies in bed in a robe, while a squirrel in a dress stands on his covers.

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. He 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.

A woman puts a squirrel in a dress. More squirrel sized dresses can be seen on the table.
Bullis helps Tommy dress

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.”

A woman drives  a car while the squirrel, standing inside the car, looks out the window. The squirrel is wearing a dress.
Tucker and Bullis go for a little drive, Library of Congress Archives

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.

A taxidermied squirrel wearing a pink dress (with rhinestones) and pearls. His nails are very long.
The one, the only: Tommy T. Tucker

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.”

Show the love:

  • Tweet
  • Share on Tumblr

Filed Under: Animals, Born This Day, Culture, Cute, Drag, Gay, Herstory, History, LBGTQ, Life, Misc, On Stage, Photography, Shade, Slay

More

#QWERRRKOUT Tuesday: Many-Faced Goddess LAUREL CHARLESTON

#QWERRRKOUT Tuesday: Many-Faced Goddess LAUREL CHARLESTON

by Paisley Dalton on January 19, 2021 7:13 am

#BornThisDay: Gay Icon, Ethel Merman

#BornThisDay: Gay Icon, Ethel Merman

by Stephen Rutledge on January 16, 2021 3:03 am

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Twitter
  • YouTube

Trending


Bette Midler Sings “Goodbye, Donnie” to the Tune of “Hello, Dolly” Watch

UPDATE: Armie Hammer’s Ex Courtney Vucekovitch Says “He Wanted to Barbecue and Eat Me”

RuPaul’s Drag Race Down Under Premieres This Year on WOW Presents Plus, Stan, TVNZ OnDemand

Bill Maher Writes an Instructional Children’s Book for Trump – “Pack Your Sh*t & Go” Watch

#LGBTQ: Matthew Camp’s House Completely Torched By Arsonist in an Apparent Hate Crime

About

From the creators of The Eyes of Tammy Faye, Party Monster, Million Dollar Listing, RuPaul's Drag Race, I Am Britney Jean, Big Freedia, and more.

Sarah Jessica Parker! Nicole Kidman! Kamala Harris! It’s the WOW Report for Radio Andy!
Stacey Abrams! Kimye! Chaos at the Capitol! Georgia Goes Blue! It’s the WOW Report for Radio Andy!
The Top Ten Things You May Have Forgotten Happened in 2020!
“Santa Fa La La” from “The Jinkx & DeLa Holiday Special” is a Sexy Xmas R&B Grind. Watch
Tom Cruise! Meryl Streep! James Corden! Ann Reinking! Harry & Meghan! The WOW Report for Radio Andy!

© 2019 World of Wonder Productions, Inc | World of Wonder is a trademark of World of Wonder Productions, Inc | Privacy

Copyright © 2021 · News Pro Theme on Genesis Framework · WordPress · Log in