Editor's note: We have received many replies to our emails commemorating Dr Vernon Boggs. This letter seems to represent all the people who wrote it.

Dear friends of Vernon Borg, hello!

My name is Sarah Strang. I live in Albuquerque, New Mexico, and I want to write to you and tell you how much Vernon means to me. I only met him once, but before I met him, I talked with him by phone, and after I met him, I corresponded with him by email. In the past two years, Vernon has become one of my personal heroes.

I first knew Vernon Boggs at the beginning of 1993, when I was a senior in college. I am writing an honorary thesis on multiculturalism/cultural intersection in art and salsa dancing. I saw Vernon's name in a Latin beat magazine under the heading of "Physiology". After ordering and reading his book, I decided to call him and ask him to help me with my research. We ended up talking on the phone a lot. He told me something about his salsa dancing theory, new york's scenes, his trip to Cuba, and some of his life. He really helped me finish my thesis, and he really inspired me.

Last January, I attended a relative's wedding in Boston. Before I travel, I decided that I would also go to new york to meet Vernon, a personal hero.

Anyway, I called Vernon when I was in new york, and we had a good time. He took me to a restaurant called Taza de Oro, where we ate a lot of famille rose, Tostone, arroz and habichuelas. Then we went to Zanzibar Club to listen to African music.

Vernon is great. Because salsa brings us together, I think most of our conversations will be held here. We talked about music, dancing and where I should go to dance when I am in new york. But we also talked about our dreams, our families, our life path and our love. What makes me feel so inspired and connected with Vernon is the beautiful spirit and love for mankind he shared with me-I think he also shared this with everyone he came into contact with. He is passionate about life and people.

That night, before we left Zanzibar, Vernon thanked me for being his "fan" and handed me a big bag of music-mostly Swedish salsa. I've been listening to the music he gave me and thinking about him.

I will never forget saying goodbye to him that snowy night. When a taxi stopped to take me home, he seemed to say "goodbye, Fan" sadly and gave me a big hug.

After I left new york, Vernon and I corresponded by mail. He is an excellent writer. This summer, I went through a difficult period in my life. Vernon wrote me the most thoughtful and loving letter I have ever received. I put his letter under my pillow and slept for three weeks.

Last weekend, I came home from a business trip in southern New Mexico (I interviewed women all over the state for a research project on breast cancer). On my way home, I started talking to Vernon loudly. He listens.

When I got home, my latest issue of Descartes had arrived, and that's how I learned of Vernon's death. I feel so lost.

But I am writing to tell you that I love Vernon. He is so inspiring to me. I'm glad he is a part of my life. Last Friday, I dedicated a part of the Salsa Show (broadcast here on Friday night) to Vernon, including some music by Joe Cuba. Other people in New Mexico will miss him, too.

I want to frame the photos Vernon sent me of him and Tito Puente and hang them on my bedside.

Vernon lives in my heart and spirit. Thank you for paying tribute to such an excellent person. I will never forget it.

KenThinks.com

A person's view on anything.

Search: Go home and make an appointment with someone//You are reading ... people.

Personal hero: Mr. Rogers

Yukon? August 2009 1? Send this post by email? Print this article? comment

Mr. Rogers, the greatest neighbor in the world.

Recently, when I was sitting in a small restaurant with most of Brady Bang Qi's family, I was surprised to hear a sentence from Melissa 10-year-old daughter. Typically, the dialogue we have as a group will experience twists and turns that none of us can foresee. At first, it may just be a small talk about the amusement facilities of the only amusement park in Kansas City, and in a few minutes, it may be the end of the best children's show ever. I like these conversations very much. But as I mentioned earlier, there is a line in this round table that makes my eyes wide open, and that is to keep my scrambled eggs away from the dishes on the dirty table. This line?

"Who is Mr. Rogers?"

Wait a minute ... What? ! ?

I thought for a while, in this special era, how should I describe Fred Rogers to a child. In a world full of Spongebob and Aylmer, I can only imagine how strange Mr. Rogers' neighbors are to them-and, sadly, how boring. It's a pity, because Mr. Rogers, for me, is my personal hero and has had a far-reaching impact on my life.

Fred McPhery Rogers was born in latrobe, Pennsylvania, 1928. He was an only child in his early years. It was during the time he spent with his grandfather Fred McPherie that he first became interested in music and puppet shows. However, his grandfather's oft-repeated words have influenced the maternity of young Roger and laid the foundation of this world. Millions of children will know and love this world when they grow up: "You make today a special day just because you are you."

Rogers saw TV for the first time when he graduated from college. Attracted by the emerging media, he chose to enter this field instead of completing his seminary study. "I entered the TV industry because I hate it. I think there is some way to use this magical tool to train people who want to watch and listen."

God, he really found a way to do this. Mr. Rogers' neighbors range from 1968 to 200 1, and there are nearly 900 episodes (895 episodes are exac t T). Millions of children have a lesson in daily life, and the lecturers are the people I personally think are the most qualified to give lectures-sometimes even more qualified than their parents.

The whole world knows that Fred Rogers is one of the friendliest and most sincere people you can meet. Can you imagine a man like Rogers who is open-minded, caring, respected and perfect? Yes, I can even say that this man is perfect. I'd like to hear your statement, if I may.

There are several points that can explain how much Mr. Rogers is loved by the whole world:

1990, the thief stole his car. After discovering whose car they stole (the story was discovered and widely reported by the news media), the car was sent back to the stolen place with a note saying, "If we knew this car was yours, we wouldn't take it."

Koko is a Stanford-educated gorilla who can speak about 1 000 American sign language words and is a huge fan of Rogers. On a trip to shoot gorillas for his performance, Koko immediately put her arms around Mr. Rogers and began to untie his shoes-she had seen him do this at the beginning of every performance.

Once he was late for a meeting and couldn't find a taxi, Rogers and a colleague jumped on the subway in new york. Shortly thereafter, he was recognized and the whole car began to sing his signature theme song "It's a beautiful day in the neighborhood"

One of his signature sweaters (each of which was hand-knitted by his mother) hangs in the Smithsonian Museum.

Although Rogers may be best known for his kind manners, he is also a staunch advocate of public television ... When he testified in the US Senate, he almost saved public television single-handedly (see the video on the right).

Background story: 1969 The budget of the public address system has brought us everything from Sesame Street to the front line. Because then President Richard Nixon decided to spend more money on the Vietnam War, the system faced the risk of losing 50% of the budget.

Rogers appeared in front of the US Senate Communications Subcommittee and managed to change the decision of Senator John pastore, the chairman of the Subcommittee, in just over six minutes. After listening to Rogers' speech, pastore, who was completely unfamiliar with Mr. Rogers' work at that time, said that he felt "goose bumps" after hearing Rogers' convincing speech, and approved the full budget of PBS that year.

After Rogers completed the appeal, the senator said, "I think it's great, I think it's great" and ended with "It looks like you just won $20 million". Boom!

His greatness and generosity are not unrequited. In his life, his professional and personal work has won honors. Roger S won 40 honorary degrees, two Peabody Awards, Presidential Medal of Freedom (the highest civilian award in the country) and four Emmy Awards, including 1997 Lifetime Achievement Award.

His speech lasted only a few minutes, but it succeeded in making hundreds of celebrities present smile and even cry. He got a standing ovation from the audience when he walked to the stage and left. What surprised me most was how Mr. Rogers kept his true character when he was awarded this huge award in recognition of his own achievements, instead of turning this moment into magic by reminding everyone of the people in their own lives who helped them achieve today's achievements.

This is undoubtedly one of the most touching and powerful acceptance speeches I have ever seen in my life.

The following is the text of his speech at the 24th Annual Daytime Emmy Awards:

"So many people helped me come here tonight. Some of you are here, some are far away, and some are even in heaven. Each of us has a special person who loves us. Can you spend 10 seconds with me thinking about those who have helped you become who you are, those who care about you, and those who want your life to be better? 10 second, I look at the time. [10 second pause] The people you've been thinking about must be happy to know the changes you think they've brought. You know, TV provides such people for our world very well. I especially want to thank my family, my friends, my colleagues in the field of public broadcasting and home communication, and this college for encouraging me and allowing me to be your neighbor over the years. May God be with you. Thank you very much. "

In August 2006, the last episode of Mr. Rogers' Neighbor was broadcast. Less than two years later, Fred Rogers died after a short struggle with gastric cancer, and the world suffered great losses. The whole world shed tears when the news of his death spread. A whole generation of adults, including myself, who watched Mr. Rogers' neighbors grow up, felt a great loss. The man who was regarded as a member of his family by many people has gone ... This man not only taught love and sympathy, but also instilled a sense of self-worth in millions of people of different ages.

The U.S. House of Representatives and Senate unanimously passed bills-resolutions11and 16 respectively-to commemorate his life, and at the same time, the grieving people spoke out loudly about their losses:

"In today's fast-paced and high-tech children's entertainment world, Mr. Rogers is an oasis of patience, kindness and care." -Kenosha, Viskonisin

"Fred Rogers is my inspiration. I am 35 years old and have cerebral palsy. Mr Rogers made me feel important and let me know that I can make a difference even though I have cerebral palsy and learning disabilities. The vocational rehabilitation office told my parents that I couldn't go to college. I have a bachelor's degree in communication and a master's degree in rehabilitation science. Now, thanks to Mr Rogers, my parents and others, I work with people with mental retardation and mental health problems. Thank you, Mr. Rogers, for believing in children all over the world, and for helping me believe in myself and become my neighbor today. " Portway, Pennsylvania

"My parents divorced when I was very young. At that time, I thought, if I were a better son, maybe my father would stay. This burden lasted for a long time. Mr. Rogers told me that I was special, too, and I finally realized that it was not my fault. He gave me a gift that money can't buy, a gift of self-worth. " Exeter, New Hampshire

"When your father is an alcoholic, it is difficult to understand what his father should be like. Mr. Rogers told me that men can be gentle and loving, and they are not all angry and abusive. I clearly remember watching his program when I was a child, and I thought how kind he was, not terrible. I am very grateful to Fred Rogers for dedicating himself to children all over the world, and for his excellent role model, which made me see the world outside my home. " Bend, Oregon

"As a little boy, I come from a bad family. The only person who makes me feel good about myself is Mr. Rogers. He is the only person who makes me feel safe and comfortable. " Pennsylvania Hershey Co.

As a child who grew up comfortably with loving parents, Mr. Rogers is not as important to my personal growth as he is to many other people I know. Hearing the news of his death, I didn't shed a tear, although I did feel lost. It was not until many years later, when I came across an article about him, that I really remembered that I had spent countless hours observing Mr. Rogers' neighbor … and made me realize how incredible this man was, and his legacy still exists today. I don't have any tears when I read everything he has accomplished in his life.

I started this article to tell you how shocked I was. My girlfriend was 10 and had never heard of Mr. Rogers. You can bet that in the near future, she will definitely know who he is, because I intend to introduce her the eternal information of this man. I want her to know that although she is going through a difficult period in her life, she is special. Her mother and I love her … that's what she is.

Mr. Rogers, thank you for giving the world a great gift-your gift.