2005 Merchandise & Miscellaneous News Archives
December 21, 2005: Metropolis Superman Makes U.S. Army Tour
In Summer 2004 and 2005, HeroicWorld founder Scott Cranford had the honor of visiting with the families of U.S. Army troops stationed in Germany. Appearing as the official Man of Steel of Metropolis, Cranford shares his experiences and the motivational messages of the world's most famous superhero in this exclusive story.U.S. ARMY "SUPERMAN OF METROPOLIS" TOUR
By Scott Cranford
The Official Superman of Metropolis, Illinois
Thousands of American children are living on military bases overseas while their parents are stationed in places like Afghanistan and Iraq. These brave boys and girls are often left with very little to do but hope that their parents will return safely.
I received word through HeroicWorld.com that the Army was interested in doing a "Superman of Metropolis" Goodwill Tour to benefit these children. The MWR is a program the Army has set up to provide entertainment to troops and their families. My tour was to visit with children of troops on 8 military bases in Germany: Baumholder, Weisbaden, Hanau, Giessen, Wuerzburg, Katterbach, Bamberg and Schweinfurt. My duties would include reading to children, signing autographs and taking pictures with them.
As I said goodbye to my wife Marcella and my six-month-old son Jack for the two week tour, I imagined how it must be for military men and women who leave their families for months, even years.
Meeting with the boys and girls on these military bases would be different than anything I'd done before. The children I meet during the Superman Celebration in Metropolis, Illinois are there because they are fans of Superman. Would I be able to win these youngsters over? I remained focused on my purpose, honoring the character, presenting a positive role model, teaching the value of doing good and instilling hope.
Day 1: On an enormous military base in Baumholder, Germany, I entered a large gymnasium in full uniform. I took my place in front of a three story American flag. One by one and in an orderly fashion, children approached me. I greeted them, shook their hands and gave them words of encouragement. I was amazed at how well behaved and disciplined they were.
Day 2: Just as I entered an auditorium, a large group of kids swarmed me at once. They were climbing up and on top of me. They were wrapping themselves in my cape, squeezing my muscles to see if they were real, even yanking on my hair curl. They shouted various requests for superhuman feats: "Use your laser eyes. Fly! Pick up the school." The six years experience of playing Superman for the City of Metropolis taught me how to maintain control of the situation, but by the end of that day, I was beat.
That night I remember thinking, "Am I going to get though this?"
I thought back to George Reeves. Unlike other actors who portrayed Superman, he actually made public appearances and met with children first hand as the Man of Steel. He knew the impact the character had and felt a responsibility to find something unique in every child to make them feel special. From him I'd learned that even if I'd met hundreds of children that day, the child in front of me was meeting me for the first time. That lesson kept me going.
When asked to use my superpowers, I'd say, "I promised the Army I wouldn't and when you make a promise you have to keep it." However, there was one question I wasn't prepared for. It came from a young boy during a remembrance march around a football field and reminded me of why I was there.
"Is my Dad going to die in the war?" he asked.
I put my hand on the boy's shoulder and I told him the only thing I could. "Your dad is going be fine, son. Be strong for him."
PORTRAYING A HERO
Playing the Man of Steel in such situations can be challenging. Superman is a tough guy, but he is also always compassionate and kind.
Here are a few tips I like to remember when portraying the Man of Steel. I find they work pretty well in every day life, too.
- Stand up strait. Shoulders back!
- Always be positive. No matter what the situation, find the good in it and concentrate on solutions.
- Never raise your voice. Calm sets a tone and relaxes people.
- Treat everyone as equals and expect the same.
- Believe in the potential of my fellow person and genuinely wish great things for them. (For more heroic hints, visit www.HeroicWorld.com/hints.htm)
When I returned to my home in Los Angeles past midnight after the second tour, my then 1 1/2 year old son Jack woke up. At his age he did not know if I would ever come home. He was happy. So was I. As I went to sleep that night I thought of the children I'd visited who wouldn't be with their families and realized how fortunate I was.
I will always be grateful to the troops who made me feel welcome and to all of the wonderful children I met there. It was truly an inspiration to see first hand the tremendous sacrifice the men, women and children of the military make for their country.
Salutations & Heroic Wishes,
Scott Cranford
www.heroicworld.com
BONUS: Download a picture of Scott Cranford in his new Superman costume (note the Kryptonian symbols on the belt) as a desktop wallpaper for your computer.
2005 Merchandise & Miscellaneous News
Listed below are all the Merchandise & Miscellaneous News items archived for 2005.- January 6, 2005: Superman Roars into Monster Jam Monster Truck Series
- January 7, 2005: ABC Radio Queensland to Interview Steve Younis
- January 17, 2005: ABC Radio Queensland Interview with Steve Younis - Audio
- February 1, 2005: Superman Homepage T-Shirt Competition
- February 2, 2005: EA Games Advertises Positions Vacant for Superman Game
- February 3, 2005: Superman Homepage at Cult TV Superhero Expo
- February 9, 2005: Death to the Centurion Now Available in Paperback
- February 15, 2005: Superheroes and Philosophy
- February 17, 2005: Superman and DC Comics Bank Checks Available
- February 19, 2005: Deseret News Reports on Jerry Newingham's Superman Serials
- February 21, 2005: New Superman Figure Displayed at Toy Fair
- March 3, 2005: Golden Age of Radio Online Downloads
- March 6, 2005: BBC Radio 4 Asks Is Superman Jewish?
- March 6, 2005: Warhol Superman Painting in Multi-Million Dollar Collection
- March 13, 2005: Justice League Showbag at Sydney's Royal Easter Show
- March 15, 2005: George Lowther Superman Novel Listed in Rare Books
- March 21, 2005: New Superman Homepage Themes
- March 31, 2005: Superman vs the Klu Klux Klan
- April 18, 2005: Justice League Toys at Red Rooster in Australia
- April 21, 2005: Celebrity Details for Metropolis Illinois Superman Celebration
- April 29, 2005: Superman Radio's Atom Man Dies
- May 1, 2005: Superman to Appear in Ohio Wax Museum
- May 6, 2005: Superman Homepage RSS News Feed
- May 10, 2005: Metropolis Illinois Superman Celebration Details Online
- May 10, 2005: Superman Homepage Online Collector Cards
- May 21, 2005: Roger Stern Talks New Superman Novel
- May 31, 2005: Review - New Fossil Superman: Street Watch
- May 31, 2005: Steve Younis on ABC Australia Radio
- June 5, 2005: Superman Hits the Stage in Warsaw, Indiana
- June 11, 2005: New Superman Rollercoaster Under Construction in Australia
- June 12, 2005: Stars Shine at Annual Superman Celebration
- June 15, 2005: Superman's S Shield has Brand Strength
- June 15, 2005: New Life Size Superman Statue Available in Europe
- June 15, 2005: Metropolis Illinois 2005 Superman Celebration Reports
- June 16, 2005: WB to Fly High with Superman at Licensing 2005 International
- June 16, 2005: More Metropolis 2005 Superman Celebration Reports and Photos
- June 20, 2005: Tonight Show Reports on Metropolis Illinois Superman Festival
- June 21, 2005: Chicago Tribune Asks Is Superman Better Than Batman?
- June 21, 2005: Another Fan Report on the Metropolis Illinois Superman Celebration
- June 27, 2005: Man of Steel Marathon on Radio
- July 7, 2005: New Justice League Game for PS2 and Xbox
- July 22, 2005: Baby Kal-El Gets New Heart
- July 31, 2005: Tomorrow's Memoir Prequel Comic Online
- August 8, 2005: Philosophy Bathroom Product Benefits CRPF
- August 8, 2005: Superman Merchandise at Wizard World Chicago
- August 18, 2005: Fossil Release New Superman Multifunction Watch
- August 21, 2005: Superman Documentary Online
- August 22, 2005: Fossil Superman Multifunction Watch
- August 22, 2005: Police Seize 120,000 Fake Action Figures
- August 24, 2005: Superman Spotted in Serbia
- September 3, 2005: Superman Related Actors React to Hurricane Katrina
- September 7, 2005: Superman Tags Start A New Fad
- September 19, 2005: Justice League Toys with U.K. McDonalds Happy Meals
- September 27, 2005: Superman Symphony Flying High
- October 3, 2005: Nicolas Cage's Super Baby
- October 5, 2005: Superman Documentary Online - Now Free!
- October 13, 2005: Live Superman II Production
- October 23, 2005: It's Superman! Novel Reviewed
- October 26, 2005: Siegel's Silent Son Speaks Out
- October 28, 2005: Superman Game in Warner Bros. Online Arcade
- November 2, 2005: Win a Trip to Experience Superman Escape at Warner Bros Movie World
- November 9, 2005: Superman Cartoons on Chinese Cell Phones
- November 10, 2005: Study Sociology Through Superheroes in Illinois
- November 13, 2005: Pillsbury Dough Boy Dances to Superman Broadway Song
- November 15, 2005: More On Siegel's Silent Son
- November 21, 2005: Superman and Lois Lane Barbie Dolls
- November 23, 2005: Superman Documentary Maker Interviewed
- November 27, 2005: Monogram International Producing Superman Returns Merchandise
- November 28, 2005: Superman Brand Bible Proving a Success
- December 2, 2005: Lex Luthor Makes Forbes Fictional 15
- December 2, 2005: The 2005 SHIELD Award Winners!
- December 3, 2005: Superman Fan Convention in Hawaii
- December 3, 2005: Hallmark Superman Returns Products Coming Soon
- December 3, 2005: SHIELD Award Winners Say Thanks!
- December 5, 2005: Superman Returns Lunch Boxes Coming in May
- December 8, 2005: Forbes Follows Up with Luthor vs Wayne Article
- December 9, 2005: Australian Superman Escape Rollercoaster Website
- December 12, 2005: Superman and Songs Through Time
- December 12, 2005: Superheroes Banned From Pre-School
- December 12, 2005: Cosmos Magazine on the Science of Superheroes
- December 12, 2005: Which Superhero Are You?
- December 21, 2005: Australian Superman Escape Rollercoaster Ride Cam
- December 21, 2005: Metropolis Superman Makes U.S. Army Tour
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