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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)

It was a joy and an honor to represent the Man of Steel and to spread his positive message to these children overseas. The tour was such a success I was asked to return this past summer for another two-week tour that included military bases in Italy as well as Germany.

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.

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