Because this deserves its own post. Jonas Salk

[Grins]

I had this in another post, but I think it deserves to stand on its own.

In 1969 Dave Garroway (Kidz - Google it!) was the host of this enormously popular show on NBC called "The Today Show."

Fifteen years after the first of the nationwide tests for the polio vaccine that began in McLean, Va., Garroway had been tapped by the March of Dimes to MC a banquet to honor Jonas Salk.

At the dinner, Garroway began his hosting duties with, “As I was leaving to come here tonight...,” and described his getting dressed to go to the testimonial dinner. His 11-year old son, Dave Jr., saw him getting dressed and asked his dad where he was going.

Garroway Sr.: “To a dinner for Dr. Salk.”
Garroway Jr.: "Who's Dr. Salk?"
Garroway Sr.. “He’s the man who found the vaccine for polio.”
Garroway Jr. (puzzled): “What’s polio?”

And the room went silent. And Dr. Salk was reported to have been visibly moved.

[flying_wahini]

1. I got all verklempt reading this. Thanks for re)posting.

[samnsara]

2. ..and adults wouldnt take the vaccine because polio was called Infantile Paralysis...

..the gvnt enlisted Elvis to go to campuses to encourages teens to get it. I still have my card for the oral vaccine I got in 1962.

[Upthevibe]

3. Grins....

Thank you for this post.

[recovering_democrat]

4. Thank you for this post: "teach your children well"

I was one of those 1950's kids hospitalized in a coma while doctors tried to figure out what i had. Of course at that time they suspected polio which was very scary for my family. Turned out not to be polio but the development of vaccine was a HUGE relief for many. Cant forget this many years later. Cant understand the ongoing craziness about media and political insanity about Covid.

Yes there are some negative backgrounds for some medical issues. But keep sharing the positive with the younger generation that dont have these old memories. Pass it on.

[dflprincess]

5. When he was about 10 (around 1990) my nephew & I

ran into an acquaintance who was dealing with post polio syndrome. After we went our separate ways he asked me why she had to use crutches. I told him why and he asked the same question. "What's polio?".

At the time I thought somewhere Dr Salk was smiling.

[IronLionZion]

6. 3,145 Americans died in the worst year for polio: 1952

Amazing how far we've come in some ways and how stupid malicious people are taking us backwards to make America great again.

[Lonestarblue]

7. Excellent post. Thank you. Would you mind if I used some of it in a Facebook post?

[rurallib]

8. I am thinking I will just steal it

and Thank Grins for the great post

[Grins]

9. Use it all!

The story was first written up in the New York Post in Earl Wilson’s gossip column of 17 April 1969. It was often retold by Garroway.

[crickets]

10. I just got all misty. Thanks for posting this, Grins. nt