Grandpa Pyle (
Norris Goff) refers to "Colonel Teddy" at San Juan Hill in the Spanish American War, which was in 1898. He is referring to
Theodore Roosevelt who famously led the "Rough Riders" to victory at the Battle of San Juan Hill, Cuba in 1898. Roosevelt later was vice-president of the United States from March to September 1901, until President
William McKinley was assassinated. Roosevelt then served as president from 1901-1909.