This is very interesting! I had no idea!!
This is a special tribute.
You Would Never
Have Guessed
Captain Kangaroo passed away on January 23, 2004 at age 76 , which is odd,
because he always looked to be 76. (DOB: 6/27/27 ) His death reminded me of
the following story.
Some people have been a bit offended that the actor, Lee Marvin, is buried
in a grave alongside 3 and 4-star generals at Arlington National Cemetery
His marker gives his name, rank (PVT) and service (USMC). Nothing else.
Here's a guy who was only a famous movie star who served his time, why the
heck does he rate burial with these guys? Well, following is the amazing
answer:
I always liked Lee Marvin, but didn't know the extent of his Corps
experiences.
In a time when many Hollywood stars served their country in the armed forces
often in rear echelon posts where they were carefully protected, only to be
trotted out to perform for the cameras in war bond promotions, Lee Marvin
was a genuine hero. He won the Navy Cross at Iwo Jima There is only one
higher Naval award... the Medal Of Honor!
If that is a surprising comment on the true character of the man, he credits
his sergeant with an even greater show of bravery.
Dialog from "The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson": His guest was Lee Marvin.
. Johnny said,
"Lee, I'll bet a lot of people are unaware that you were a Marine in the
initial landing at Iwo Jima ..and that during the course of that action you
earned the Navy Cross and were severely wounded."
"Yeah, yeah... I got shot square in the bottom and they gave me the Cross
for securing a hot spot about halfway up Suribachi. Bad thing about getting
shot up on a mountain is guys getting shot hauling you down. But, Johnny, at
Iwo , I served under the bravest man I ever knew... We both got the Cross
the same day, but what he did for his Cross made mine look cheap in
comparison. That dumb guy actually stood up on Red beach and directed his
troops to move forward and get the hell off the beach.. Bullets flying by,
with mortar rounds landing everywhere and he stood there as the main target
of gunfire so that he could get his men to safety. He did this on more than
one occasion because his men's safety was more important than his own life.
That Sergeant and I have been lifelong friends. When they brought me off
Suribachi we passed the Sergeant and he lit a smoke and passed it to me,
lying on my belly on the litter and said, "Where'd they get you Lee?" "Well
Bob.... if you make it home before me, tell Mom to sell the outhouse!"
Johnny, I'm not lying, Sergeant Keeshan was the bravest man I ever knew.
The Sergeant's name is Bob Keeshan. You and the world know him as Captain
Kangaroo."
In another note, there was this wimpy little man (who passed away) on PBS,
gentle and quiet. Mr. Rogers is another of those you would least suspect of
being anything but what he now portrays to our youth. But Mr. Rogers was a U
S. Navy Seal, combat-proven in Vietnam with over twenty-five confirmed
kills to his name.
He wore a long-sleeved sweater on TV, to cover the many tattoos on his
forearm and biceps. He was a master in small arms and hand-to-hand combat,
able to disarm or kill in a heartbeat
After the war Mr. Rogers became an ordained Presbyterian minister and a
pacifist. Vowing to never harm another human and also dedicating the rest of
his life to trying to help lead children on the right path in life... He hid
away the tattoos and his past life and won our hearts with his quiet wit and
charm..
America's real heroes don't flaunt what they did; they quietly go about
their day-to-day lives, doing what they do best. They earned our respect
and the freedoms that we all enjoy.
Look around and see if you can find one of those heroes in your midst.
Often, they are the ones you'd least suspect, but would most like to have on
your side if anything ever happened.
Take the time to thank anyone that has fought for our freedom. With
encouragement they could be the next Captain Kangaroo or Mr. Rogers..
