posted July 11, 2007 07:18 PM         

You Might Not Ever Guess

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 be fore 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.'

On another note, there was this wimpy little man (who just 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 therefore 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.

posted July 11, 2007 09:09 PM         

Captain Kangaroo?

That's the only show I would watch as a kid.

Wowza.

posted July 11, 2007 09:35 PM         

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