| Hi all,
I got the following message as a forward awhile ago, and it seems to be appropriate at this time. Hope you all enjoy it as much as I did.
Quite a few of us grew up with Captain Kangaroo, as you or your children
probably did. I knew nothing of his background, only that his show was both
entertaining, educational, and as kids, we looked forward to it with great
anticipation. Captain Kangaroo turned 76 recently, which is odd, because he's never
looked a day under 76 . (DOB: 6/27/27) It reminded me of the following story.
Hope you enjoy it as much as I did.
Thought that you might enjoy the following.
Ron
It appears some people have been a bit offended that Lee Marvin is buried in
a grave alongside three and four 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 did not 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 ass 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 gettin' 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. The dumb
bastard actually stood up on Red Beach and directed his troops to move forward
and get the hell off the beach. 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..... 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 one of those you would least
suspect of being anything but what he now portrays to our youth.
But Mr. Rogers was a US Navy Seal, combat proven in Vietnam with over
twenty-five confirmed kills to his name. He wore a long sleeve sweater to cover the
many tattoos on his forearm and biceps. A master in small arms and
hand-to-hand combat, he was able to disarm or kill in a heartbeat. He hid that away 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
freedom's 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. |