>
> Captain Kangaroo passed away on January 23, 2004 as 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.
> 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
>