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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.
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
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