AN HONOR TO OUR COUNTRY
What do these three gentlemen have in common???
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 in 2002 (DOB: 6/27/27), which
is odd, because he's never looked a day under 76. It reminded me of the
following story. Hope you enjoy it as much as I did.Some people have
been a bit offended that Lee Marvin is buried in a grave alongside 3 and
4-star generals at Arlington National Cemetery. His marker gives his
name, rank 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
experience. 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
also credits his sergeant with an even greater show of bravery.
While a guest on The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson, Johnny Carson
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 of that
action you earned the Navy Cross and were severely wounded."
"Yeah, yeah ... I got shot square in the butt 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 guy 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 quite 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.
Amazing what we do not know about people. |
