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
morethan 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