Attention: TDR Forum Junkies Captain Kangaroo passed away on January 23, 2004 at age 76 , which is odd, because he
always looked like he was 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 Jim a . 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 Jim a . . 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 before 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.
always looked like he was 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 Jim a . 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 Jim a . . 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 before 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.
