fatrap
Well-Known Member
Carlos, and you other Marines did you know this?
I never knew any of this.....
Captain Kangaroo, Lee Marvin and Mr. Rogers
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 in 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 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 course 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 halfw! ay up Suribachi... Bad thing about
getting shot up on a moun tain 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 U.S. Navy Seal, proven in Vietnam with over twenty-
five confirmed kills to his name. He wore a long-sleeved 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.
I never knew any of this.....
Captain Kangaroo, Lee Marvin and Mr. Rogers
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 in 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 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 course 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 halfw! ay up Suribachi... Bad thing about
getting shot up on a moun tain 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 U.S. Navy Seal, proven in Vietnam with over twenty-
five confirmed kills to his name. He wore a long-sleeved 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.
