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