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.) It 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 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
character.
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.