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Sun 9 Nov, 2003 07:04 pm
Didn't know where to post this one, but it should have great interest for most Ameriacns. There are so many things we know very little about the people we see in the movies or television. This one's a heart-lifter.
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Captain Kangaroo turned 76 recently, which is odd, because he's never
looked a day under 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
did not 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 interview 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 butt 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 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.
That brave man actually stood up on Red beach and directed his troops to
move forward and get the hell off the beach. Bullets flying by and
mortar rounds landing everywhere and he stood there as the main target
of gun fire 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 US Navy Seal, combat proven in Vietnam with over
twenty-five confirmed kills to his name. He wore a long sleeve sweater
on his show to cover the many tattoos on his forearm and biceps. 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 the tattoos and his past life 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. 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.
ci thanks for the reminder. i knew of bob keeshan's bravery, but not mr rogers' background.
and juxtaposed is the fancy pants codpiece commander in thief prancing on that carrier like he fought in a war.
Wow. Didn't know any of that c.i. David Niven (British of course) was the real thing too.
I
thought that sounded a bit off....
Mr Rogers Killing Fields?
CI, I hate to do this, but...
Sgt. Marsupial?
Quote:Bob Keeshan, later famous as television's "Captain Kangaroo," also enlisted in the U.S. Marines, but too late to see any action during World War II. Keeshan was born on 27 June 1927 and enlisted two weeks before his 18th birthday, months too late to have taken part in the fighting at Iwo Jima. A 1997 interview with Keeshan noted that he "later enlisted in the U.S. Marines but saw no combat" because, as Keeshan said, he signed up "just before we dropped the atom bomb.
and:
Quote:Lee Marvin did enlist in the U.S. Marines, saw action as Private First Class in the Pacific during World War II, and was wounded (in the buttocks) by fire which severed his sciatic nerve. However, this injury occurred during the battle for Saipan in June 1944, not the battle for Iwo Jima, which took place several months later, in February 1945. (Marvin also did receive a Purple Heart, and he is indeed buried at Arlington National Cemetery.)
sorry.
hobit, I'm always willing to 'listen' to the other side of any story that comes my way. I try to live with my head above sand level. You did ruin a feel good, tho, but truth is more important.
Nice story, but I'm told it is an urban legend.
If it helps the feel good moment to continue, I still thoroughly enjoyed the entertainment and education both those gentle men provided in their TV shows for children.
I grew up watching Captain Kangaroo and Mr. Greenjeans both in black and white and then color. Those were the days when the local television stations all had their own infamous characters on live television shows for kids.
I remember appearing on Mayor Art's show (Art Findley) on KRON a couple of times and once on Captain Satelite's show (Bob March) on KTVU. I just found a website about both of them if you're interested in traveling down memory lane with me.
San Francisco Kid's Shows
Another favorite was Pat McCormick's Charlie and Humphrey Show.
You don't see much of that kind of television anymore. Mr. Rogers was the last of his kind. The newcomers are all way too commercialized.
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