You Might Not Ever GuessCaptain 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.
