Hero's are those you would least expect...

You Would Never Have Guessed

Captain Kangaroo passed away on January 23, 2004 at age 76 , which is odd,
because he always looked like he was 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 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 mas ter 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.

Mr. Rogers was a navy Seal with 25 confirmed kills and wore a sweater to cover his tattoos...


FEAR THE SWEATER

That was very interesting thanks for the story Seath.

very interesting

Posting interest

Good post....

but all that stuff about Mr. Rogers is bullshit.

Yeah, was all a fake rumor.

ReconToaster wrote:Good post....

but all that stuff about Mr. Rogers is bullshit.

Not all of it.

He wasn't actually a Navy SEAL, but he was a minister.
He also didn't have tattoos.

awww... it is?
Thats a real bummer

Kasrkin Seath wrote:awww... it is?
Thats a real bummer

I know how you feel. I felt the same way when I found out that Bansai Kittens weren't real.

Mr. Rogers was not only too old to serve in Vietnam, he was a student in theology before that war even started.

He wore those sweaters because his mom knitted them for him.

Impossible! Mr. Rogers won the ultimate showdown!
But yeah theres no way he was a Navy SEAL.