A good inspirational read

[BTH284]

I get inspiration from alot of different people. Some on this board and some in the most unusual places.

I thought I would share this with you all. I did not know the entire truth about these fellas. Just some heresay over the years:




You Would Never Have Guessed

Captain Kangaroo passed away on January 23, 2004 as 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 h e 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 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.




Send this on, will you please? Nothing will happen to you if you don't, but you will be telling others what a HERO is made of.

[gottaflylee]

Wow, what a great read. Thanks for sharing this. I am always amazed at what I learn here...

[Capt. Lyndon]

Two words: Simply Awesome. It makes the day to day trials that we all go through seem very trivial compared to these heroes.

[WAHOONBOX]

BRIAN...THAN KS FOR TAKING THE TIME TO SHARE THIS WITH US......IF THE REST OF THE VERMIN DO NOT READ THIS I WILL BUMP IT UP EVERY 20 MINUTES FOR A MONTH UNTIL THE DO!

ROCK ON..........AND I LOVED THE "BANANA MAN....AKA CAPT KANGAROO WITH MISTER GRRENJEANS

AND LEE MARVIN WAS SUPERB IN BIG RED ONE

[20K]

Sorry - Urban legend

http://www.snopes.com/military/marvin.asp

[Bite Me]

Now that's some cool trivia.

BTW, Marvin's best movie, The Dirty Dozen

[Dougiefrshwtr]

These two men that are mentioned were on my Grandmothers TV every morning during the summers while she watched my 2 sisters and I . I remember her telling me about Mr.Rogers and how he fought in war and had tattoos .... I never beleived her. HUH, now i feel stupid.

She and my late grandpa fought in wwll...

God bless them both !

[Squidnation]

There are far too many heros that we can thank to have to make them up.

Nice read - but far from true. Thanks to all those who did serve and to Lee Marvin who was indeed injured in combat. But the story is not true

http://www.snopes.com/military/marvin.asp


Oops 20K snoped it out already. Sorry for the double post

[Bite Me]

There are far too many heros that we can thank to have to make them up.

Nice read - but far from true. Thanks to all those who did serve and to Lee Marvin who was indeed injured in combat. But the story is not true

http://www.snopes.com/military/marvin.asp

Just did a little research and came up with the same result.

Glad it was 20 K and Pino that burst this bubble. Either way heros all!

Next your going to tell me the Dirty Dozen wasn't real.

[shoefish]

While it looks like the story may not be accurate, there could not be a better sentiment- heroes are all around us, and most of the times are hiding from plain view...not asking for recognition or credit...just doing their thing.