Childhood Heroes

You Might Never Guess

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

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 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.
__________________

*Contirbution by Michael James Anthony

"Here lives a free man. Nobody serves him."
--Albert Camus, writer, philosopher, Nobel laureate (1913-1960)