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 s o 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 a nother 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. W ith
encouragement they could be the next Captain Kangaroo or Mr.Rogers

Thanks for this post
I remember racing home from school every day just to watch Captain
Kangaroo
I was unaware of this

Great post
True heroes, most definitely and there are lots more we will never get
to know about.

To them and all the other unsung heros: Thanks for all you've done and
given for our continued freedom!

had no idea...thanks

Good post, Izzy. Thank you for posting.

Great one izzy thanks!

thanks for the post Izzy

Enlightening and great! Thanks izzy!

Thanks Izz. I knew he was in the CVorps but had not heard the story.
I have a ton of respect for these guys that have served and fought and
died sowe can have what we do.
Not one to shed a lot of tears but hearing some of the stories about
what these ppl and their buddies went through really does job on the
heart strings.