From my friend who normally sends me funny stuff; this time it's serious stuff. Still good.
Why Did Mr. Rogers Wear A Sweater?
Captain 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 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 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,
he also dedicated 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 if you do, you will be awakening others to
what makes a HERO.
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