frogtog Posted June 27, 2008 Posted June 27, 2008 You Would Never Have Guessed 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 (who 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. Quote
Ballpark Frank Posted June 27, 2008 Posted June 27, 2008 The story about Lee Marvin is partially true. He was a decorated WWII Pacific Theater Marine, but the decoration was a Purple Heart. There is no record of him serving at Iwo Jima either. Bob Keeshan was a Marine, but never served at Iwo Jima, never experienced combat, and never was awarded the Navy Cross. The Mr. Rogers story is almost completely false. Fred Rogers was never in the military. He graduated in 1951 from Rollins College in Florida with a degree in music. He had a career in broadcasting for over 50 years. He did earn a Divinity degree and was ordained in 1962, though. These Urban Legends surface so often that people take them as fact, usually because they have heard them before. Quote
frogtog Posted June 27, 2008 Author Posted June 27, 2008 Wonder why someone would send me that if it wasn't true. Can't trust anybody these days. Quote
Daniel My Brother Posted June 27, 2008 Posted June 27, 2008 I want to believe this, I really do, but Bob Keeshan's Wikipedia page disputes the story... "Keeshan was born in Lynbrook, New York, and attended Fordham University after serving in the United States Marine Corps reserve during World War II. A persistent rumor is that actor Lee Marvin appeared on "The Tonight Show" and said he had served in the Marine Corps fighting alongside Keeshan at the Battle of Iwo Jima. Marvin never told the story, never served on Iwo Jima (having been invalided out after the battle of Saipan months earlier), and Keeshan never saw combat or overseas duty, having enlisted just before the end of the war." Quote
Ballpark Frank Posted June 27, 2008 Posted June 27, 2008 Email is usually the way these stories get passed around. The first time I ever got it, the Mr. Rogers story said that he was Marine Sniper with 150 confirmed kills in Vietnam and helped train GySgt Carlos Hathcock. Another friend sent me a later version that included the Navy Seal Rogers twist. When I refuted it, he tried to convince me that the TV show and such were his cover, because Seals never reveal their true identities. ;D Quote
Daniel My Brother Posted June 27, 2008 Posted June 27, 2008 Was Mr. Rogers gay? No, but Barney the Dinosaur is. Quote
Evan Pease Posted June 27, 2008 Posted June 27, 2008 Barney? A huge purple dinosaur that hangs with little kids? Surely not! Quote
Jake P Posted June 27, 2008 Posted June 27, 2008 This thread is heading in th wrong direction :-/. Gay dinosaurs and old guys is too much for me. Quote
moby bass Posted June 27, 2008 Posted June 27, 2008 You can read about this at Snopes. http://www.snopes.com/military/marvin.asp Quote
fishbear Posted June 27, 2008 Posted June 27, 2008 Was Mr. Rogers gay? No, but Barney the Dinosaur is. and Barney makes good target practice. I have some 4 ft. rifle targets of the purple beast.... love putting holes in them,, ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D Quote
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