Real Heroes

Thursday, February 22, 2007
Real Heros

Here is something given to me by a friend. I thought it spoke volumes and I hope you do also.

Captain Kangaroo passed away on January 23, 2004 at the age of 76. (DOB: 6/27/27) His death reminded me of the following story.

Some people have been 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 movie star who served his time, why the hell does he rate burial with these guys????

Well, following is the amazing answer: I always liked Lee Marvin as an actor but never knew 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 was in the heat of battle. 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 testament on the true character of the man, Lee 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” “yeah, yeah… I got shot square in the butt 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 on 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 me a smoke and passed it to me, lying on my belly on the litter and said, “wher’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.
You and I know Sergeant Keeshan as Bob Keeshan, our one and only Captain Kangaroo!!!!

On another note, there was this wimpy little man (who just passed away) on PBS, gentle and quiet. He is another of those you would least expect of being anything but what he portrayed to out youth. His name, Mr. Rogers; he 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 and kill in a heartbeat. After the war Mr. Rogers became an ordained Presbyterian minister and 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 hero’s 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 hero’s 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.

(I’m also sure that Captain Kangaroo and Mr. Rogers would want us as ordinary citizens to protect those rights and freedoms they so bravely fought for. We don’t need unnecessary wars and government restrictions on our constitutionally guaranteed freedoms, else we diminish the sacrifices of our hero’s. We must now be the non-combat heros. Stand up and be heard. It’s our patriotic duty!!!)
Labels: duty, freedoms, heros, patriots, war

posted by jaybird @ 3:19 PM 2 Comments Links to this post
Sunday, February 11, 2007