Captain Kangaroo
HBombToo
Posts: 5,256
Received this in email and thought most would enjoy it as I did
Captain Kangaroo turned 75 recently, which is odd,
because he's never looked a day under 75. (Birthday 6/27/27)
It reminded me of the following story. Hope you enjoy it as much as I did.
Some people have been a bit offended that 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 did not 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 **** 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 gettin' 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. The dumb **** actually stood up on Red beach and directed
his troops to move forward and get the hell off the beach. 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?' And I said:
Well Bob... if you make it home before me, tell Mom to sell theouthouse!
Johnny, I'm not lying... Sergeant Keeshan was the bravest man I ever
knew..... Bob Keeshan... You and the world know him as Captain Kangaroo."
Captain Kangaroo turned 75 recently, which is odd,
because he's never looked a day under 75. (Birthday 6/27/27)
It reminded me of the following story. Hope you enjoy it as much as I did.
Some people have been a bit offended that 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 did not 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 **** 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 gettin' 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. The dumb **** actually stood up on Red beach and directed
his troops to move forward and get the hell off the beach. 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?' And I said:
Well Bob... if you make it home before me, tell Mom to sell theouthouse!
Johnny, I'm not lying... Sergeant Keeshan was the bravest man I ever
knew..... Bob Keeshan... You and the world know him as Captain Kangaroo."
***WAREMTAE***
Post edited by RyanC_Masimo on
Comments
-
Great story!"Just because youre offended doesnt mean youre right." - Ricky Gervais
"For those who believe, no proof is necessary. For those who don't believe, no proof is possible." - Stuart Chase
"Consistency requires you to be as ignorant today as you were a year ago." - Bernard Berenson -
Excellant story!
My father, who fought in Korea as a Marine, loved the story.
Thank you!No excuses!
