THINGS I NEVER KNEW ( long but a good read)

[Celtic_Crippler]

A buddy of mine that didn't have the good sense to get out of the Service when I did sent this to me. LOL. Anyway, I knew about Lee Marvin serving in the Marines, but I had no idea about the rest! It just goes to show that those that are truely heroic, don't feel the need to brag about it and they also try to give back to the world. Enjoy!

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 a famous movie star but only 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 Marine 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.

Dialogue 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 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 SOB 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 portrays to our youth. But Mr. Rogers was a U.S. Navy Seal, combat-proven in Vietnam with over 25 confirmed kills to his name. He wore a long-sleeved sweater on TV, to cover the many tattoos on his arms. 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 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.

[dubljay]

Thanks for the post CC. I knew about Mr. Rodgers, but not Lee Marvin or Bob Keeshan. Heros to be sure.

[thedan]

CC, outstanding post. And a little humbling. Should also put the shrill cries of those who hate our military and the service men and women who protect our freedoms into perspective. Thanks.

Dan C

[Southwell]

Wow, thanks for the post, CC.

[Texas Kenpo]

WOWZER. Captain Kangaroo and Mr. Rogers..........DARN!

[Celtic_Crippler]

Imagine getting your butt kicked by Captain Kangaroo or Mr. Rodgers. Can you say "concussion?" ....Sure, I knew ya could.

[seca2man]

Folks:

Not to detract from the point of thread, but are we sure about the military service and histories of Bob Keeshan and Fred Rogers? Check out these 2 links from Wikipedia on both men:

Fred Rogers: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fred_Rogers (See Urban Legends section at bottom)

Bob Keeshan: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bob_Keeshan (See Trivis Section at bottom)

If someone has other links or sources, I'd be interested in reading them.

Sean

[dcastiglione]

Sorry people, urban legends again..
Lee Marvin True, the otherss, no.

http://www.snopes.com/military/marvin.asp
http://www.snopes.com/radiotv/tv/mrrogers.asp

[Celtic_Crippler]

The "yellow" is copied directly from the e-mail my buddy sent. I had heard the Mr. Rogers one may false. At any rate, lets not forget the actual message that is trying to be conveyed. Humility and generosity.

[ronin6]

The "yellow" is copied directly from the e-mail my buddy sent. I had heard the Mr. Rogers one may false. At any rate, lets not forget the actual message that is trying to be conveyed. Humility and generosity.

Good points. Even a possible urban legend has a lesson if you look close enough.

[thedan]

Urban legend or not, they all agree that Lee Marvin served in combat, and Bob Keeshan volunteered to serve in time of war in a branch of the service that was most likely to send him into some of the worst fighting of that war. That some would perpetrate a hoax about these people speaks to their dishonour, not to the honor of the people involved. At least two of them apparently did serve, and we don't know about the third. But, you can ask yourself, "What have I done?"

Did you serve your country?
Do you honor those that did? Or those that made the ultimate sacrifice?
Or did you dishonour them by protests against them and supporting politicians that persecute them?

I'm not asking any one to answer publicaly. Just something to think about. To those that did serve, and again I'm not asking you to identify yourself, I do say "Full Salute!"

Dan C

[Takai]

I'm not asking any one to answer publicaly. Just something to think about. To those that did serve, and again I'm not asking you to identify yourself, I do say "Full Salute!"

Dan C

Indeed.

[John Brewer]

Full Salute!

[ronin6]

Urban legend or not, they all agree that Lee Marvin served in combat, and Bob Keeshan volunteered to serve in time of war in a branch of the service that was most likely to send him into some of the worst fighting of that war. That some would perpetrate a hoax about these people speaks to their dishonour, not to the honor of the people involved. At least two of them apparently did serve, and we don't know about the third. But, you can ask yourself, "What have I done?"

Did you serve your country?
Do you honor those that did? Or those that made the ultimate sacrifice?
Or did you dishonour them by protests against them and supporting politicians that persecute them?

I'm not asking any one to answer publicaly. Just something to think about. To those that did serve, and again I'm not asking you to identify yourself, I do say "Full Salute!"

Dan C

Well put!

[hemi]

You Might Not Ever Guess:

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 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:



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. Bu llets 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? I replied:
"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 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.

Mod Note thread merged with the original thread that CC posted first.
I didn’t realize someone had all ready posted this.

Hemi.

[NickName99]

We covered this in another thread, Fred Rogers was never in the service.
Its an urban legend.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fred_Rogers
the quite ones....

[kihon]

Interesting, but the thing about Mr. Rogers being a Navy SEAL is merely an urban legend, and no records indicate any military service.

Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mister_...#Urban_legends

EDIT: Seems you posted before I could finish writing my post up, NickName99...

[Mikael151]

http://www.snopes.com/military/marvin.asp .

[Martin Seck]

Doh! I only wish it was true.

[NickName99]

Yeah its an urban legend,
kinda like one of our members.

Yeah you guess it. It's Rob Broad.
He is actually a machine sent from the future to to terminate Sarah Conner and run for government.

Here is a pic I found of him from 1984
http://www.imdb.com/gallery/ss/00882...=0088247&seq=6
ROB
Robotic
Organic
Being

COKE
Cognitive
Operating
Killing/Kenpo
Energy

We now know your secret Rob!