Lee Marvin, Capt. Kangaroo, & Mr. Rogers - Who Knew?

[Don Ro]

A recent email:
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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 )
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His death reminded me of the following story.
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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.
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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.
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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!
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If that is a surprising comment on the true character of the man,he credits his sergeant with an even greater show of bravery.
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Dialog from "The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson": His guest was Lee Marvin...
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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."
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"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.
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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.
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He did this on more than one occasion because his men's safety was more important than his own life.
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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!"
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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."
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~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
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On another note, there was this wimpy little man on PBS,(who passed away), gentle and quiet. Mr. Rogers is another of those you would least suspect of being anything but what he now portrays to our youth.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
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Merry Christmas, all.

[asphaltgambler]

WOW!! - I don't know what to say...........................

[jmaxwell]

Unfortunately, according to Snopes, almost none of the story is true. Lee Marvin was wounded, but on Saipan, and rec eived a purple heart, but no navy cross. Cpt kangaroo enlisted just before the a-bomb was dropped, and saw no combat. Mr. Rogers was not in the military at all. Too bad!

[Don Ro]

No kidding?
I should have ck'd.
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As you were, troops.
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ps My "Merry Christmas, all." is true. He He.

[Gogar]

Great Story!!

Not true, but still feels great.

[BlueSkyJaunte]

Sorry.

snopes.com: Captain Kangaroo and Lee Marvin

[Don Ro]

You know, I get alot of goofy emails like this from a friend of mine who's pushing 80.
'Seems these old folks like to fantasize with these type BS stories. Oh well, she's a special lady, anyway...I like her.

[ckelly78z]

Captain Kangaroo and Mr. Rogers are heros nonetheless for thier roles in shaping childrens lives.....Ahhh it was such a simpler time with 3 channels on the TV, no video games or cell phones, and no internet to spoil the innocence.

[URY914]

I only got half way thru it and my BS alarm was going off.

[jcommin]

Originally Posted by jmaxwell

Unfortunately, according to Snopes, almost none of the story is true. Lee Marvin was wounded, but on Saipan, and rec eived a purple heart, but no navy cross. Cpt kangaroo enlisted just before the a-bomb was dropped, and saw no combat. Mr. Rogers was not in the military at all. Too bad!

Very true. Just about all of it is false. This has come up a few times only to be refuted. nice tall tale.

[afterburn 549]

Also,,to sift the sand here ,I have seen SNOPES wrong on occasion.....So, Where and how is the final battle for the truth decreed?

[Noporscheform]

Can't say that without providing the examples of where they were wrong.

[afterburn 549]

It was all in a thread here with examples a few months ago......I am not going to take the time to find it........Just quoting from it loosely

[Buckterrier]

Originally Posted by ckelly78z

Captain Kangaroo and Mr. Rogers are heros nonetheless for thier roles in shaping childrens lives.....Ahhh it was such a simpler time with 3 channels on the TV, no video games or cell phones, and no internet to spoil the innocence.

+1 And IMHO Mr. Marvin was also a hero for the great entertainment he gave us.

[afterburn 549]

L.M. seemesd like a nice humble guy. Loved his voice !

[URY914]

Dirty Dozen. Seen it at least a dozen times.

[afterburn 549]

Dont for get Cat Ballou, and Paint your Wagon !

[azasadny]

My father send me this same email every 6 months or so and I have to remind him REPEATEDLY that it's not true... He really wants to believe it!