Hidden Heros

[Southern Man]

I got this in an e-mail pass along but I thought the story was worth passing along myself. I try not to perpetuate too much of this stuff but I just liked this one......

Silent Heroes

America's real heroes sometimes hide from us in plain
view and in packages that we'd least suspect.

Quite a few of us grew up with Captain Kangaroo, as
you or your Children probably did. I knew nothing of
his background, only that his Show was both
entertaining, educational, and as kids, we looked
forward to it with great anticipation. Captain
Kangaroo turned 76 recently, which is odd, because
he's never looked a day under 76 . (DOB: 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 ass 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
bastard 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?' 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
... 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 quite. Mr. Rogers
is another on 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 sleeve sweater to cover the many tattoos
on his forearm and biceps. A master in small arms and
hand-to-hand combat, his was able to disarm or kill in
a heartbeat. He hid that away and won our hearts with
his quiet wit and charm.

[surlyjoe]

wow! thats awesome!!

[kat]

its a good thing no one ever got lippy with MR Rogers

[mookydooky]

I hate to tell you guys, but both the Captain Kangaroo and Mr. Rogers stories are complete fabrications. Here's a couple of links to some additional info.

http://www.snopes.com/military/keeshan.htm

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

[kat]

ill still bet MR Rogers was packin a 9 under that sweater

[cloasters]

I don't know. Which version is true? Which version is false? If untrue, it's a shame. These items certainly strike a powerful chord. Perhaps this makes them suspect. Inflated, deflated. And so it goes.

[Daniel ~]

I think it matters little. The Capt. and Mr. Rogers gave America's children a hand to hold.

"It can't be bought and it can't be sold
yet it weighs more than all their gold
just a hand to hold."

How many a young man learned that gentleness is the most enduring form of courage from these two men who completely departed from the traditional male image of the "Strong silent type?

Both men as I recall had higher degrees in Child Psychology.

[Southern Man]

Well I came back here to report to you all that it was a farce but it looks like Mooky got the scoop before I did.

I have to agree with Daniel~. I am one of the alumni of the Cpt. Kangaroo & Fred Rogers schools of how to be human. I wouldn't trade the lessons learned for anything.

Oh well, another Internet Legend debunked.....

[mookydooky]

Originally posted by Southern Man


I am one of the alumni of the Cpt. Kangaroo & Fred Rogers schools of how to be human. I wouldn't trade the lessons learned for anything.

Personally, I was more of a Sesame Street and Electric Company kid. I do hope you are aware that Morgan Freeman was the former Easyreader (in addition to a bunch of other characters like Count Dracula) on the Electric Company.

[Southern Man]

Originally posted by mookydooky


Personally, I was more of a Sesame Street and Electric Company kid. I do hope you are aware that Morgan Freeman was the former Easyreader (in addition to a bunch of other characters like Count Dracula) on the Electric Company.

How could you forget Fargo North DeCoder......

Hey You Guys !!!!

Or,


It's the plummer, I'm here to FIX THE SINK !!!

I know... not Freeman but you got me thinking.

[mookydooky]

Originally posted by Southern Man


Hey You Guys !!!!

No, no, no. That's wrong. It's:


HEY YOU GUYYYYSSSSS!!!!!

[Southern Man]

:-D :-D :-D

Yea, That's it.... !!!!!!

[cloasters]

I couldn't accept either of them as "real." That's a shame. There weren't any nice adult males in my neighborhood. Oh whaa was me.

[Daniel ~]

Hoody Doody, Cukla Fran and Ollie, Cecil and Beanie, The Buster Brown Show got me started and on my way each day.

[Southern Man]

Hey.............

What about Gumby and Pokie?

What about Davey And Goliath ?

What about Romper room?

Were these just local shows or were they syndicated?

Did no one ever remind you to be a "Good Bee"

[cloasters]

The Andy Devine Show rocked. "Froggy" really tickled me! Andy had a million dollar voice. I liked Howdy Doody, too--but no "Froggy."

Gumby, Davie and Romper Room were national. Mongo did not like Romper Room.

[Daniel ~]

Froggy was pure evil! I love him still! ":O}

[cloasters]

All I remember about Froggy is that he always appeared from a puff of white smoke, with a "~boing" sound effect to herald his presence. The kids in the studio audience ALWAYS went wild with laughter when Froggy appeared. I did, too.

I wonder if Stewie, of Family Guy fame is related to Froggy? Kinda doubt it. There's evil, then there is evil. I confess, I love Stewie. He's my fave anti-hero.

[LutaWicasa]

Well..........if it's any consolation, dear old Julia Childs served in the OSS during WWII.
Served in DC, Sri Lanka and China