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m4a1usr
11-02-2010, 11:01 PM
I thought I would post this with the coming Veterans day Holiday right around the corner.

John

So why did Mr. Rogers always wear a sweater?
Small facts about some of our nations not so glorified heroes in honor of the up comming Veterans day Holiday. True Heroes do not seek the spotlight. They serve for the real reason men of honor do. To protect the citizens of our great nation.


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 ) His death reminded me of the following story.

Some people have been a bit offended that the actor, Lee Marvin (Major in the movie Dirty Dozen), 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 didn't 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 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.. 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."

...........

Now to the topic, there was this wimpy little man (who has passed away) on PBS, a gentle and quiet man. Mr. Rogers, he was another of those you would least suspect of being anything but what he portrayed to our youth. But eluding public knowledge was the fact that Mr. Rogers was a U.S. Navy Seal, combat-proven in Vietnam with over twenty-five confirmed kills to his name. He always 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..

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.

Take the time to thank anyone that has fought for our freedom. With encouragement they could be the next Captain Kangaroo or Mr. Rogers.

Flying Scotsman
11-04-2010, 12:48 PM
Well said John, the true heroes do not boast about their accomplishments.

Douggie

Rumdog
11-04-2010, 04:20 PM
False: http://www.snopes.com/radiotv/tv/mrrogers.asp

Rumdog
11-04-2010, 04:23 PM
http://www.snopes.com/military/celebrities/leemarvin.asp

AndyKunz
11-04-2010, 05:16 PM
But at least with those guys, it's a believable story.

How many stars could you even IMAGINE doing something like that?

Here's ONE (and yes, there's some embellishment in the e-mail version):

http://www.snopes.com/politics/military/denzel.asp

Andy

Rumdog
11-04-2010, 05:21 PM
I remember one recently. He was a pro football player. He was killed by "friendly fire", and it was covered up by our awesome government.

AndyKunz
11-04-2010, 06:58 PM
Apparently they didn't cover it up so well, since we all knew that had happened right away. Maybe they just weren't trying.

Andy

m4a1usr
11-04-2010, 07:03 PM
Sorry about that folks. Looks like I passed along some of that urban legend stuff. Got an email from someone and thought I would share it, would have been good timing with the Veterans Day Holiday coming up. Lesson learned for me!

John

Flying Scotsman
11-04-2010, 07:10 PM
The point is still valid though...true heroes do not boast and it is important to remember the valiant members of many nations who fell in the cause of duty.

Douggie

Rumdog
11-04-2010, 07:10 PM
Apparently they didn't cover it up so well, since we all knew that had happened right away. Maybe they just weren't trying.

Andy

They just didn't count on the medical examiners doing their jobs I guess. Or the scene being investigated. It was too obvious a cover up.

AndyKunz
11-09-2010, 07:32 PM
Obvious != coverup

Sometimes people have more important things to do like FIGHT THE BAD GUYS rather than IMAGINING CONSPIRACIES.

Andy

Rumdog
11-09-2010, 08:39 PM
Yep. I'm just making it up.
Too funny.