The Hobbit Hole V - Where Many Paths and Errands Meet...

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[JenB]

The problem is, there's always water running along the street, and that soaks the snow and freezes it before dawn. So, no chance to remove the hump.

[HairOfTheDog]

A Winter Wonderland!

Good morning!

Gonna stay home today and build a snow-dwarf?

[ItsOurTimeNow]

Eustatia Vye has always been one of my favorite literary characters.

[Wneighbor]

Mornin'!

Did you finish watching the awards on the couch? or fall asleep? :-)

[HairOfTheDog]

We stayed up! Was funny, they were stickin' everyone so tight on time, they finished early and had to fill for a minute with shots of the crowd leaving.

[My back yard]

I just got this in my email. Haven't checked it out to make sure it is true, but. It gave me goosebumps to read it.

Who would have thought it...

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 in 2002 (DOB: 6/27/27), which is odd, because he's never looked a day under 76. 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 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 experience. 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 also credits his sergeant with an even greater show of bravery. While a guest on The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson, Johnny Carson 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 butt 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 guy 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 quiet. Mr. Rogers is another one of those you would least suspect of being anything but what he now portrays to our youth. But Mr. Rogers was a US 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, he was able to disarm or kill in a heartbeat. He hid that away 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 freedom's that we all enjoy.

[Wneighbor]

Troop Information!

Two Hobbit Hole Knife Stories!!!

Okay, I promised everyone that when I got home and got my ping list I would tell everyone the two stories that Tom told me about our Hobbit Hole knives being life-savers! Here goes:

Tom and a group were on patrol and encountered a situation with an Iraqi bent on violent actions. I didn't get the details of what the Iraqi was doing, hopefully we can get more information from Tom when he visits us here. As they were trying to subdue this man Tom had his service weapon with the busines end at the guy's head. The guy was still fighting them. Tom then grabbed the knife from his vest, flicked it open and before he could even get it near the guy, the dude stopped fighting. Tom said the guy didn't even flinch at the prospect of being shot but became completely docile at the sight of the knife! YEA!!!

The other instance of life saving was more indirect but just as important IMO. Tom says there are deep canals full of water on the sides of highways there. He said some of the guys who had been given knives were traveling down one of these roads when they were fired upon by someone. The vehicle overturned into one of those deep canals and the guys in the vehicle were strapped in. They had to use their knives to cut the straps and escape the vehicle underwater. Worst injuries were scratches, bumps and bruises but Tom says that some in those situations drown because they can't get out of the seatbelts or whatever they are. He said the knives definitely saved lives in this instance! WOW.

I was glad to hear of these reports. Makes me feel a little bit more like we're helping to watch those guy's backs! best we can at least.

[Ramius]

Nice story, but unfortunately not exactly true.

[Wneighbor]

There were prolly some people watching who just wanted to see the crowd shots anyway I guess. Glad you got to stay awake and see the whole thing. It was worth it since we came out good in the deal! :-)

[JenB]

It was so boring, I'm impressed that you made it, knowing the outcome.

[Pippin]

GOOD MORNING EVERYBODY!

I'm sorry I'm not here more often than this.

[Ramius]

Woah... way cool... :-)

[Overtaxed]

Did someone call?

[Wneighbor]

Ummm... I've been gone and hadn't added you two to my ping list. You might enjoy checking out post 16687. War story stuff.

[Wneighbor]

Morning Pip! Nice to see ya when you make it in though.

[Wneighbor]

I liked it! Specially the one with my s-i-l involved. I like to think I've helped him out. :-)

(the others too... but, Tom takes care of some of those most special to me!)

[Corin Stormhands]

[ItsOurTimeNow]

Outstanding!

[JenB]

Heh, I like that.

[Professional Engineer]

Look at all those sixes. Glad I'm not near you today. LOL