Captain Kangaroo and Mr. Rogers? Has anyone ever heard of this before?

no source

[ezo4]

Quite a few of us grew up with Captain Kangaroo. We knew nothing of his background, only that his show was both entertaining and educational. As kids we looked forward to it with anticipation.

Captain Kangaroo turned 76 recently, which is odd because he's never looked a day under 76 (dob: 6/27/27). This brings to mind the following story.

Some people have been offended that the actor Lee Marvin is buried in a grave along side 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 with Lee Marvin as guest: "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 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. Bullets flying by and mortar rounds landing everywhere and he stood there as the main target of gun fire so he could get his men to safety. He did that 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 (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 US Navy Seal, combat proven in Vietnam with over twenty-five confirmed kills to his name. He wore a long sleeve sweater on his show to cover the many tattoos on his forearm and biceps. 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 again 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 the tattoos and his past life 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. Look around and see if you can find one of those heroes in your midst.

[Jaysun]

Also I wish you would return "Everyday Guide for the Ignorant" I was agreeing with you (jokingly I might add)in my first post, >note to self... English teachers are touchy.

Well, I feel like a complete ass. Sorry. TexasTransplant. Are you from Texas or have you recently moved to Texas? I grew up in Waco, but have been living in Huntsville, AL for the past 8 years. I miss being around decent people, good drivers, and real BBQ.

[Louisiana]

cool read bump

[U S Army EOD]

Did you know that not only was Forrest Gump a football hero at the University of Alabama, but he was also Valedictorian of his senior class.

[breakem]

.............and hosted by Andy Devine on TV in the 50s.

[breakem]

PS: Marvin starred in a movie about the indian guy Ira ------ who was in the group which raised the flag on Iwo. He drowned in a puddle of water, after staggering out of a bar and falling down drunk. Ithink that's how Marvin gets associated with Iwo.

[U S Army EOD]

Can you immagine John Wayne saying, "Fill your hand, you S..O..B..", to Pee Wee Herman in a public place?

[U S Army EOD]

Drunken Ira Hayes.

[StACase]

Back in the 1940s, a fellow by the name of Kermit Shaeffer released a series of albums containing radio outtakes under the title Pardon My Bloopers. The records were very popular, even though most of the clips were totally faked (most radio was live, so the shows themselves were lost forever mistakes and all!). Yeah, even the one about the kid show host who thought he was off the air and said "There, that ought to keep the little bastards happy" - that was faked and never happened. Still, Shaeffer created an industry that really grew over time - in fact the word 'Blooper' is a trademark.

[U S Army EOD]

My faith in Captain Kangaroo is restored, maybe Tyke was thinking it.

[Lancey Howard]

My father wanted into the WWII action and signed up with the Navy when he was 17 (I don't want to know how) , but he just missed it. I think the war ended when he was in boot. He was born in 1928. Ended up on a long destroyer cruise up and down the coast of China.

[Tall_Texan]

I am NOT revealing my sources!

[U S Army EOD]

He was probably in some sort of Aggie secret society also.

[breakem]

I think he lived his life out on a reservation and just drank himself into oblivion. Sad!

[Jaysun]

Did you know that not only was Forrest Gump a football hero at the University of Alabama, but he was also Valedictorian of his senior class.


Don't forget that he was also a Vietnam War hero, a successful shrimp boat owner, a "runner" that footsteped across the country for 3 years while growing a robust beard, and an international ping-pong champ. We're taking up pennies from the local school kids so that we can cast a statuette of him. It will hang prominently from the power line that crosses Main Street for all to see.

[Paleo Conservative]

My father wanted into the WWII action and signed up with the Navy when he was 17 (I don't want to know how)

But at that age he was probably a private not a sargeant.

[U S Army EOD]

Please understand that I am not trying to take anything from the accomplishments of the great individual, I was only complementing on the mentality of the average UA student.

I will admit that the student body showed great restraint when they were no longer permitted to do a Christmas play on campus. There were rumors going around that the ACLU had stopped it because of the religious issues. However, those of us in the know, knew it was because they couldn't find three wise men or a virgin on the campus.