My Opinion Counts

A friend sent me the following post about people who defend our freedom. They aren't always who you'd think. Since I have been posting about patriotism on my blog, I thought this was an interesting read...


> 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, 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."
> > On other 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 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 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