rumitoid

Cut and paste from an email an old friend sent:
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 another note, there was this wimpy little man on PBS, (who has also passed away) , 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 k**ls 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 k**l 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.

Send this on, will you please? Nothing will happen to you if you don't, but you will be awakening others to what a true HERO is made of...

rhomin57 Loc: Far Northern CA.

Wow! you know me- I'm touched to the heart and through to the bone! I had no idea! I watched Captain Kangaroo with Mr. Green Jeans before going to kindergarten through 2nd grade. Who would have ever known!
I was older when it came to Mr. Rogers, and his intertainment was for the real young ones, but I recall his very gentle nature.
What an excellent Post! 4 - stars in my book~
(PS I just watched an older war movie of Lee Marvin last night. He was great. Liked him best in Paint Your Wagon)

rumitoid

This email basically said to me do not judge so quickly. No matter how a person may present, there is often far more depth their being.

rhomin57 Loc: Far Northern CA.

Always! to both!

Btfkr Loc: just outside the Mile High City

:thumbup: :thumbup: Thanks for sharing!

Coos Bay Tom Loc: coos bay oregon

These are good things to know and really never judge a book---

bmac32 Loc: West Florida

It should make people sit up and notice, all the real men of Hollywood are dead and we're left with sis-sees.

Brian Devon

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I did a little research. Fred Rogers never served in the military in any capacity. This bogus story started making the rounds in the 1990s. My guess is that someone was having fun with their keyboard and some very gullible folks took sarcasm a little too literally.

My guess is that Fred wore a sweater because he was cold. Eventually it became part of his show's opening. He was, indeed the gentle man he appeared to be. If you would like to see him as he truly was with adults, google: Congressional PBS funding hearings, Fred Rogers.


BTW, Bob Keeshan (Captain Kangaroo) was the original Clarabell, the clown, on the original "Howdy Doody" show in the 1950s.

Brian Devon

*********
I did a little research. Fred Rogers never served in the military in any capacity. This bogus story started making the rounds in the 1990s. My guess is that someone was having fun with their keyboard and some very gullible folks took sarcasm a little too literally.

My guess is that Fred wore a sweater because he was cold. Eventually it became part of his show's opening. He was, indeed the gentle man he appeared to be. If you would like to see him as he truly was with adults, google: Congressional PBS funding hearings, Fred Rogers.






Also, google: Fred Rogers, sniper, urban myths.

bmac32 Loc: West Florida

Guess the Fred Rogers story will never die but this is where common sense enters, Fred Rogers-Viet Nam-Sniper, Rogers was on TV when, 1953, before our involvement, became a minister in 1963, not much time for sniper training and k*****g isn't what a minister really believes in.

MrEd Loc: Georgia

http://www.listal.com/list/war-heroes-big-screen-war

Here is a small list of hero's during war. Not everyone is listed, but some of them may surprise you.

John Galt Loc: Galt's Gulch

Eddie Alberts is another actor who showed tremendous courage and saved many lives at the risk of his own during the landing at Tarawa.

bmac32 Loc: West Florida

Not really that many surprises, that's when men acted like men, country was first no matter what the party.

Coos Bay Tom Loc: coos bay oregon

Country still is first to me and I don't care what party my fellow Americans wish to be in.We are all Americans first.

bmac32 Loc: West Florida

Not talking regular people like you or me but most of the Hollywood types. Remember when Hollywood said they'd leave the country if Bush was elected the second time?