You Might Not Ever Guess

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, his rank (PVT) and service (USMC). Nothing else. So, why does a famous movie star rate burial with these guys? Here 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.

Private Lee Marvin was a genuine war hero. He won the Navy Cross at Iwo Jima  (only the Medal Of Honor is a higher award).  You may be surprised by that; but what's more, he credits his Sergeant with an even greater show of bravery.

Here is a short piece of dialog from "The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson": Johnny's 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. The 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 and the world knows him as Captain Kangaroo."

On another note, there was this wimpy little man who became famous on PBS as gentle and quiet man. Mr. Rogers is another of those you would least suspect of being anything but what he now portrays to our youth.

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 a pacifist. Vowing to never harm another human he dedicated 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.