Honored Veterans
We received an e-mail from our granddaughter, Rebecca Lilly, from Marion, NC that we feel compelled to share with our readers. It concerns the actor Lee Marvin, whom we remembered for him many roles in the movies. He is buried in a grave alongside 3 and 4 star generals at Arlington National Cemetery. His marker gives his name, (PVT) and service (USMC). Nothing else.
When we learn the extent of his Corps experience, we can understand why he is buried in Arlington National Cemetery. In that time, many Hollywood stars served their country in the armed forces, but they were 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 award – the Medal of Honor.
If that is a surprising fact showing the true character of the man, he credits his sergeant with an even greater show of bravery. When he was a guest on The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson, the following dialogue occurred. 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 ass, and they gave me the Cross for securing a hot spot about halfway up Suribach I … 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. 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. He was gentle and quiet. Mr. Rogers is another among those you would least suspect of being anything but what he portrayed to our children.
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 to cover the many tattoos on his forearm and biceps. A master in small arms and hand-to-hand combat, he was able do disarm or kill in a heartbeat. But he hid that away in civilian life and won our hearts with his quiet wit and charm.
On Veteran’s Day it is fitting that we salute our veterans. 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.
On this gray, overcast Veterans Day, November 11, Mary and her class rushed to the window when they heard shots outside. What they saw was a circle of somber, middle-aged men standing at attention around the flag in front of Beeghley Library. They were members of the local Veterans of Foreign wars. Just beyond our view were members of the Bowling Green ROTC. This group of fifteen men were taking part in a brief ceremony honoring those who had given their lives in battle.
In this present time when many servicemen are risking their lives in Iraq and many other countries, it is appropriate that we pause and honor their courage.
– Percy and Mary