| United States Army |
| United States Marines |
| United States Air Force |
| United States Navy |
| United States Coast Guard |
| Take a look around and see a hero! |
Captain Kangaroo passed away on January 23, 2004 as 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 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 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. They might be another Captain Kangaroo or Mr. Rogers.
(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 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 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. They might be another Captain Kangaroo or Mr. Rogers.
| Richard Waddell and Crew U S Air Force |
| Charle Stapp U. S. Army |
| Tom Bingaman U. S. Army |
 | |  | |  |
| We Remember and Salute! Our Classmates Who Served Their Country well. |
| Staff Sgt John Stogsdill |
| Harry Miller - Army - Combat Photographer 132nd Infantry Regimen, Specialist 3 Harry's biggest thrill was in 1956 in Washington D.C., when he photographed President Dwight Eisenhower. |
I served in the Army, 32nd Infantry Regimen as
a Specialist 3 -Official Photographer. I always
loved photography and this was quite an
opportunity to gain experience, but was quite
gruesome at times. It is something I shall
never forget, especially being only 18 at the
time.
In May, 1954, I was sent to Korea where I
filmed everything from A to Z, including
several dead bodies. Some included suicides. I
filmed anything the Army required as a Record.
As a Photographer, however, I did have lots of
freedoms. One occasion was when Debbie
Reynolds performed at the USO, I was allowed
to go backstage to take pictures.
I was assigned to the Pentagon in Washington,
D.C. when I left Korea. One assignment was
to photograph helicopter crashes. My biggest
thrill was in 1956 to photograph President
Dwight Eisenhower.
a Specialist 3 -Official Photographer. I always
loved photography and this was quite an
opportunity to gain experience, but was quite
gruesome at times. It is something I shall
never forget, especially being only 18 at the
time.
In May, 1954, I was sent to Korea where I
filmed everything from A to Z, including
several dead bodies. Some included suicides. I
filmed anything the Army required as a Record.
As a Photographer, however, I did have lots of
freedoms. One occasion was when Debbie
Reynolds performed at the USO, I was allowed
to go backstage to take pictures.
I was assigned to the Pentagon in Washington,
D.C. when I left Korea. One assignment was
to photograph helicopter crashes. My biggest
thrill was in 1956 to photograph President
Dwight Eisenhower.
