[pct-l] Who Are Our Heros?

[hiker97 at aol.com (hiker97@aol.com)]

I might be off base here to post this on the PCT-L, but this story made me think very strongly about the great hikers on the PCT.  The people I look up to.  People like you, may be.  Sorry for the long post.  Anyway here it is:
_______________________________________
"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 be fore 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 knew him as 
Captain Kangaroo." 
 
On another  note, there was this wimpy little man (who has passed away too) on PBS.  He was gentle and quiet.  Mr. Rogers is another of those you would least suspect of being anything but what he portrayed 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 many 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. 
____________________________________________
 
Yes, the greater the hike, the more humble and unassuming the hiker.  Strange isn't it?  Mother Nature will make you humble if you have any illusions of your greatness.  You don't conquer the trail.  You ask to be part of it for a little while and if you are fortunate, your request is granted.
 
My Bronze Star is small potatoes compared to so many others, just like my hiking accomplishments or non-accomplishments  :-).  There are people on this list that are true role models and heroes.   Just my opinion.
 
Sorry again for the long post.  
 
Your hiking buddy, Switchback
PCT Corridor Section Hiker