"Life is lived forward, but understood backward. It is not until we are down the road and we stand on the mountain looking back through the valley that we can appreciate the terrain God has allowed us to scale.” Jill Savage

Thursday, November 11, 2010

Veterans Day - A Pittance of Time


I want to thank all the active military, all Veterans, and all the families for serving this country and therefore serving me and insuring my freedom and my families freedom.

This song was sent to me from Jerry - it is called A Pittance Of Time and that is certainly what we ought to be able to give to our military men and women.





Now here is something else he send me and I saved it for today.

"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!"

Did you know all this? Awesome isn't it - there are heroes where we least expect it! I tell you I am always learning something new everyday.

Love,
sandie
PS NO BABY NEWS YET - he's late!!!!!!!!!!!

21 comments:

Linda @ A La Carte said...

Sandie this makes me so proud to be an American and proud of these brave men. All of them wonderful examples of bravery. Two of them going on to be leaders in the entertainment of children. My Dad was a career Marine and I honor him today.

Linda @ A La Carte said...

Oh and no wonder my Dad loved Lee Marvin, he knew another brave Marine when he saw one!

Come on Grand Baby! Hopefully soon!

Pat MacKenzie said...

It's so nice to know the history behind men you think you know. Thanks for your enlightening tribute to our heros.

Unknown said...

Thank you so very much for another very honorable mention! It still blows me away that Mr. Rogers was a Navy Seal. Wow, talk about a complete change in a person, but be assured that becoming a pacifist was taking it too far. For defensive actions are most certainly ordained by our Heavenly Father at times.

Susan said...

Hi Sandie...Thanks for remembering our veterans. So many times we just take the "free" day and don't think WHY we have it. Good reminder. Susan

Buttercup said...

Sandie, this is fascinating. Never dreamed that my beloved Captain Kangaroo was a Marine. His son was a year behind me in college.

So excited for baby news!

Terry said...

Howdy Sandie
Wow once again you have brought tears to my eyes with the beauty and wisdom of your post .
God bless you for sharing what this day is about .
It has been a rough week and I wanted to post something but just could not get it together ,However God blessed me greatly when I was smart enough to listen to God and come by for a visit .
You always make my day !
Big Texas size hugs :)
Until next time
Happy Trails

Ginny Hartzler said...

Wow, Sandie, Wow!!! First, I love the pretty song, I like the pipes! But you have BLOWN MY MIND!!! Are you kidding about Mr. Rodgers?? No, so not, I guess. And The Captain! I well remember Lee Marvin, as well, but didn't even know where he was buried. I'm putting this stuff on our prayer line tonight!!! Your blog continues to amaze me every day!!!

Diana Ferguson said...

What a special day for many people we need to remember!

Jules said...

I knew about Captain Kangaroo and Mr. Rogers serving, but didn't know about Lee Marvin! Thanks for sharing!!!

Doris Sturm said...

This was awesome! What an informative post, Sandie. I did not know that! Go figure: Mr. Rogers - who would have thought! He appeared so totally wimpy on his TV program, but that goes to show you that you shouldn't judge a book by its cover!

Happy Veterans Day!

^..^Corgidogmama said...

We've always liked this story about how these actors served, with so much humility.
Sure hope the baby enters the world soon. It must be hard to keep waiting for him!

betty said...

I didn't know that about Lee Marvin et al. Wow, amazing!!

can't believe no baby yet!!

betty

Knitty said...

I knew about Lee Marvin, but not about Bob Keeshan and Fred Rogers. I didn't think I could admire those two more than I already did, but you proved me wrong. Thank you for sharing this story.

Tweedles -- that's me said...

This was a beautiful tribute and well said words!
We stand with you!
love
tweedles

Love Of Quilts said...

I did know this about lee but had forgot it...good post. Trish

Sharon said...

Loved the story about Lee Marvin. I always liked him as an actor. It's nice to know that he was as rugged on the inside, as the roles he played on the outside!

Proud to be an American today!!

And totally free to be "chatty."

xoxo

Nikki (Sarah) said...

I love love love how you always include something that makes me laugh.Maxine is the best. And for shaing background info I never knew..I love finding out stuff like that.

Rose said...

love the video and song. thanks for sharing about lee marvin the hero. rose

Justbereal said...

Thank you for sharing such a wonderful message chatty. Blessings.

Sharon said...

Sharon Kirby said...
Sandie - OH BOY! The little English major in me is jumping UP and down! What fun! I've thought of a few more "ups" (including the one above which I included for free).

Giving up.
Throwing up.
Up until now.
Serving up.
Up in arms.
Things are looking up.
Hands up.
What's up, Doc?

And finally - what I've been doing this week - UP to NO GOOD!!

xoxo
Have a great weekend...

(p.s. In regards to "Aunt of 14"'s comment - I'm adding this - how come one fish is a fish, but you can have also have ten fish? Or one deer is a deer, but you can also have a whole bunch of deer? How come one pair of pants is plural?)

And what's the deal with these weird "spam" verification words?!?! I'm looking at "amperp" - I think that must be a burglar who operates in the wee hours of the morning...just sayin'