In honor of those that gave so much, I thought it fitting to post a tribute to all those who have and are serving our country. I encourage each and everyone of you, regardless of age to visit the Iwo Jima Monument in Washington DC. It's not the easiest of the monuments to find; but well worth the effort.
February 1945, the worst battle in Marine Corp history took place in Iwo Jima, just 660 miles south of Tokyo. The 6 men news photographer, Joe Rosenthal caught on film inspired Felix De Welden to capture so well on this monument are: Ira Hayes (1923-1955), Franklin Sousley (1925-1945), John Bradley (1923-1994), Michael Strank (1919-1945), Rene Gagnon (1926-1979), Harlon Block (1924-1945). The bombardment lasted 72 hours and 7,000 Marines perished. Note the 3 names bolded perished on Iwo Jima.
Though this monument/memorial depicts the arduous and tortuous climb the Marines made up Mount Suribachi, it is in honor of and memory of all Marine Dead who served, as well as their comrades who fell fighting at their side. The American Flag flies here 24 hours a day. President Dwight Eisenhower dedicated the monument on November 10, 1951. It's difficult to photograph just the monument (I tried multiple times), there are so many visitors who wish to stand and have the picture taken along side it. The grounds around the monument are beautiful, a wonderful place for a picnic. We saw many picnicking the day we were there. We saw Veterans with tears in their eyes, we saw Boy Scouts; trying to understand.
Being there is very powerful.
On this upcoming Thanksgiving Day of 2009, let us honor and remember and be thankful for all who have served; as well as all those who currently serve.
I remember the movie "Letters from Iwo Jima" directed by Clint Eastwood and nominated in the Oscars for Best Motion Picture of the Year (2007). The film was truly good! ^_^
ReplyDelete:) Amazing this is that i have also seen the movie just a month ago. And trully the movie is amazing. How they were surviving and fighting against enemy it was gr8.
ReplyDeleteI did not like the movie, they did not make it the way it could be.
ReplyDeleteNice Article Sandy !!! Chance to know History.
ReplyDeleteThe post is not about a the movie, but my way to say we have much to be grateful for. I thought visiting the monument was very moving. The picture of these 6 men is well known, but not many know 3 of the six died there, never making it home.
ReplyDeleteSandy
My bad! It was never my intention to talk about the movie. I was just relating your post to it since I have not been to and do not know when will be able to visit Iwo Jima Monument.
ReplyDeleteThis post is great! It lifts up the spirit of heroism and patriotism in you!
Happy Thanksgiving! =D
Bill and I plan on making another trip to "The Wall" so I'll also have to add this to our trip. Happy Thanksgiving Sandy to you and yours.
ReplyDeleteLovely post and good reminder for the season and always!
ReplyDeleteOkay. I want to go to the monument and the movie. You've inspired me! So much history to learn....
ReplyDeleteIt is a very nice way to honor others.
ReplyDeleteHave a Wonderful Thanksgiving!
Hi Sandy, I like the way you wrote about the Iwo Jima monument - it was from the heart. Happy Thanksgiving to you.
ReplyDeleteSorry to ask this here but I couldn't quite figure out what you were trying to say when you commented on my blog. Did you intentionally mean to make a dig at me or did I just take it the wrong way? (serious question!)
You didn't even mention the picture in the post so I don't really understand why you commented.
Apologies for my misunderstanding! Sorry if I was rude!
ReplyDeleteBemused, you weren't rude. Never wrong to ask a question.
ReplyDeleteSandy
Happy Thanksgiving to you too Sandy.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the kind words and for stopping by.
This is really a good movie so watch this three times.
ReplyDeletetennis training
Dang it, once again...people the post is NOT about a movie, it's about a truly moving real life monument.
ReplyDeleteI've been to this memorial, but never read the history of the men. I guess I didn't take enough to read the history of it. It is an awesome memorial.
ReplyDeleteE
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