Iwo Jima, 1945, World War II was at the peak of being finished in Japan. American Marines decided to take a stance and be remembered for their victory. There is an exceptional amount of events from World War II, that can be depicted to truly find what the memorial signifies.
While there may be an enormous memorial of the men, in resemblance of the photograph once taken in Iwo Jima, there is not grounds to sit and admire the victory that stands right before the eyes of the people.
While there may be an enormous memorial of the men, in resemblance of the photograph once taken in Iwo Jima, there is not grounds to sit and admire the victory that stands right before the eyes of the people.
The Iwo Jima Memorial, also known as the U. S. Marine Corps War Memorial, honors the Marines who have died defending the United States since 1775. Iwo Jima Memorial is located near Arlington National Cemetery, in Arlington, Virginia, just across the Potomac River from Washington, DC (dc.about). While gazing, looking up to the 32-foot-high sculpture of the Iwo Jima Memorial you will find that it was inspired by a Pulitzer Prize winning photograph during one of the most historic battles of World War II. Iwo Jima, a small island located 660 miles south of Tokyo, was the last territory that U.S. troops recaptured from the Japanese during World War II. The Iwo Jima Memorial statue depicts the scene of the flag being raised by the remaining 5 out of 40 Marines, that parachuted down and a Navy hospital corpsman that signaled the successful takeover of the island. While the capture of Iwo Jima eventually led to the end of the war in 1945.
Figures of the Marines in the Iwo Jima Memorial statue erect a 60-foot bronze flagpole from which a cloth flag flies 24 hours a day. The base of the memorial is made of rough Swedish granite which is inscribed with the names and dates of every principal member of the U. S. Marine Corps. Also engraved are the words "In honor and in memory of the men of the United States Marine Corps who have given their lives to their country since November 10, 1775"(Camp). Dates of each war, Marines have contributed to are engraved around the top of the entire statue, along with their purpose. When looking closely at the statue one can tell the immense amount of time that went into sculpting this masterpiece. After evaluating the monument to the photograph that was taken on the victorious day, they are immaculate to one another. The detail is so marvelous as to feeling as though moment just happened.
On February 20,1945, the 28th Marine Regiment advanced to take the heavily fortified volcanic mountain. After a furious four-day assault, infantrymen supported by massive naval gunfire, artillery, and aerial bombardment finally subdued the Japanese garrison holed up inside. On February 23, a 38-man patrol worked its way to the summit and raised a small American flag. Hours later a second, larger flag went up. That was the moment Joe Rosenthal caught on film (Camp). On a tour, a gentleman named Billie Griggs, explained in an interview, that he was a rifleman during the battle with the 28th Marines, Griggs expressed, while tears forming in his eyes when he saw the flag being raised. Griggs also explained how "horns and sirens all over the island erupted and even the ships offshore chimed in." Unfortunately out of the 6 men who were captured in the photograph while the flag was being raised. 3 out of the 6 men were later killed in the 35-day battle, in the end it costed the lives of 6,821 American soldiers. Over the entire war, the were a total of 19,189 American soldiers wounded and over 20,000 Japanese soldiers that died(Camp).
Fast forwarding today’s present time, as Camp landed on the beach for the celebration of the 2012 Reunion of Honor, the 67th such annual pilgrimage at which representatives of the United States and Japan collaborate to honor the many thousands of men who had fallen on Iwo Jima. Camp could see the entire midsection of the island, from the 550-foot height view, just as the defenders could see. Thus the Japanese could call down to fire on any of the invading force, until the Marines had ripped it away. Unfortunately the reunion is the only time nonmilitary visitors are allowed on Iwo Jima. But during the reunion U.S. Marines based on Okinawa provide transportation and medical support for the yearly event. As visitors are able to cast a memorable view, they are able to see A pristine white monument dedicated to the 5th Marine Division, which raised the famous flag, sits on the forward edge of the peak, facing the landing beach. In tribute, visiting service personnel have draped hundreds of dog tags on the division insignia and the two Marine emblems that jut from the memorial's face(Camp).
While our Marines are most remembered for one the worlds most bloodiest battles, we still today have 7,000 Marines currently serving in Afghanistan's Helmand province. They are "doing what they do best: showing the Afghan people they have no better friend, and showing our adversaries they have no deadlier enemy, than a Marine”(Miles). With that said as the 9th of November passes, the Marines will celebrate their 238-year legacy. After the celebration of the Marine legacy, President Obama decided to recognize one of the oldest veterans on Veterans Day, the Army, honored 107-year-old Army veteran Richard Overton. “Army Vice Chief of Staff Gen. John F. Campbell said Overton volunteered for service in 1942, and was a member of the Army's 188th Aviation Engineer Battalion, an all-black unit that served on various islands in the Pacific”(Ferdinando). Overton, was seated next to the monument of all his fellow Marine’s. President Obama wanted to give the recognition to Overton, that was well overdue in Obama’s eyes. To be able to have such a breathtaking memorial, men like Overton fought for the country and many of them gave their lives.
Next time adventure sparks interest, it will for most certainly be worth visiting Arlington, VA. The monument lets spectat see up close and personal all the past Marines that gave their life, dating back 238-years ago. There is room left on the memorial for the future Marines as well. They become brothers when the uniform is first put on, and they may rest in peace a s brothers in the afterlife as well.
Next time adventure sparks interest, it will for most certainly be worth visiting Arlington, VA. The monument lets spectat see up close and personal all the past Marines that gave their life, dating back 238-years ago. There is room left on the memorial for the future Marines as well. They become brothers when the uniform is first put on, and they may rest in peace a s brothers in the afterlife as well.
Next time adventure sparks interest, it will for most certainly be worth visiting Arlington, VA. The monument lets spectate see up close and personal all the past Marines that gave their life, dating back 238-years ago. There is room left on the memorial for the future Marines as well. They become brothers when the uniform is first put on, and they may rest in peace as brothers in the afterlife as well.
Visit the replica memorial of the incredible famous photo that was once taken on that victorious day, they allow civilians to go visit the actual site. “Iwo Jima, now under the jurisdiction of the Tokyo Prefecture, is approximately 670 miles from Japan and two hours by air from Guam. There are no tourist amenities. Travel to Iwo for the annual Reunion of Honor is coordinated through Military Historical Tours based in Woodbridge, Virginia ([email protected]). A U.S. passport is required”(Camp). Now keep in mind, they only allow civilians once a year at the annual ceremony.
Visit the replica memorial of the incredible famous photo that was once taken on that victorious day, they allow civilians to go visit the actual site. “Iwo Jima, now under the jurisdiction of the Tokyo Prefecture, is approximately 670 miles from Japan and two hours by air from Guam. There are no tourist amenities. Travel to Iwo for the annual Reunion of Honor is coordinated through Military Historical Tours based in Woodbridge, Virginia ([email protected]). A U.S. passport is required”(Camp). Now keep in mind, they only allow civilians once a year at the annual ceremony.
Work Cited
Camp, Richard. "Return to Hot Rocks." World War II Sep 2013: 24-6. ProQuest. Web. 19 Nov. 2013. Article.
Camp, Richard. "Return to Hot Rocks." World War II Sep 2013: 24-6. ProQuest. Web. 19 Nov. 2013. Photograph
Cooper, Rachel. "Iwo Jima Memorial- U.S. Marine Corps Memorial” Washington, Dc, 23 October 2013. Web. 11 November 2013. Article <http://dc.about.com/od/monuments/a/IwoJima.htm>
Doerr, Anthony. Memory Wall. New York: Simon & Schuster, Inc., 2011. Print.
Evans, Lt. Bill. U.S. Navy photo, Iwo Jima 16 January 2003. Web. 16 November 2013. Photograph
<jpegtran -crop 1672x1536+0+0 030116-N-1541K-028.jpg MemorialonMtSuribachi.jpg>
Ferdinando, Lisa. Army, Nation Honor 107-Year-Old Veteran. Lanham: Federal Information & News Dispatch, Inc, 2013.ProQuest. Web. 19 Nov. 2013. Article.
Ferdinando, Lisa. Army, Nation Honor 107-Year-Old Veteran. Lanham: Federal Information & News Dispatch, Inc, 2013.ProQuest. Web. 19 Nov. 2013. Photograph
Ferdinando, Lisa. Army, Nation Honor 107-Year-Old Veteran. Lanham: Federal Information & News Dispatch, Inc, 2013.ProQuest. Web. 19 Nov. 2013. Photograph
Miles, Donna. Hagel Honors Marine Corps' 238-Year Legacy. Lanham: Federal Information & News Dispatch, Inc, 2013.ProQuest. Web. 19 Nov. 2013. Article
Unknown, Richard Overton, oldest living WWII Vet to Meet with President, 11 November 2013. Web. 19 November 2013. ArticleUnknown, Richard Overton, oldest living WWII Vet to Meet with President, 11 November 2013. Web. 19 November 2013. Photograph
Camp, Richard. "Return to Hot Rocks." World War II Sep 2013: 24-6. ProQuest. Web. 19 Nov. 2013. Photograph
Cooper, Rachel. "Iwo Jima Memorial- U.S. Marine Corps Memorial” Washington, Dc, 23 October 2013. Web. 11 November 2013. Article <http://dc.about.com/od/monuments/a/IwoJima.htm>
Doerr, Anthony. Memory Wall. New York: Simon & Schuster, Inc., 2011. Print.
Evans, Lt. Bill. U.S. Navy photo, Iwo Jima 16 January 2003. Web. 16 November 2013. Photograph
<jpegtran -crop 1672x1536+0+0 030116-N-1541K-028.jpg MemorialonMtSuribachi.jpg>
Ferdinando, Lisa. Army, Nation Honor 107-Year-Old Veteran. Lanham: Federal Information & News Dispatch, Inc, 2013.ProQuest. Web. 19 Nov. 2013. Article.
Ferdinando, Lisa. Army, Nation Honor 107-Year-Old Veteran. Lanham: Federal Information & News Dispatch, Inc, 2013.ProQuest. Web. 19 Nov. 2013. Photograph
Ferdinando, Lisa. Army, Nation Honor 107-Year-Old Veteran. Lanham: Federal Information & News Dispatch, Inc, 2013.ProQuest. Web. 19 Nov. 2013. Photograph
Miles, Donna. Hagel Honors Marine Corps' 238-Year Legacy. Lanham: Federal Information & News Dispatch, Inc, 2013.ProQuest. Web. 19 Nov. 2013. Article
Unknown, Richard Overton, oldest living WWII Vet to Meet with President, 11 November 2013. Web. 19 November 2013. ArticleUnknown, Richard Overton, oldest living WWII Vet to Meet with President, 11 November 2013. Web. 19 November 2013. Photograph