Several years ago, I read the book, Flags of Our Fathers, by James Bradley with Ron Powers. Bradley is the son of one of the Iwo Jima flagbearers depicted in the famous Associated Press photograph and now in this U.S. Marine Corps War Memorial in Arlington. He wrote the book to profile his father and the other men who joined him on Mount Suribachi that day. After reading about their experiences before, during and after WWII, I never look at this monument without crying. Instead of seeing six men raising a flag, I see Franklin, Harlon, Mike, John, Rene and Ira. I see the three who survived the month-long battle (the flag was raised on the fifth day of the Battle of Iwo Jima) and the three men who are buried in the island's volcanic sand. It is a beautiful, yet solemn reminder of triumph and tragedy of war.
i've always been sad that the three times i was there, i wasn't able to go to see this. the next time i come, it will be high on my list!
ReplyDeleteMy father, Blair Brown, was a Marine soldier in that war. He was slit (with a knife) from under his arm all the way to his knee and left for dead. The only reason he survived was playing dead. However, I am told, he was never ever the same when he returned from that war. Sadly he died a month before my brother and I were able to meet him.
ReplyDeleteI am a proud American. I fly my American flag 24/7, never taking for granted all the men/women that did/continue to risk their lives for ours/freedom.
God Bless You, Crystal, for sharing your time and talents with us.
Love you for just being you!