Remembering Iwo Jima - February 19, 1945
Jackson's Junction - Video Blogging, We provide (video), you decide!
Tonight on Scarborough Country, hosted by Joe Scarborough, there was a moving remembrance of the invasion of Iwo Jima on February 19, 1945. Scarborough interviewed Col. Frank Caldwell who led a platoon of 280 men of which only 8 returned. 75,000 lives were lost at Iwo Jima, 6,000 of which were Marines. That was 1/3 of all Marines lost in World War II. This clip is filled with footage and pictures from the invasion.
The most significant statement:
Scarborough to Caldwell: "We owe our freedom to you. I know you all lived through hell on that island, and we can't thank you enough."
Today, on the anniversary of one of the most significant and bloodiest battles in U.S. History, I think it is only fitting we stop and remember the brave souls who fought and died so we could be free.
Enjoy and remember the price of freedom.
Please, leave comments!
*The gang at WIZBANG! also have a great tribute you should check out!
*Thanks to Ace of Spades who reminds us that PBS is running a great documentary: "The Perilous Fight: America's World War II in color." - Thanks Ace! Check out Ace and PBS!
** This is where everybody should stop and remember!
---WATCH-REMEBERING IWO JIMA---
God blessed America with the USMC.
Posted by: JoeS | February 19, 2005 at 02:23 PM
From the decks of Navy transports approaching Iwo Jima, 71,000 Marines, sorted into three divisions, said their prayers. "God, let me give a good account of myself this day". "Lord, strike down these heathens before me with your awesome wrath." "Jehovah, protect me!"
They thought of mom, their best gal, buddies, and home. As they embarked to face the toughest enemy they would ever meet, an enemy whose Bushido Code demanded they fight to the death, they did so with valor. Fully, 1/3 of these Marines died in the next 30-days on that eight square mile island.
We can only imagine the emotions that ran like electricity through the surviving troops when they looked towards the top of 550 foot Mount Surabachi and saw Old Glory flying. Joe Rosentahl's photograph depicting the raising of our flag is etched in our national memory, never to be forgotten. Anyone who doubts this should visit the Marine Corps Monument in Arlington, Virginia.
As a 60-year old Vietnam Vet (1966-1967) whose father fought the Germans in WWII, I will raise my glass today to the brave Marines - many just teenagers - who fought this battle, giving their lives, limbs and sanity, to gain a toehold on the Japanese Islands that resulted in the beginning of the end of WWII. God bless 'em all!
America was truly blessed to have such men. We have them still. Honor our troops and veterans.
Posted by: George Quillivan | February 19, 2005 at 05:17 PM
For a great book about Iwo Jima, have your readers read "For Love of Pete", now being sold at Barnes and Nobel. There is a tribute to those slain at the end of this book with a lost of all known who died on Iwo Jima. Go to http://bellissimapublishing.com/ForLoveofPete.html for additional information! Read About Sgt. Peter Thomas Sirna, The Boy Who Played the Taps on Iwo Jima
Posted by: Penny D Weigand | September 24, 2005 at 11:38 PM
Does anyone remember my great uncle SGT. Joe Linek USMC from NY? He survived Iwo Jima and I have a japenese bayonet that he kept.
Posted by: Frank Garza | October 01, 2006 at 12:19 PM