Iwo Jima Day

 

There was reason to believe the battle for Iwo Jima would be even more ferocious than the others, reason to expect the Japanese defender would fight even more tenaciously.

In Japanese eyes the Sulfur Island was infinitely more precious than Tarawa, Guam, Tinian, Saipan, and the others. To the Japanese, Iwo Jima represented something more elemental: It was Japanese homeland. Sacred ground. In Shinto tradition, the island was part of the creation that burst forth from Mount Fuji at the dawn of history.... the island was part of a seamless sacred realm that had not been desecrated by an invader's foot for four thousand years.

Easy Company and the other Marines would be attempting nothing less than the invasion of Japan.”
― James Bradley, Flags of Our Fathers: Heroes of Iwo Jima

This famous battle, with its world known photo of Marines raising the American flag on what had been Japanese soil during WWII, symbolizes so much sacrifice and lost lives of so many soldiers on both sides of this awful war. These men, exhausted physically and deep in their souls and minds, managed to still raise this flag after fighting and watching friends and brothers fall on the way to this hilltop. 

Some ways to remember include watching the movies "Letters from Iwo Jima" and "Flags of Our Fathers." Watching both will give you a good idea of what both sides went through during that terrible bloody battle. 

There are also veteran memorials in the area that hold names and pay tribute to our veterans. These include one at the flagpole at the Ashton cemetery and another at Staley Springs on the south side of Henry's Lake. However, local veteran Bryan Brumwell of Island Park said these are not necessary. 

"No physical memorials needed," Brumwell wrote. " Live your life the best you can and just never forget that our freedom isn't free!! Love your life as the memorial by doing what you love and exercising your freedoms! Keep us in your prayers if you pray for many of us struggle everyday for deeds we were asked to do. Volunteering wasn't done for a memorial or recognition but because there is something inside that drives us that cannot be described and nothing can capture that besides living your life the best you can and don't forget those who paid the ultimate sacrifice."