New Jen's Horde


Monday, August 21, 2006

"Raising the Flag on Iwo Jima"

 
WW2_Iwo_Jima_flag_raising

Joe Rosenthal, who took this iconic photo in 1945, died Sunday.

This photo is close to my heart, mostly because of my father. He recently retired after 32 years in the U.S. Marine Corps, having served in Viet Nam and Desert Storm, and of course, various peacetime postings. When I was in high school, he spent a great deal of time stationed at the base at Quantico, VA, where every time we entered or left through the main gate we saw their monument to the Marines who raised the flag at Iwo Jima.

quantico

Not long ago, I was surprised to find out that one of men in the picture was the same Ira Hayes, made famous in the Johnny Cash song. Well, made famous to those of us who had fathers who were into Johnny Cash, which just brings it all back to my dad again. You may remember my recent post about how me and Johnny go way back, well, now you know why! About Ira Hayes, apparently he did suffer an ignominious, drunken end much like in the song, but you can check here to read more about him, he's got an interesting story.

So, I just wanted to take this chance to say, "Love you Dad!" You make us all proud!

To read more about the photo itself, including a color-coded picture indicating who the flag raisers were, you can check here.

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Comments:
Great Blog today - thank you so much for sharing. Made me turn my brain on :)
 
Thanks for that, Jen. I've always wondered which one was Ira Hayes. That song just makes me bawl when I hear it.
 
re: being a big fan of Johnny Cash: When we saw Walk The Line, so much of it seemed familiar, like a deja vu experience. When they got to the Johnny Cash show stuff near the end, I realized that my family must have watched that show on tv, as well as whatever else country they could find. I know I saw some of those shows and it totally freaked me out. I'm old enough for part of my history to be...history. ACK!

After we saw that movie, we introduced the girls to the music of Johnny Cash. Some of it is, well, not something I want my wee ones running around singing, but others of it are just so powerful, it makes me cry. His songs with U2 were amazing. I hadn't even listened to his new stuff.

Anyway, thanks for the Ira Hayes ref. Now I know which one he was.
 
I love love love that monument! It's so touching!!!
 
MUCH thanks to your dad for his service.
I so appreciate him!!
 
When I had the chance to see that monument in person, it gave me chills.
 
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