Today marks the day that the United States Flag was raised on Mt. Surabachi on Iwo Jima, Japanese Territories, during the battle for that island in World War II in 1945.

Joe Rosenthal, an AP photographer, has been credited with the iconic photograph that has defined the spirit of the Marine Corps since then; it has also been turned into the Marine Corps Memorial in Washington DC.

The Photograph as taken was composed in landscape mode, and snapped as a reflex to what was going on, according to accounts by Rosenthal and others:

The flag raisers are (left to right) Ira Hayes, Franklin Sousley, John Bradley and Harlon Block, Michael Strank (behind Sousley) and Rene Gagnon (behind Bradley). Strank, Block and Sousley would die shortly afterwards. Bradley, Hayes and Gagnon became national heroes within weeks. Bradley managed to put his life back together, Gagnon was dealing with memories the rest of his life, and Ira Hayes could not process his actions against the reaction of the public – he ended up drinking himself to death, lamenting the loss of so many men on Iwo Jima and him being treated as the “Hero” by public and press alike.

An AP photo editor cropped the image and it became a rally point for the US:

Shortly after “THE” photo was snapped, a picture was taken to commemorate the occasion:

This is the picture Rosenthal was thinking of when asked if the Iwo Jima Flag picture was posed. You see, Joe was still on the island, and had not seen the edited version that was already being published across the United States.

And yes, the Rosenthal picture is the second flag to be raised on Surabachi. That fact was never hidden, but the press didn’t think that told the story strongly enough. No foreshadowing here, folks. No snarky remarks about how improved and less manipulative the media has become.

The first flag raisers were Hank Hansen (without helmet), Boots Thomas (seated), John Bradley (behind Thomas) Phil Ward (hand visible grasping pole), Jim Michaels (with carbine) and Chuck Lindberg (behind Michaels). Photo by Lou Lowery 1000hrs 23FEB1945.

On this day, let us remember all those who served and lost that day.

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Happy Birthday, Marines. You don’t look a day over 225.

Still lean, still mean – still the fightin’ machine.

I am proud of the time I spent in the Corps, even more proud that there is still a Corps to serve in. I count several family members as Brothers, including my father (David K, miss you dad), a brother (Robear), a Brother who is like a brother (Eric A.), another Brother like a brother (Richard), a brother in law (Mel), and a nephew (Stev). I count many Brothers as family, including Bob, Kenny, Eric H., Fred, John P., Don, Del, Johnny, Jesse, John B., Monty, Ken, Roy, Henry, Mike (Big Meeg!), … heck, I’m probably forgetting a bunch of them here … GySgt Ron Garcia (Beirut, RIP Brother); every single battery operated grunt that ever humped a PRC; of course all the Marines – past and present – who ever served in Third Battalion Fifth Marine Regiment …

There’s a long line of Brothers waiting to be remembered here, so pardon me while I drift off and start thinking of each and every one of them.

“Many people go through their lives wondering if they made a difference. The Marines don’t have that problem.” – Ronald Reagan, 1985

Chat ya later…

Thank you for stopping by, In GOD We Trust, God bless you all, don’t buy or breed cats or dogs while homeless pets die (spay, neuter & adopt a pet, one by one, until there are none), Wear Red on Fridays, and support Warriors for Innocence!

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To all the veterans who stop by – thank you for your service.

To all my blogging buddies (I’m not going to list you, because I will invariably forget someone who served) who are veterans – thank you for your service.

Please take a moment and visit the blog of Captain Rob Yllescas, who happens to be one of the most recent recipients of the Purple Heart. President Bush awarded this medal to this hero. CPT Yllescas’ wife, Dena, described the event as “a completely bittersweet moment.” She is very proud of her husband, and his service, but still, she said “Although this award is an honor, it’s one I wish my husband NEVER had to receive.” President Bush was truly moved, and if you read the entry for November 10, 2008 you will see how this President showed his class.

I had a good weekend – drove cab both nights, and with the Coyotes playing, NASCAR in town for the weekend, and various concerts and whatnot going on, there were a lot of responsible people calling cabs instead of trying to drive themselves. Saturday evening I had the honor of picking up three of NASCAR’s special armed forces guests – three Sergeant Majors of the Army – and taking them to Westgate for some local color. Of course, they received a military discount, and my heartfelt thanks for their service.

Saturday morning, I had breakfast with Gawfer (a Navy vet, by the way) at Wild Horse Pass – he was in town for a vendor weekend and was forced to stay at a resort and play two rounds of golf on the Wild Horse courses. Poor guy. Good seeing you, Gawfer. If my conversation was a little spotty, remember that I had just come off a twelve hour cab shift…

Thank you for stopping by, In GOD We Trust, God bless you all, listen to The O Word on BlogTalkRadio, Wear Red on Fridays, and support Warriors for Innocence!

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Secret Message to Cimarron: Happy Birthday, Scooterbutt. I love you.