thedrifter
02-24-08, 08:20 AM
Iwo Jima Veterans Watch Flag-Raising Re-Enactment
Reported by: Katie Crosbie
Saturday, Feb 23, 2008 @06:33pm CST
Sixty-three years ago today, five Marines and a Navy corpsman raised a flag on Iwo Jima -- a moment in time that would be captured forever through a photograph ... Here in Wichita Falls, people watched a re-enactment of the flag-raising ... at the Iwo Jima Survivors Reunion. It was an emotional experience for many of the veterans. They say that flag provided a glimmer of hope -- and home -- during one of the bloodiest battles of the Second World War. The red, white and blue paved the way for Iwo Jima veterans as they entered the presentation – just as their heroic actions, 63 years ago, paved the way for our freedom. “On February 23rd, 1945, five Marines and a Navy Corpsman – doing their duty – little realized that their names would be immortalized in the annuals of history,” said Woody Williams (Medal of Honor recipient). And here in this room – filled with a wealth of memories – that history came to life ... “If you didn’t witness it visually, you probably heard the cheers, the screaming, the guns firing,” said Denis Moody (USN – Retired). So, they watched as young military men reenacted that fateful flag-raising. "We saw it on Mount Surabachi – and the horns and the whistles and everything – cheers of the men - you know, that our flag was up,” said L.D. Cox (USS Indianapolis survivor). Before war's end ... Navy seaman first class L.D. Cox would lose nearly 900 of his shipmates. But on February 23, 1945, when he saw the red-white and blue ... “It gave everyone a feeling that we were winning the battle,” Cox said. “And our flag was there, and was gonna stay there.” “When you see a flag flying, well, it – it means a lot more than I can ever say,” said Kimel Brent (Navy Seabee on Iwo Jima). “That was what we fought for,” Cox said. “That stood for everything good about this country - and still does." Simply being in each other's presence – as lifelong comrades – can stir up emotion. “It’s an honor to be with them, in a way, because I was there,” Brent said. And the young men who portrayed the flag-raisers say they’re honored to take part. “Just seeing that – the American spirit – it’s something that pushes them through,” said Pfc. Brett Allard (re-enacted flag-raising). “It’s just – just amazing.”
Ellie
Reported by: Katie Crosbie
Saturday, Feb 23, 2008 @06:33pm CST
Sixty-three years ago today, five Marines and a Navy corpsman raised a flag on Iwo Jima -- a moment in time that would be captured forever through a photograph ... Here in Wichita Falls, people watched a re-enactment of the flag-raising ... at the Iwo Jima Survivors Reunion. It was an emotional experience for many of the veterans. They say that flag provided a glimmer of hope -- and home -- during one of the bloodiest battles of the Second World War. The red, white and blue paved the way for Iwo Jima veterans as they entered the presentation – just as their heroic actions, 63 years ago, paved the way for our freedom. “On February 23rd, 1945, five Marines and a Navy Corpsman – doing their duty – little realized that their names would be immortalized in the annuals of history,” said Woody Williams (Medal of Honor recipient). And here in this room – filled with a wealth of memories – that history came to life ... “If you didn’t witness it visually, you probably heard the cheers, the screaming, the guns firing,” said Denis Moody (USN – Retired). So, they watched as young military men reenacted that fateful flag-raising. "We saw it on Mount Surabachi – and the horns and the whistles and everything – cheers of the men - you know, that our flag was up,” said L.D. Cox (USS Indianapolis survivor). Before war's end ... Navy seaman first class L.D. Cox would lose nearly 900 of his shipmates. But on February 23, 1945, when he saw the red-white and blue ... “It gave everyone a feeling that we were winning the battle,” Cox said. “And our flag was there, and was gonna stay there.” “When you see a flag flying, well, it – it means a lot more than I can ever say,” said Kimel Brent (Navy Seabee on Iwo Jima). “That was what we fought for,” Cox said. “That stood for everything good about this country - and still does." Simply being in each other's presence – as lifelong comrades – can stir up emotion. “It’s an honor to be with them, in a way, because I was there,” Brent said. And the young men who portrayed the flag-raisers say they’re honored to take part. “Just seeing that – the American spirit – it’s something that pushes them through,” said Pfc. Brett Allard (re-enacted flag-raising). “It’s just – just amazing.”
Ellie