Fighting for Freedom

60 Years Ago - The Battle of Iwo Jima

Cherish the memory of the Marines who fought the Battle of Iwo Jima, sixty years ago today. The battle lasted thirty-six days. In the first eighteen hours of battle, there were 2,300 casualties. To gain the Japanese island, the Americans lost 6,821 noble young men. The Marines suffered 23,573 casualties of a total of 70,000 in battle. The military planners of the invasion had underestimated the Japanese strength. The battle did not mark the end of World War II; fighting continued for another year. Of the platoon which raised the American ensign on Mount Suribachi, only ten percent of its members survived uninjured. The famous picture of the battle symbolizes not victory, but symbolizes the fight to be free. Once again, we are fighting Totalitarians, and once again there is no guarantee that we will win. Many who should be with us, are not, and in fact are hoping that we will lose. If we lose, it will be a step backward into darkness for humankind. Cherish the memory of the Marines at Iwo Jima and keep up the fight for freedom.