Iwo Jima Day

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Specializes in retired LTC.

On 2/23/1945, the US flag was raised on Mt Suribachi, an enemy-held volcanic island off the coast of wartime Japan.

Many well recognize the iconic photo of several Marines raising the flag as the deadly battle waged near the end of WWII.

Short time later, the atomic bombings occurred and then V-J was soon declared. (And another memorable photo of the sailor kissing the nurse in NY Times Square.)

So much history is being lost or forgotten. A short Wikipedia review is a good resource for a refresher.

A heartfelt TY to any remaining Veterans. And a 'thank you for your service' to subsequent military.

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Specializes in Psych (25 years), Medical (15 years).

Thanks for calling attention to this event, amoLucia.

You mentioned two photographs that became uuniversal symbols of the time.

amoLucia said:
Many well recognize the iconic photo of several Marines raising the flag as the deadly battle waged near the end of WWII.

1/400ths of a second...

amoLucia said:
memorable photo of the sailor kissing the nurse in NY Times Square.

 

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Specializes in Education, FP, LNC, Forensics, ED, OB.

Thank you for the reminder, amoLucia.

And, thank you for the images, Davey Do.

My Daddy always told me that HE was the guy kissing that woman. (I miss you, Daddy)

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Specializes in retired LTC.

Maybe as I've become 'mature', I've become more sensitive to significant history, esp military. My Dad was a 'GI Joe' for WWII (European theatre) - did his 'in & out' and didn't want any more than that. But it was his inviolate rule that our 48-star flag ("he fought for the 48, not Hawaii or Alaska") be flown for every holiday and then some others.

I remember Army-Navy Game Day as second only to Christmas! And he was very active with his VFW and American Legion posts. Those little red VFW poppies stand out in my mind very distinctly. And never get him started on the Red Cross 'donuts & coffee' outrage!

I learned some statistic a while back that stated for every day, another 100 WWII vets were dying. Soon there won't be any more left. And like that phrase from the Holocaust "we must not forget", I fear for the remaining memories.

Sadly & ashamedly, I do admit that I am woefully unfamiliar with a lot of military conflicts. So I do try to look things up now.

But because of my Dad, I try to keep the memories still there for myself & others.

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Specializes in Education, FP, LNC, Forensics, ED, OB.
amoLucia said:
Maybe as I've become 'mature', I've become more sensitive to significant history, esp military. My Dad was a 'GI Joe' for WWII (European theatre) - did his 'in & out' and didn't want any more than that. But it was his inviolate rule that our 48-star flag ("he fought for the 48, not Hawaii or Alaska") be flown for every holiday and then some others.

I remember Army-Navy Game Day as second only to Christmas! And he was very active with his VFW and American Legion posts. Those little red VFW poppies stand out in my mind very distinctly. And never get him started on the Red Cross 'donuts & coffee' outrage!

I learned some statistic a while back that stated for every day, another 100 WWII vets were dying. Soon there won't be any more left. And like that phrase from the Holocaust "we must not forget", I fear for the remaining memories.

Sadly & ashamedly, I do admit that I am woefully unfamiliar with a lot of military conflicts. So I do try to look things up now.

But because of my Dad, I try to keep the memories still there for myself & others.

Oh, my what a flood of memories for me.

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My parents were of that generation. God bless them and all of the greatest generation. They faced horrible odds and circumstances. They were children of the great depression and upon coming to age were faced with an all out conflict against two evil empires at the same time. They prevailed and made the world a much better place for their time here.

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Specializes in SICU, trauma, neuro.

If anyone hasn't read "We Band of Angels," I can't recommend it highly enough! :nurse:

Not Iwo Jima related, but set in WWII Pacific theater

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I haven't read it. It is about the nurses in the Philippines? Heroes to a one

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Specializes in SICU, trauma, neuro.
SpankedInPittsburgh said:
I haven't read it. It is about the nurses in the Philippines? Heroes to a one

Yes, that's the one

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Spectacular Patriots. Not enough attention has been paid to the sacrifices of the women in that war both in and out of uniform. Many view those times as being purely male-dominated. What complete BS. Women didn't raise the flag at Iwo but they probably produced every material thing in that picture from the flag in the air to the socks on the Marines feet. They also helped tend to the thousands of wounded and battle scarred of that war. My mom was no nurse but my dad needed her to deal with the horror he carried around as a result of his service for decades. Millions of Vets were like that. Not to mention that they gave birth and raised a great generation of young men in the depression who literally saved the world from an unimaginable darkness. God Bless them is insufficient praise but its all I got

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Specializes in Education, FP, LNC, Forensics, ED, OB.
SpankedInPittsburgh said:
Spectacular Patriots. Not enough attention has been paid to the sacrifices of the women in that war both in and out of uniform. Many view those times as being purely male-dominated. What complete BS. Women didn't raise the flag at Iwo but they probably produced every material thing in that picture from the flag in the air to the socks on the Marines feet. They also helped tend to the thousands of wounded and battle scarred of that war. My mom was no nurse but my dad needed her to deal with the horror he carried around as a result of his service for decades. Millions of Vets were like that. Not to mention that they gave birth and raised a great generation of young men in the depression who literally saved the world from an unimaginable darkness. God Bless them is insufficient praise but its all I got

Perfect!!

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