SoCalSGT Posted March 3, 2011 Report Share Posted March 3, 2011 I think you all will get the same feeling I had when I saw the pix. To those who served (any branch), "Thank you for your service!" To family members: "Thank you for your sacrifice." And to those who are grateful, "Thank you for your patriotism. Don't wait for Veteran's Day or Memorial Day -- thank a Veteran whenever you see one!" Click to see: Iwo Jima Today John Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David Hawkins Posted March 3, 2011 Report Share Posted March 3, 2011 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MY500SS Posted March 3, 2011 Report Share Posted March 3, 2011 Thanks for posting John. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jerseygator Posted March 3, 2011 Report Share Posted March 3, 2011 You bet! Thanks for posting. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
svtkeith Posted March 3, 2011 Report Share Posted March 3, 2011 God bless the soldiers that had to go through that...They were and still are the toughest of them all... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Keith Lambert Posted March 3, 2011 Report Share Posted March 3, 2011 Takes me back to my sophomore year at the Air Force Academy! While on a summer training program in the Pacific for 6 weeks we flew out to Iwo Jima and spent an entire day there. Toured the island, beaches, climbed to top of Mt. Surabachi, and crawled down into the tunnel network the Japenese had dug into the island. A pretty cool hands-on history lesson at the time for a 20-year old just starting in the military! keith Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gt350lp Posted March 3, 2011 Report Share Posted March 3, 2011 Thanks for the posting....Something we should NEVER forget...God Bless them and may they Rest In Peace..... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sherri Leicht Posted March 3, 2011 Report Share Posted March 3, 2011 God bless our Military, past and present Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SVT NAJA Posted March 4, 2011 Report Share Posted March 4, 2011 God bless our Military, past and present +1... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SicShelby Posted March 4, 2011 Report Share Posted March 4, 2011 Thanks for posting. Semper Fi. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
twobjshelbys Posted March 4, 2011 Report Share Posted March 4, 2011 A friend of my mom and dad, who was more like an uncle to me, was at Iwo Jima and witnessed the first flag raising. Another friend was in Normandy. I would love to someday visit both locations. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MY500SS Posted March 4, 2011 Report Share Posted March 4, 2011 A friend of my mom and dad, who was more like an uncle to me, was at Iwo Jima and witnessed the first flag raising. Another friend was in Normandy. I would love to someday visit both locations. My grandfather (Omaha Beach sector) and great Uncle (Utah Beach sector) were both at Normandy. Marji and I visited Normandy a few years ago..........Standing among the grave markers at the American Cemetary and Memorial, you can't help but become overwhelmed with emotion. Just thinking about it now has me choked up. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SicShelby Posted March 4, 2011 Report Share Posted March 4, 2011 My grandfather was a Korean vet. It would be really neat but... can't say that I really want to travel to Korea anytime soon. What I didn't realize is that he graduated from the same recruit depot next to the airport in San Diego. Talk about nostalgia for him when he was at my graduation. And man, the stories he has! It's mind blowing to understand the differences in how the military (not just the Marines) operated back then. I tell you what... THOSE jarheads had some NUTS to take Iwo Jima, that's for sure. I don't think we have that "caliber" of soldier anymore. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SoCalSGT Posted March 4, 2011 Author Report Share Posted March 4, 2011 My grandfather was a Korean vet. It would be really neat but... can't say that I really want to travel to Korea anytime soon. What I didn't realize is that he graduated from the same recruit depot next to the airport in San Diego. Talk about nostalgia for him when he was at my graduation. And man, the stories he has! It's mind blowing to understand the differences in how the military (not just the Marines) operated back then. I tell you what... THOSE jarheads had some NUTS to take Iwo Jima, that's for sure. I don't think we have that "caliber" of soldier anymore. I've been fortunate enough to watch 2 young men, brothers, grow up. One is now an F/A 18 pilot on a carrier somewhere in the Indian ocean, the other is a SEAL Team officer who has just returned from another deployment and will be heading back out soon. Trust me when I say that we still have the finest military in the world, and if our flag needs to raised once again on Iwo Jima, it will be. If anyone gets the chance I strongly suggest you read - AMERICAN HEROES IN SPECIAL OPERATIONS, by Oliver North. An amazing read. John Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AUSTANG Posted March 4, 2011 Report Share Posted March 4, 2011 My Grandfather was in the 5th Marine division and on Iwo and was also involved in the occupation of Japan. I have a bunch of pics from Japan that he took as well as his 5th Marine Division annual that they gave out after the war that goes through the 5th's training till the end of the war. He never would talk about his experiences which I completely understand, my father had told me that he was in the first wave on the beaches and also did several of the patrols up Mt Suribachi during early parts of the fighting, but was not apart of the group that raised the flag. Thanks to all that serving or have served. My other Grandfather fought in the Philippines. Few pics I scanned of his: Most of these were of Nagasaki after the war. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
twobjshelbys Posted March 4, 2011 Report Share Posted March 4, 2011 Those pictures of Nagasaki are mind boggling. You should consider asking the National Archives if they would like copies. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Keith Lambert Posted March 5, 2011 Report Share Posted March 5, 2011 My grandfather was a Korean vet. It would be really neat but... can't say that I really want to travel to Korea anytime soon. What I didn't realize is that he graduated from the same recruit depot next to the airport in San Diego. Talk about nostalgia for him when he was at my graduation. And man, the stories he has! It's mind blowing to understand the differences in how the military (not just the Marines) operated back then. I tell you what... THOSE jarheads had some NUTS to take Iwo Jima, that's for sure. I don't think we have that "caliber" of soldier anymore. American veterans of the Korean War are held in very high regard by the Korean people, especially those who lived through the war. Each year a reunion tour is held in Korea. I believe it is sponsored by the Korean govt or military veterans groups. It's about a week long event, with tours to battle sites, the DMZ, military museums, gala dinners with keynote speakers, and visits to cultural sites plus a lot of interaction with the Korean people. I saw this event twice while assigned there and could see how much the American vets enjoyed being there. For some of them to see how the country has recovered, grown, and prospered since the war answers the question, "Was it worth it?" I'd highly recommend it for your grandfather if he is able to travel. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SicShelby Posted March 5, 2011 Report Share Posted March 5, 2011 I've been fortunate enough to watch 2 young men, brothers, grow up. One is now an F/A 18 pilot on a carrier somewhere in the Indian ocean, the other is a SEAL Team officer who has just returned from another deployment and will be heading back out soon. Trust me when I say that we still have the finest military in the world, and if our flag needs to raised once again on Iwo Jima, it will be. If anyone gets the chance I strongly suggest you read - AMERICAN HEROES IN SPECIAL OPERATIONS, by Oliver North. An amazing read. John Not arguing with you there. I think our military is still top notch. However... just not as "hard core" as it used to be. Something is definitely wrong when a recruit is given a "stress card" in boot camp. If you were to take a WWII or a Korean Vet and throw them in today's Army, Marine Corps, etcs., I think they'd be... "blown." American veterans of the Korean War are held in very high regard by the Korean people, especially those who lived through the war. Each year a reunion tour is held in Korea. I believe it is sponsored by the Korean govt or military veterans groups. It's about a week long event, with tours to battle sites, the DMZ, military museums, gala dinners with keynote speakers, and visits to cultural sites plus a lot of interaction with the Korean people. I saw this event twice while assigned there and could see how much the American vets enjoyed being there. For some of them to see how the country has recovered, grown, and prospered since the war answers the question, "Was it worth it?" I'd highly recommend it for your grandfather if he is able to travel. Thank you. That WOULD be super cool. Unfortunately I don't think he has the ability to fly anymore. He just had a big recent surgery to have some cancer removed, and last I heard there's a possibility some was left behind, or moved to another part of his body. He's still made of nails though, that's for sure! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Boss Doctor Posted March 5, 2011 Report Share Posted March 5, 2011 Semper Fi! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SVT NAJA Posted March 6, 2011 Report Share Posted March 6, 2011 Thank you. That WOULD be super cool. Unfortunately I don't think he has the ability to fly anymore. He just had a big recent surgery to have some cancer removed, and last I heard there's a possibility some was left behind, or moved to another part of his body. He's still made of nails though, that's for sure! Gabe, I pray that your Grandfather fully recovers from his recent surgery. I salute his service to our country. Like WWll vets in Europe and the Pacific, our Korean vets also had a tough row to hoe on the Southern Peninsula defending against the Communist Chinese supported North Korean People's Army. General Douglas MacArthur led the Marines at the successful landing at the Battle of Inchon, a turning point in the war http://en.wikipedia....attle_of_Inchon and one of the most decisive military operations in history. I'd say these guys were tougher than nails... more like railroad spikes! Here's a short Marine video clip of the landing http://www.marines.c.../inchon_landing Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Archived
This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.