Today in 1945 Black Sand turned Blood Red

[PriestEG]

This date in 1945, 30,000 marines stormed the volcanic Islands of Iwo Jima. The ensuing battle that lasted officiall til 26 March 1945 claimed the lives of 6,821 Marines/Sailors/Soldiers, and 19,217 wounded. ~70,000 were involved in the combat on this tiny island.
Think about that for a minute.. in a 4 week span of the most brutal fighting in the Pacific Island hopping campaign, more men died than that of the last decade of fighting in OIF OEF!

Having served in OIF and been to Iwo Jima, I am honered to have followed in the footsteps of the hard nosed grunts that went before me. I pray that this legacy of Marine Corps tradition of honor and committment to fighting the enemy will live on long past my lifetime..

Today I remember and encourage you to take a few minutes and reflect on what happened in todays history that has allowed us to live in the manner in which we do. I will carry my bottle of black sand with me for the next few weeks in honor of this event
Semper Fidelis

 

[RGriff69]

I went to Iwo Jima in '99. Awesome place. The tunnel system is amazing.

 

[DaKruiser]

Thank you for your service, and the reminder of the days history!

 

[Kingpin]

Prayers and thanks to all service members.

 

[Mr Evilwrench]

My uncle was there, as part of the original cast.

 

[Glockowner]

My Great Uncle was there as a 15 year old man. Not a phrase you hear very often, but I still feel he was more of a man at 15 than I am today at 28.

He was a great man, and set a powerful example for the entire family.