Flag Raising on Iwo Jima by Joe Rosenthal 1945

This black and white photograph depicts six United States Soldiers raising a U.S. flag atop Mount Suribachi, during the Battle of Iwo Jima in World War II. 

It is but a speck of an island 760 miles south of Tokyo, a volcanic pile that blocked the Allies’ march toward Japan. The Americans needed Iwo Jima as an air base, but the Japanese had dug in. U.S. troops landed on February 19, 1945, beginning a month of fighting that claimed the lives of 6,800 Americans and 21,000 Japanese. On the fifth day of battle, the Marines captured Mount ­Suribachi. An American flag was quickly raised, but a commander called for a bigger one, in part to inspire his men and demoralize his opponents. Associated Press photographer Joe Rosenthal lugged his bulky Speed Graphic camera to the top, and as five Marines and a Navy corpsman prepared to hoist the Stars and Stripes, Rosenthal stepped back to get a better frame—and almost missed the shot. “The sky was overcast,” he later wrote of what has become one of the most recognizable images of war. “The wind just whipped the flag out over the heads of the group, and at their feet the disrupted terrain and the broken stalks of the shrubbery exemplified the turbulence of war.” Two days later Rosenthal’s photo was splashed on front pages across the U.S., where it was quickly embraced as a symbol of unity in the long-fought war. The picture, which earned Rosenthal a Pulitzer Prize, so resonated that it was made into a postage stamp and cast as a 100-ton bronze memorial.

Mr. Rosenthal took this picture in order to memorialize this imagine in our minds, to never forget the sacrifices made and who was here to accomplish them. Even though he almost missed it, he did more with that one shot than he ever imagined. It showed me personally that the solders sacrifices were not in vain. It showed me bravery, honor and dedication to a common goal, this goal was to defeat the enemy and restore freedom and peace.  Our Stars and Stripes had a specific meaning at that time, not just to Americans but, to others around the world. I felt that his photograph showed that meaning loud and clear. It is very emotional to sit back and really analyze the depth of this historical event.  Even though it was way before my time, I can full understand with such respect and appreciation for all that was given to make it possible for me and us to be here today.  No matter how many generations have been made since that time, this poignant time in history will never be forgotten or erased from our hearts and minds, EVER.