Raising the Flag on Iwo Jima – Uncommon Valor Was A Common Virtue

Today marks the anniversary of the flag raising on Iwo Jima. Here is a clip from a World War II documentary showing video of the soldiers raising the flag. At the time, the photographer didn’t know he was capturing an image that would become so symbolic of the war itself. Sadly, he was tragically killed later that same day.

We take for granted that we can see images of men and women in uniform fighting in Iraq and Afghanistan on our evening news as part of a 24 hour news cycle. During World War II, most images of the war were relayed in newspapers or newsreels.

After the battle of Iwo Jima, Fleet Admiral Chester W. Nimitz, USN said, “The battle of Iwo Jima has been won.  Among the Americans who served on Iwo, uncommon valor was a common virtue.” Surely this is true of those who carry on the tradition and responsibility of military service today. Thank you to all the men and women who serve our country.

[Image via Sligocameraclub]