Memorial Day

Posted by Russ Devan (New Hanover, United States) on 26 May 2008 in Miscellaneous and Portfolio.

This is a closeup view of the US Marine Corps. War Memorial, outside of Arlington National Cemetary, Washington, DC. The memorial is based on the iconic, Pulitzer Prize-winning photograph taken by combat photographer Joe Rosenthal of the flag raising on Mt. Suribachi during the Battle of Iwo Jima in World War II. The photo taken by Rosenthal was of the second, larger flag raising on Suribachi that day. The second flag raising replaced the smaller, first flag that was raised earlier that same day. In the Rosenthal photo and in the statue are five US Marines and a US Navy Corpsman: Franklin Sousley, Harlon Block, Michael Strank, John Bradley, Rene Gagnon, and Ira Hayes. Unfortunately, Sousley, Block, and Strank did not survive the battle after the flag was raised. Michael Strank was a fellow Pennsylvanian, hailing from Johnstown, literally just a few miles from my hometown.

Unfortunately, the "Memorial" in Memorial Day has been ignored by too many US citizens who are beneficiaries of those who have given the ultimate sacrifice to defend our freedom and liberty. Often we do not observe the day as it should be, a day where we actively remember our ancestors, our family members, our loved ones, our neighbors, and our friends who have given the ultimate sacrifice.

Please take a moment to remember those who gave their tomorrows so that the rest of us could have our todays. And whenever you meet a vet, please be sure to thank him or her for their service. It's the very least you could do.

Have a pleasant Memorial Day.

“The price of anything is the amount of life you exchange for it.” - Henry David Thoreau

All images and text are copyrighted by Russell D. Devan. All rights reserved. The download, duplication, printing or copying of these images in any manner without the expressed written authorization of the photographer is strictly prohibited. Please contact me if you would like to use this image in any way. Please visit my portfolio at http://www.pbase.com/rddevan.

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