[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 83 (Monday, June 16, 1997)]
[Senate]
[Pages S5713-S5714]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                IWO JIMA MEMORIAL WEEKLY EVENING PARADE

 Mr. SMITH. Mr. President, I rise today to bring up to the 
attention of my colleagues a very special event that occurred recently. 
On June 10, 1997, I was privileged to participate in an evening parade 
sponsored by the U.S. Marine Corps at the Iwo Jima Memorial.
  As my colleagues know, the Marine Corps hosts these parades weekly 
during the summer for local residents, tourists, and supporters of the 
Armed Forces. However, this parade was particularly special for those 
of us who treasure our Nation's military history and traditions.
  The parade was attended by the Secretary of the Navy, the Commandant 
of the Marine Corps, other distinguished leaders, and a collection of 
Iwo Jima survivors. Amidst great anticipation, the Secretary seized 
this unique forum to announce that the latest WASP Class amphibious 
warship, the LHD-7, would be named the ``USS. IWO JIMA.''
  As the sponsor of previous legislation to provide this designation 
for the LHD-7, I was both pleased and privileged to participate in this 
very special event. Indeed, as the Sun slowly set over Arlington 
cemetery, the Iwo Jima Memorial was aglow against the backdrop of the 
Washington skyline. And those veterans of Iwo Jima who graced us with 
their presence seemed transformed once again into the same youthful 
heroes who fought so nobly in defense of freedom 52 years ago. It was a 
very, very special night.
  Mr. President, for the benefit of my colleagues who were not able to 
attend last week's parade, I would like to take this opportunity to 
insert into the Record the statements delivered by the Secretary of the 
Navy and myself in commemoration of the event. While it is difficult to 
capture in mere words the essence of that wonderful evening, it is my 
hope that the American people will be able to review these remarks and, 
perhaps, gain a better appreciation of the U.S. Marine Corps, its 
history, and tradition. I know that I was enriched by the experience, 
and I want to personally thank Gen. Chuck Krulak and America's Corps of 
Marines for the honor of participating in this unforgettable event.
  I ask that the speeches delivered at the Iwo Jima Memorial on June 
10, 1997, by Secretary of Navy John Dalton and myself be printed in the 
Record.
  The material follows:

              Remarks of Senator Bob Smith--June 10, 1997

       Thank you very much General Krulak. Secretary Dalton, 
     Admiral Johnson, my host General West, fellow veterans, 
     particularly veterans of Iwo Jima that are with us tonight, 
     members of the Armed Services, ladies and gentlemen.
       Tonight, we gather against the backdrop of this wonderful 
     shrine, to commemorate the long and distinguished history of 
     our United States Marine Corps. We also celebrate the 
     designation of the latest WASP-Class Amphibious Assault ship 
     the ``USS Iwo Jima.''
       It is a very special evening, and I am deeply honored to 
     participate in these activities.
       In the annals of military history, no battle conjures up 
     more powerful or compelling images than Iwo Jima. That 
     ferocious battle, to capture four miles of strategic island 
     territory, is forever a part of our national character. And 
     it will forever define our United States Marine Corps.
       Between February 19th and March 26th, 1945, 19,000 
     Americans were wounded and 7,000 were killed in the campaign 
     to capture Iwo Jima. This was no walk through the park. This 
     was lengthy, brutal, hand to hand, close quarters combat.
       There were no stealth fighters, satellites or precision 
     guided munitions at Iwo Jima. No attack helicopters, infrared 
     sensors or tomahawk cruise missiles, either. Our secret 
     weapon was the tenacity and unbridled patriotism of 80,000 
     United States Marines.
       There was nothing high tech about these leathernecks. They 
     weren't pretty and they weren't glamorous. But those Marines 
     gave everything they had. They provided exactly what 
     technology couldn't. Guts. Courage. Valor. Discipline. 
     Unparalleled heroism.
       As Admiral Chester Nimitz concluded after the battle, and I 
     quote, ``among the Americans who served on Iwo Island, 
     uncommon valor was a common virtue.''

[[Page S5714]]

       I am proud to stand before you tonight and say without 
     question that the tradition, the character, the fortitude, 
     and the dignity displayed by those Marines at Iwo Jima 52 
     years ago lives on today. It lives on in the 174,000 men and 
     women who serve in the United States Marine Corps.
       They hold the torch of freedom. They are the ones who 
     sacrifice each day so that this nation may live free. They 
     are the ones who are on station at a distant shore, 24 hours 
     a day, 365 days a year defending our liberty and preserving 
     our security.
       As you admire the parade this evening, I urge you to look 
     closely at these young men and women. Look at their demeanor. 
     Look into their eyes and you will see the spirit of those 
     80,000 Marines who served at Iwo Jima. Look into those eyes 
     and you will see the pride, the discipline, the commitment to 
     God and country that distinguishes our Corps of Marines from 
     any other fighting force on Earth.
       Look into those eyes and you will see a window into the 
     soul of this great Nation.
       As parents, one of the most important values that we can 
     transmit to our children is to remember, and to honor, those 
     who fought, sacrificed and perished on behalf of freedom.
       As a United States Senator, I take great pride in having 
     played a role in naming the LHD-7 the ``Iwo Jima. From my 
     perspective, as long as marines are deployed in defense of 
     liberty, there must always be an Iwo Jima in the fleet.
       This ship, the finest of its kind, will carry on the legacy 
     of those fresh faced leathernecks who turned the tide of 
     history 52 years ago. It is an event to be commemorated. It 
     is a ship worthy of the distinction.
       Semper Fidelis.
                                                                    ____


                     Remarks of Hon. John H. Dalton

       Thank you General Krulak, for that kind introduction. 
     Senator Smith, Assistant Secretary Stuart (Sandra Stuart, 
     ASD--Legislative Affairs), Rear Admiral Ryan, Major General 
     Haynes, Veterans, especially those Veterans of the Battle of 
     Iwo Jima (seated ahead and to your left) and serving members 
     of our Armed Forces, ladies and gentlemen.
       I am honored to be here, at this glorious moment, a bold 
     and powerful testimony to the commitment and sacrifice of 
     those proud Marines and Sailors who fought and died to 
     preserve America's precious freedoms and liberties. The Iwo 
     Jima Memorial commemorates a great moral and strategic 
     victory in the Pacific campaign of World War II, and one of 
     the fiercest fights in the annals of combat.
       In this battle we took more casualties than the enemy, in 
     this battle there were more medals of honor awarded than in 
     any other battle in U.S. history. We simply had to have that 
     island.
       The outcome of that struggle was not only the preservation 
     of the greatest Democracy and Nation in the world, but also 
     the subsequent spread of democratic forms of government to 
     distant and foreign shores.
       In that light, Iwo Jima represents not just a single, 
     costly battle, so long ago. It symbolizes also, the proud 
     heritage of our Marines and Sailors who recognize a greatness 
     beyond themselves and their service. Because of Iwo Jima and 
     battles like it, the world can appreciate America's 
     commitment to democracy and justice. It led nations toward a 
     more peaceful world, a world in which we all pray there will 
     never be another Iwo Jima.
       I am constantly reminded of the Battle for Iwo Jima. In my 
     office hangs a painting of Joe Rosenthal's famous photograph 
     after which this memorial is sculpted. I have met Joe 
     Rosenthal and the sculptor of this great work, Felix De-
     Weldon. And just 2 years ago, I was honored to stand on the 
     top of Mount Suribachi, and participate in a Memorial Service 
     on the 50th anniversary of the battle.
       But perhaps my greatest reminder of all are daily 
     encounters with Marines and Sailors of today's Naval Service. 
     These encounters give me total confidence that the supreme 
     sacrifice of those who went before is embodied in the 
     fighting spirit of today's Marines and Sailors.
       My hope is that all Americans would have the opportunity to 
     be reminded of their servicemembers' fighting spirit and 
     willingness to sacrifice, as I so often am as Secretary of 
     the Navy. That is why I am proud to announce today, that the 
     Navy and Marine Corps' newest amphibious warship, the seventh 
     of our WASP class LHD's, will be named U.S.S. Iwo Jima.
       LHD-7, the U.S.S. Iwo Jima, to be christened at the turn of 
     the century, will embody the most powerful technology and 
     weapons capability available to our Navy and Marine Corps 
     Team. U.S.S. Iwo Jima's ultimate strength will be the ability 
     to deter aggression. And her lifeblood will be our Sailors 
     and Marines who man the deckplates, they will fulfill the 
     tradition of sacrifice so honorably held by those who fought 
     and died at the battle of Iwo Jima.
       I think it is appropriate to recall the words of Chaplain 
     Roland Gittelsohn when he dedicated the Fifth Marine Division 
     Cemetery on Iwo Jima fifty-two years ago. On February 19, 
     1995, Rabbi Gittelsohn recalled his words when he 
     participated at a ceremony here, commemorating that battle. 
     He said then, and repeated 2 years ago:
       ``Here lie officers and men of all colors, rich men and 
     poor men together. Here are Protestants, Catholics and Jews 
     together. Here no man prefers another because of his faith or 
     despises him because of his color. Here there are no quotas 
     of how many from each group are admitted or allowed. Among 
     these men there is no discrimination. No prejudice. No 
     hatred. Theirs is the highest and purest democracy.
       Any man among us, the living, who failed to understand 
     that, will thereby betray those who lie here . . . whoever 
     lifts his hand in hate against a brother, or thinks himself 
     superior to those who happen to be in a minority, makes of . 
     . . their sacrifice an empty, hollow mockery.
       Thus do we consecrate ourselves, the living, to carry on 
     the struggle they began. Too much blood has gone into this 
     soil for us to let it lie barren.''
       Those words spoken in honor of fallen Marines and Sailors 
     hold a living truth. The truth is that we, the living, must 
     carry on their struggle for liberty and freedom everyday, and 
     in everything we do. I am confident that our Navy and Marine 
     Corps Team embodies that continuing struggle. And I am proud 
     that this great Nation will commission the U.S.S. Iwo Jima in 
     the year 2000, to honor those of you who fought there, and 
     the enduring legacy of our fallen comrades who so dedicated 
     their lives to this great Nation. God bless this great 
     memorial and the selfless sacrifice it represents. God bless 
     our Navy and Marine Corps, and God bless America.

                          ____________________