[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 25 (Thursday, February 11, 1999)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E225]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




              54TH ANNIVERSARY OF FLAG RAISING ON IWO JIMA

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. BENJAMIN A. GILMAN

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, February 11, 1999

  Mr. GILMAN. Mr. Speaker, I would like to take this opportunity to 
bring to the attention of our distinguished colleagues that February 
23rd will be the 54th anniversary of the raising of our American flag 
on Iwo Jima. It has often been said that the photograph of the flag 
raising on Mt. Suribachi is the most widely duplicated and famous 
photograph ever taken. This may or may not be true, but I do not think 
anyone can deny it is to this day one of the most inspirational.
  It was 54 years ago this month that 70,000 American soldiers stormed 
the tiny Pacific island of Iwo Jima in an effort to secure a safe place 
for the emergency landing of American bombers en route to strategic 
targets in Japan. A small island in the Pacific Ocean, Iwo Jima was a 
vital strategic point for both the Americans and Japanese due to its 
location for these bombings.
  I am among the Americans who participated in our war effort in the 
Pacific theater. I fully recall how those of us who flew bombing 
missions over Japan were grateful, thanks to our courageous Armed 
Forces, that Iwo Jima had come into our control, although with great 
sorrow for the tremendous sacrifice that is conquest entailed. Iwo Jima 
allowed us a reasonable emergency landing base to refuel and to repair 
our aircraft damages incurred during our missions over Japan.
  It is appropriate that all Americans should join in honoring the 
6,000 American lives that were sacrificed in that famous battle that 
helped our nation to achieve victory in the Pacific theater. The photo 
of the 5 Marines and 1 sailor struggling to raise the stars and strips 
over Iwo Jima while battling against the brutal Pacific winds has 
become an enduring image to all Americans of those who gave their lives 
so that others may live free during that long and horrible war.
  Perched high atop Mount Suribachi, our nation's flag served as an 
instant memorial to the dead and wounded of our great nation reminding 
us of the expensive price we paid for that victory.
  Mr. Speaker, in closing, I invite all of our colleagues to join in 
remembrance of that historic day and in extending our deepest 
condolences and gratitude to the families of the fallen soldiers of the 
battle of Iwo Jima.

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