[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 151 (2005), Part 4]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 5441]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




     CPL. CHARLES W. LINDBERG AND THE 60TH ANNIVERSARY OF IWO JIMA

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                          HON. MARK R. KENNEDY

                              of minnesota

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, March 17, 2005

  Mr. KENNEDY of Minnesota. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to commemorate 
the 60th Anniversary of the Battle of Iwo Jima and pay tribute to a 
fellow Minnesotan and true America hero, Cpl. Charles W. Lindberg. In a 
manner that is so characteristic of our veterans, Cpl. Lindberg put his 
life in harm's way so that future generations may live in a world free 
of the oppressive forces of tyranny. On the morning of the fifth day of 
this historic battle, six courageous young Marines--Jim Michels, Hank 
Hansen, Louis Charlo, Boots Thomas, Harold Schrier, and Charles 
Lindberg--were able to climb atop the slopes of Mt. Suribachi on Iwo 
Jima, in the thick of intense enemy fire and destroy a Japanese 
outpost, marking the first plot of native Japanese soil captured by the 
Americans during World War II. It was here that these five brave 
soldiers planted the first American flag on Iwo Jima. Later, this scene 
was recreated by the rising of a second American flag on Iwo Jima, 
forever to be remembered in our nation's history by Joe Rosenthal's 
Pulitzer Prize winning photograph and the famous statue in Arlington 
National Cemetery. Unfortunately, Cpl. Lindberg is the sole remaining 
survivor of this fearless group of initial Marines. However, as is the 
case with so many of our veterans, Cpl. Lindberg's dedication to our 
country did not end after the completion of his military service. 
Through his involvement in efforts to improve our country and the lives 
of soldiers, Cpl. Lindberg has and continues to be devoted to veterans, 
veterans' organizations, and his community. With much admiration, I 
salute this American patriot for his valiant spirit and actions on and 
off the battlefield.

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