[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 153 (2007), Part 12]
[House]
[Page 17420]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




           MOURNING THE LOSS OF CORPORAL CHARLES W. LINDBERG

  (Mr. KLINE of Minnesota asked and was given permission to address the 
House for 1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. KLINE of Minnesota. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the memory 
of Corporal Charles W. Lindberg, and I offer my most sincere 
condolences to his family.
  Mr. Lindberg, a fellow marine and fellow Minnesotan, was the last 
survivor of the six U.S. Marines who raised the first flag over Iwo 
Jima during World War II.
  On the morning of February 23, 1945, Corporal Lindberg and his fellow 
marines made their way to the top of Mount Suribachi. At the request of 
their battalion commander, they placed an American flag at the summit.
  Years later, as he reflected on that fateful day, Corporal Lindberg 
said, ``Down below the troops started to cheer, the ship's whistles 
went off, and it was just something that you would never forget.''
  This was the first time a foreign flag was flown on Japanese soil. 
The moment was captured in a photo by Sergeant Lou Lowery. This event, 
along with the famous photo made by Joe Rosenthal of the second flag 
raising, became a symbol of courage and victory in our country.
  Just weeks after the flag raising in Iwo Jima, Corporal Lindberg was 
injured in the line of duty. For his bravery, he was awarded a Purple 
Heart and the Silver Star.
  Mr. Speaker, in this Chamber we often speak of service to our 
country. Corporal Lindberg's story is a symbol for generations on the 
importance of service and duty.
  After his retirement, Corporal Lindberg spoke to hundreds of veterans 
groups and student groups, inspiring all who heard him. He is much 
loved and admired by those who knew him.
  God bless the Lindberg family, and God bless America.

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