Battle of Iwo Jima to be commemorated

December 10, 2009

The 65th Anniversary of the Battle for Iwo Jima will be commemorated at a Reunion and Symposium Feb. 18-21 at Arlington and Quantico, Virginia.

The event is co-sponsored by the Iwo Jima Association of America (IJAA) and the Marine Corps Heritage Foundation (MCHF) and open to Iwo Jima Veterans, their families, military educators, historians and students of military history.

Two signature battles of World War II will forever be "Normandy" in 1944 and "Iwo Jima" in 1945. These battles are not intended to diminish the savagery of other conflicts where brave men and women gave their lives for their country. Normandy and Iwo Jima, however, epitomize the very best in bravery, sacrifice and determination of the American warrior.

From the landing on February 19, 1945 until Iwo Jima was declared secure, over 27,000 Americans would lose their lives, be seriously wounded or declared Missing in Action. Iwo Jima was one of the most ferocious battles of WWII and is a hallmark of valor in Marine Corps lore, standing alongside other great battles such as Belleau Wood, Chosin Reservoir, Khe Sanh and Fallujah.

For Reunion and Symposium details, call 703-212-8128, or email Director@IwoJimaAssociation.org. The information is also on the website at www.IwoJimaAssociation.org.

For information on the Reunion of Honor to Guam and Iwo Jima in March, please click on www.miltours.com.

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