Honoring Uncommon Valor: The Legacy of the Battle of Iwo Jima

Today's article features the 16th anniversary of the landing on Iwo Jima, February 19, 1945. A great American armada lay off the ash-laden beaches. Admiral Chester Nimitz summed up the Battle of Iwo Jima saying, “Uncommon valor was a common virtue.” Nimitz's words are inscribed on the Marine Memorial in Washington, D.C.

Iwo Jima was the focus of some of the most intense violence in the history of warfare. It was a mark of honor for the US Marines and, sadly, a place where many gave the ultimate sacrifice. 53 PA Marines in the 3rd Marine Division sacrificed their lives during the March portion of the battle's hostilities. McKean County was home to one of them.

Lowder was awarded the Silver Star for his conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action that contributed significantly to his unit's mission. A symbol of patriotism and the fighting spirit of US forces and their resolve to win the war. Serving in the Navy at the time, sculptor Felix de Weldon was commissioned to create the iconic Marine Corps War Memorial based on the famous photo of the flag-raising on Iwo Jima.

Monday, Oct. 12, 2020, marks the 20th anniversary of the terrorist attack against the U.S. Navy guided-missile destroyer USS Cole (DDG 67). This act of aggression serves as a reminder of the ongoing threats to national security and the importance of honoring those who defend our freedoms.

My wife and I attended an extraordinary concert on Sunday, Feb. 23, by the brass ensemble of “The President's Own” (the United States Marine Band). The performance paid tribute to the brave men and women who fought in battles like Iwo Jima, showcasing the enduring spirit of the American military.

This February marks the 75th anniversary of the battle for Iwo Jima, a fight whose brutality not only established it as a marker for the extraordinary courage and sacrifice of American troops but also as a turning point in the Pacific theater of World War II.