Sunset Parade at Iwo Jima

Iwo Jima, a heavily fortified Japanese stronghold was essential for the U.S to win the war, and also for the Japanese to stave off defeat. The battle to win this island is considered one of the fiercest battles in military history. Less than 300 out of 21,000 Japanese survived the attack. The U.S lost 6,821 soldiers and over 19,000 were wounded. One of the most highly distributed photographs ever made was taken during the Iwo Jima campaign. Joe Rosenthal, the photographer who took the famous picture of the marines raising the flag was awarded a Pulitzer prize for his work. The Iwo Jima Memorial is a duplicate of that famous photograph. The 32 foot bronze figures are shown raising a 60 foot flag. This memorial was dedicated by President Dwight D. Eisenhour on November 10th, 1954, the 179th anniversery of the United States Marine Corps. Inscripted around the base of the memorial are the words of Chester W. Nimitz "Uncommon valor was a common virture."

Last night we attended the Marine Corps "Sunset Parade" at the Iwo Jima Memorial. Hundreds of people come every Tuesday night during the summer months to watch the United States Marine Drum and Bugle Corps perform a variety of musical selections, watch the precision of the Marines' Silent Drill Platoon, and pay respects to fallen soldiers.

Dressed in red coats and white pants, and holding there shiny silver instruments, the members of the Drum and Bugle Corps performed an excited selection of music. They played a medley from the musical "Jersey Boy," as well as the well known song "Stars and Stripes Forever." The formations they made while playing were precise and really enjoyable to watch.

Following the Drum and Bugle Corps, was the presentation of the colors. This presentation has been performed since the Revolutionary War. The Marine Corps battle colors is decorated with oak leaf clusters, ribbons, and stars that represent the more than 400 awards and campaigns of the U.S Marine Corps. The crowd was asked to stand to honor all service men and women who had given their life to serve this great country.

The Silent Drill Platoon has performed at the Sunset Parade since 1948. They travel all over the world executing their routine for hundreds of thousands of spectators annually. This routine is performed without any verbal cues and is performed with amazing synchronization. The M-1 rifles they carry weigh 10.5 pounds and are fixed with bayonets. After the Silent Drill performance, we stood and again honored fallen soldiers to a twenty one gun salute and a bugle call that honored all of the service men and women who have given there lives. The Sunset Parade ended with the retirement of the colors performed after a loud salute of rifles and the performance of taps.

Dustin and I really enjoyed the Sunset Parade and feel a special connection to soldiers who serve their country, and even die for their country. I felt a sense of pride well up inside of me when I saw the Iwo Jima Memorial flanked by Marines who serve this country every day. We are so grateful for the freedoms that we enjoy.