The worst part of it all was that Iwo Jima was of absolutely no strategic importance. A tiny island of 11 square miles. It was heavily defended but was completely cut off. US forces could have simply sailed around it. 28,000 US service men and 18,000 Japanese dead for absolutely no reason. This was known at the time and the invasion was argued against to no avail.
They played this scene over speakers while on the rifle range during night fire maneuvers in boot camp at Camp Pendleton in 87'. Sent shivers down everyone's spine. No one spoke or moved. We all just listened and many cried.
As my dad said the first time we watched it together, I love how John Agar echoes John Wayne even in his delivery of “Alright! Saddle up! Let’s get back in the war!” What a glorious film.
My Father loved this song and every now and then one could hear him whistling, humming or singing this song. When they were in their middle 70s dad had a photo copied. It was taken before their marriage. One photo was given to her sister(Who helped bring them together). One was given to my sister Lynette and the third was given to me. There was Mom was mom with a glimmer of a smile wearing a rose in her hair. At 81yrs of age they've both been gone over twenty years but it's still a warm loving memory. You've heard or read about some birds that mate for life, well when Mom was seriously ill he told my sister and me that she wished she could last just long enough that he would go first because she knew he wouldnt last long after she was gone. she was right. After she was gone he followed her seven months later. Again another sweet memory because they knew each other so well. Missed but still living in our memories. If I knew how to put a photo on the internet I'm sure you would ll enjoy a picture of Dad's love, she wearing that rose in her hair. Many thanks for the presentaion.
0:04 Just from watching Flags of Our Father this one shot of the three seems to be that movie in a nutshell. Gagnon seems to be enjoying himself but looks at the camera, Bradley being professional about the whole thing and Hayes clearly not wanting to be there at all and doesn't make eye contact with anyone.
I watched a lot of john wayne movies growing up. My dad was a truck driver and would be on the road a lot while hauling cattle. But when he was home, some of my fondest memories were laying on him on the couch as a kid watching one of his films or old tv westerns like Gunsmoke or wagon train. I always have a hard time trying to pick which one of John wayne's movies I liked better. Most of what I watched I watched repeatedly to the point I can tell you just about which movie a line quote is from and what point of the movie. Probably the one I watched the most was Rio Bravo.
I think you're right this is one of the best ever but you must always remember Audie Murphy. The Corps turned him down. ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-1wpCIhiHTWo.html
The three men john wayne handed the flag to in the film were the last three surviving soldiers who raised the flag during the battle and the flag they used was the original flag and was on loan from the marine corps museum
One of our elderly men at church was at Iwo Jima and watched the Marines raise the flag. Kenneth was a living treasure, he has since passed several years ago.
My mom's favorite cousin, Field Music Sergeant Ted Skolny, 21st Marines, was KIA on Iwo Jima. He was one of over 400,000 Americans who did not come home from WorldWar II. Every American born since the war owes them a debt that can never be repaid.
And to think, Iwo Jima is still an active volcano, with several parts of the original landing beaches no longer recognizable due to minor volcanic activity.
