Nobody better call you unpatriotic Don Fielding < OORAH !!!> A Marine on Iwo Jima I am pleased the Iwo Jima monument is not coming to the Sarasota bayfront. I am a proud Marine -- once a Marine, always a Marine. In 1954, I was a communicator in the 12th Marines as we held a training exercise on Iwo Jima. We could not hit the beach on the side of the 1945 World War II battle, due to all of the boats, tanks and other items in the water. Thus we hit the other beach. When I stepped on that black sand I found ammunition, pieces of green cloth, communication wire and many other items left from the war. I did not have to crawl up the side of Mount Suribachi and face death every inch of the way; I walked up a dirt road. As I stood next to where the flag was raised, I could not help but to pray for all those who fought for an island I could almost see the other end of. Sarasota is not a place for the Iwo Jima monument. The only place it belongs is where the large version of the statue stands today (by Arlington National Cemetery). I ask all who are in any branch, have been in any branch of the service and especially Marines to do all possible to put a stop to placing in Sarasota any monument concerning any battle of any war. That ugly "Unconditional Surrender" should be tossed in the bay for the fishes. Sarasota is not a place for what these people call art. Take the money and give it to educate the younger generation of the history of this country and honor those who served and are serving, not with what you call art. Donald E. Fielding, Sarasota.
Posted on: Fri, 12 Jul 2013 11:27:23 +0000
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