The Marine Corps War Memorial in Arlington, Virginia is the fruit of the fundraising efforts of Marines and the friends of Marines who raised the $850,000 needed to complete the memorial. No public funds were used for this bronze and granite statue that was dedicated by President Dwight Eisenhower in November of 1954.
Designed by Horace W. Peaslee, the Marine Corps Memorial is often erroneously called the Iwo Jima Memorial. That is because it is the raising of the United States over Iwo Jima, an image captured in February of 1945 by Associated Press photographer Joe Rosenthal, that is depicted.
The Memorial, which is cared for by the National Park Service, stands 78 feet high. The entire statue, cast in bronze, stands on a 10 foot high base made of Swedish granite. Inscribed are the names and the dates of every conflict in which the Marine Corps has been involved since the Corps was established in 1775. There are two other inscriptions on the base of the memorial.
"In honor and memory of the men of the United States Marine Corps who have given their lives to their country since 10 November 1775"
"Uncommon Valor was a Common Virtue." (this was a tribute specifically to those who fought in Iwo Jima)
The Marine Corps Memorial, which serves as the finish line for the annual Marine Corps Marathon, is located in close proximity to Arlington National Cemetery, just across the Potomac River from Washington D.C. While the statue depicts a particular battle, the Memorial is dedicated to every Marine who had died while in service to his or her country since 1775.
By Presidential Proclamation, a cloth flag flies over the Memorial 24 hours a day and 365 days a year. During a visit in 2007, a former Marine named James P. Donovan was visiting the site. He noticed that the flag flying over the Memorial was not as it should be. It was out of a passion to do anything he could to make sure that a proper flag always flew at the Marine Corps Memorial that the United States Marine Corps War Memorial Flag Detail, Inc. was born. The organization, also called Iwo Flags, was formed in November 2007. To join the group, one must be a former or current Marine, but anyone is eligible to sponsor a flag based on approval by the group's board of directors. Flags are returned to the sponsor with a letter of authenticity once their use is completed.
One visitor said of his visit, "This war memorial represents the sacrifice of our WWII heroes, specifically of our Marines. If you are familiar with the history of the battle on Iwo Jima, you will be even more moved. If not, look it up before you go...It's a short but powerful visit.''
The Marine Corps Memorial is open to the public 24 hours a day.
Sgt.David M. Titus, ret.