Flags of our Fathers

MysticCat · #1 10-20-2006, 01:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LaneSig

A high-ranking officer decided that he wanted the first flag that was raised, so this group of guys were raising a second flag.

True, and thanks -- I neglected to mention that point. It was the Secretary of the Navy, James Forrestal, who was present and wanted the flag. When his desire for the flag was relayed to the battalion commander, it was not taken well. With appropriate profanities, he declared that the flag belonged to the battalion. He decided to get it for the battalion before anyone else got it for Forrester, so he sent an officer to get a replacement flag. Included in the instructions were "make it a bigger one."

ETA: Both the flags are now in the Marine Corps Museum in Washington.

Quote:

Originally Posted by _Opi_

My history is a little off..did this happen before or after they nuked the Japanese?

Before. (February of 1945, with the bombings in August of that year.)

ASUADPi · #2 10-20-2006, 01:24 PM

I heard on the news this morning that one of the men was from Arizona. They (the news station) won't actually be talking about it until this evening, so I'll have to watch the 5 o'clock news. I guess the man actually lost a battle to alcohol (shrugging my shoulders since that is what the news said). They mentioned his name very briefly but I didn't catch it.

I'm looking forward to seeing this movie since I'm a huge ww2 buff.

MysticCat · #3 10-20-2006, 01:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ASUADPi

I heard on the news this morning that one of the men was from Arizona. They (the news station) won't actually be talking about it until this evening, so I'll have to watch the 5 o'clock news. I guess the man actually lost a battle to alcohol (shrugging my shoulders since that is what the news said). They mentioned his name very briefly but I didn't catch it.

That would be Ira Hayes, a Pima Indian from the Gila River Indian Community. He did suffer from survivor guilt, depression and alcoholism after the war.

A song about him, The Ballad of Ira Hayes, was recorded by Johnny Cash in 1964.

ASUADPi · #4 10-20-2006, 01:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MysticCat

That would be Ira Hayes, a Pima Indian from the Gila River Indian Community. He did suffer from survivor guilt, depression and alcoholism after the war.

A song about him, The Ballad of Ira Hayes, was recorded by Johnny Cash in 1964.

Thanks

SydneyK · #5 10-20-2006, 02:57 PM

I've heard that the monument in DC depicting this scene has 13 hands (two of each of the six men (obviously), plus the hand of God). Has anyone else heard this? Is it true or just a myth?

MysticCat · #6 10-20-2006, 03:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SydneyK

I've heard that the monument in DC depicting this scene has 13 hands (two of each of the six men (obviously), plus the hand of God). Has anyone else heard this? Is it true or just a myth?

Some people say that if you look at the monument from exactly the right angle, you can see a 13th hand, but it's urban legend.

LaneSig · #7 10-20-2006, 03:59 PM

There is a great back story about the man who is closest to the ground. But, I don't want to ruin it for those of you who haven't read the book or plan to see the movie. But, it's really a great story.