They were the Boys of '45, Marine veterans of the Pacific Island hopping campaigns, 18 to 21 year olds, and the career Marines who had been at every clime and place. They were the 3d, 4th, and 5th Marine Divisions and Support Units.
They were the Sailors, Corpsmen, Surgeons, Seabee and Airmen. They were the 5th Fleet and Support Units.
They were all there on or offshore of Iwo Jima, and they fell on the black sand beach and on the terraces; they fell on the flat land and in the quarries; they fell on the high ground and in the gullies; and they went down with their Carrier.
They were all there and then no more.
They crossed the threshold of duty for their Country into the crucible of the ages!
6821 KIA/DOW
We Remember! Semper Fidelis!
Dedicated to all of those who never returned.
Accompanying plaque:
Milestones of the Iwo Jima Struggle
Mt. Suribachi · Motoyama #1 Airfield · Quarry
Motoyama #2 Airfield · Turkey Knob · Amphitheater
Hill 382 · Hill 362A · Cushman's Pocket · Hill 362C
Nishi · Hill 362B · Kita · Kitano Point
This plaque rests on embedded black volcanic sand from the Iwo Jima beach that was the Portal to Hell. May all of us that survived, sit here and contemplate the long struggle with remembrance for those that were stopped at a milestone.
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