On the 80th Anniversary of the beginning of the Battle of Iwo Jima this week, President Donald Trump issued a proclamation encouraging all Americans to remember the “selfless patriots of the Greatest Generation."
“Eighty years ago, on the morning of February 19, 1945, the first wave of United States Marines landed on the island of Iwo Jima -- commencing 36 long, perilous days of gruesome warfare, and one of the most consequential campaigns of the Second World War,” said the proclamation.
Iwo Jima was a crucial battle in the victory over the Pacific during World War II securing an airbase for US bombers and providing key protection of the flank for the invasion of Okinawa.
Rich Acritelli, Curator VFW 6249 Suffolk County World War II and Military History Museum said, “Locally, we have many citizens who either served at Iwo Jima or had family members that served on that rock of an island. Almost every family in this nation and on Long Island made sacrifices in the defense of this country.”
Trump’s statement read, “Five days into the conflict, six Marines ascended the island's highest peak and hoisted Old Glory into the summit of Mount Suribachi -- a triumphant moment that has stood the test of time as a lasting symbol of the grit, resolve, and unflinching courage of Marines and all of those who serve our Nation in uniform.
"After five weeks of unrelenting warfare, the island was declared secure, and our victory advanced America's cause in the Pacific Theater -- but at a staggering cost. Of the 70,000 men assembled for the campaign, nearly 7,000 Marines and Sailors died, and 20,000 more were wounded,” said Trump's statement.
“Winning the Battle of Iwo Jima signaled the beginning of the end of Japanese rule because we were getting closer towards their home islands. It was just a terrible, terrible battle because the misleading part of it was when the flag went up everyone thought that was victory. All that showed was that that was the end of the first phase of the fighting,” said Acritelli.
Acritelli spoke of Private First Class Anthony James Denimarck Sr. “who was a tough Brooklyn kid who enlisted into the United States Marine Corps on April 7th, 1943. After graduating from Parris Island, South Carolina, he trained as an amphibious tractor crewman. He was deployed across the Pacific Ocean/Asia and experienced some of the harshest fighting of the war,
On February 23rd, 1945, during a brief respite, Anthony watched the "Flag Raising at lwo Jima." His leadership qualities were absorbed by his son Michael, who played football for Newfield H.S., for the Detroit Lions, and was highly instrumental in coaching players at Comsewogue High School.”
The Military Museum also features Paul Bowler who was part of a long line of Bowler Brothers who served this country. Bowler was from Hicksville and was a close friend of Ted Williams, as they were both fighter pilots for the United States Marine Corps. Bowler saw the triumphs of war through the advancing forces of the military to take the fiercely held islands of Iwo Jima and Okinawa.
“He (Bowler) is looking down today on a strong family name that has emerged as teachers, lawyers, business figures, journalism, and the coaching of lacrosse. His son Michael, an educator, coach, and club advisor, inherited his leadership skills as one of the finest lacrosse coaches ever to lead young men at Rocky Point High School,” says the exhibit.
Trump’s proclamation ends saying, “The battle of Iwo Jima was defined by massive casualties but also acts of gallantry -- 27 Marines and Sailors received the Medal of Honor for their valor during Iwo Jima. No other single battle in our Nation's history bears this distinction. Eighty years later, we proudly continue to honor their heroism said the proclamation.”