22Feb05

On 19 Feb 45, US Marines invaded the Island of Iwo Jima. I was born that same day. Here are some comments from a lad that was only twenty and found

himself of Iwo's shores that morning. Today, he is eighty:

"On the island, whether in contact or standing by, my rifle was alwa ys ready. A round was always in the chamber. Even after fighting ended, each ma n was required to have his weapon with him and loaded, everywhere he went. Most of us carried pistols as well, and they were always loaded too. Those who did n' t have a Garand, had a M1 Carbine or a Thompson. All of us had knives.

There was no 'Green Zone' on Iwo. It was a dangerous place all the time I was there. We would have considered running around unarmed or with an unloaded rifle or pistol to be tantamount to suicide! I can't unde rstand what is going on today. Must we apologize for being ready?"

Comment: The anti-gun crowd can take a lot of credit for the "guns a re icky" attitude that can be currently seen in every branch of the Service. This

old veteran knows better! Most of us do too.

/John