Reader Report: Oorah for effort to raise Iwo Jima monument

The Iwo Jima veteran, Juan Montano from Chula Vista, arrived first.

“I have something for you!” he said.

Surprised and humbled, he handed me the program book from the 1999 dedication at Camp Pendleton of a small Iwo Jima battle memorial.

I found the list of names who died in that battle — 5,931 Marines, 890 Navy sailors and 37 U.S. Army soldiers — astonishing and sobering.

The luncheon, “A Celebration of Courage,” held Oct. 31 at The Island Hotel was designed to hear the message from Iwo Jima veterans of their need for financial support for the projected $10 million cost to buy, transport across the U.S., and build a spectacular Iwo Jima Monument Memorial at Camp Pendleton that would be viewable from Interstate 5.

Three Iwo Jima veterans spoke to the 175 assembled: Bill Behana, with his explanation of the phrase “Once a Marine, Always a Marine”; the corpsman, “Doc” Herman Rabeck, whose first day of hell on the island in February 1945 included treating perhaps as many as 250 wounded; and passionate speaker Jim Scotella, who barely survived the 36 days of hell.

Retired Lt. Gen. Terry Robling, a former commander of Marines in the Pacific, described his support for event sponsor Iwo Jima Monument West’s goals.

While acknowledging how humbled he was to be in the company of 13 Iwo Jima veterans, the three-star general emphasized “… the tenacity and courage of those who fought the battle ensured the survival of the Marine Corps for what we all hope is eternity…”

In fact, the famous flag-raising Associated Press photograph by Joseph Rosenthal “electrified” the war-weary public, which forced newspapers to publish extra copies, as everyone wanted to have one, and resulted in one of the most popular postage stamps of all time. Everyone wanted that image!

After Behana, Rabeck and Scotella spoke with extended ovations, architect Curtis Fentress described his visit to Iwo Jima in 2002. He’d been retained to design and build the National Museum of the Marine Corps, inspired by the flag raising.

In explaining his qualifications in a June 7 letter to Iwo Jima Monument West, he told of his being on Iwo Jima to see firsthand the unparalleled defenses by the Japanese, the 17 miles of underground tunnels, including a hospital.

Fentress said that it “gives us special insight and preparation for this assignment.” Then, dramatically, he unveiled the model. Retired Marine Col. Gregory Raths and Col. Michael Naylor presided as guests rushed to get a photo of the model, lighted like a jewel in a case fit for any store at Fashion Island.

It’s a beacon of freedom. For Marines, it is their war memorial, a remembrance of every Marine who made the ultimate sacrifice. I had learned that most of the 450,000 Marines in World War II trained at and went through Camp Pendleton on their way to the Pacific theater.

The base needs its own flag-raising monument that would represent its enormous significance to the Marines and the nation. This is the perfect home. Not only that, but it will face the ocean, where the battle took place, and be viewable to millions every year from their vehicles and boats.

Perhaps our yachting community can start a race to signify our appreciation for Marines and other veterans of the Pacific. In fact, maybe the race should take place on Dec. 7 each year as a constant reminder of Pearl Harbor, which we must not forget.

To that end, to buy a monument, transport it from Connecticut to California and place it at a permanent home at Camp Pendleton seems the right thing to do. Volunteers supporting the Iwo Jima Monument Trust (a.k.a. “Operation Home of the Brave”) are now concentrating on the element to make this happen.

To ensure good stewardship, the goal is to have 90% of the funds in hand or pledged by year’s end. The pricetag is $10 million, with 75% for the memorial site construction.

To meet the goal of preservation and minimal maintenance, Fentress Architects has created a glass enclosure, based on technology developed in Europe, that provides 24/7 protection from the elements but still allows accessibility.

Lighted at night, it will be a beacon of freedom, in the glow of red, white and blue that every Marine (2.8 million) understands. An endorsement from the national Iwo Jima Association of America is expected soon.

Volunteering on behalf of Iwo Jima Monument West Trust for architectural needs is Richard Dodd in Newport Beach and certified public accountant Chris Wynkoop of Corona del Mar from a Marine Corps family.

As I recently said, “These men gave their all and lived through hell. Only $10 million in funding in the next two months stands in the way to complete by the end of next year before we have lost all of our Iwo Jima veterans.

“There are Marine Corps leaders in this community that can make this happen. A final mission that is profound, forever, incorporating the spirit of America, celebrating courage that stirs the souls of Americans in spite of current political tides.”

Thus, this is for the few Iwo Jima vets still with us, the proud, who are models for every Marine, and all Marines, to whom we can say, this gift is for you, past, present and future.

For information call 844-IWO-JIMA, email marinesoniwojima@gmail.com or visit marinesoniwojima.comhttps://www.marinesoniwojima.com to make a tax-deductible donation by check, PayPal, or interbank transfers, payable to Iwo Jima Monument West (EIN 46-7128553) 3535 E. Coast Hwy., Corona del Mar, CA 92625

Newport Beach resident LAURA DIETZ is the military liaison for the Newport Beach Sunrise Rotary.