Tonight is First Airing of Ken Burns War Documentary on PBS

[almaty 19]

total agreement..it is sad to see all the lives on both side of the war...and the civilians too

[Peikko 1,575]

I didn't see this, but I do think it's important that each generation looks at the first and second world wars and tries to get a perspective on what it meant then, what it means to us now, and how much of an effect 'World War' had.

What is interesting to me is how compassionate most of these old service men are. Many of these people seem to look back and wonder if they had any other choice but to kill and very much regret the deaths of civilians in particular but even the deaths of ordinary soldiers like themselves who were on the apposing side. They recognise that many of these men were fighting because their country called them to arms, not because they agreed with the ideology of their leaders and this recognition seems to expose their current discomfort with something they can only reconcile because this was a war that can be viewed, even now, as a war of justice against tyranny.

I did watch a series called "Bommer Boys" where they took a group of young men (grandchildren of those who served) and made them go through a training camp similar to that which their grandparents' experienced. I found it very heartwarming to see how much closer these young men became to their grand parents and how much more vividly they understood their legacy after they had experienced it first had, even if only in terms of the training rather than combat. Very enlightening.

[Addie_Goodvibes 0]

In March of 1995 my SBU unit was asked to join an amphib . reenactment of the Battle of Iwo JIM to commemorate the 50th anniversary.

I was honored to be able to be a part of such a historical event. We landed with 2 LCAC's and a wave of AAV's

a plattoon of marines and a group of 25 navy persoanl 8 of which were part of my SBU unit.

When we saw the island a was shocked at how tiny it was , as I had pictured a much bigger island with a towering volcanic feature,

it was small and lifeless.

We landed ashore and commenced the ceremony where veteran survivors from both sides spoke and gave their honro to their fallen soldiera as well as gave peace and returned belongs to the survivors Japanese & US taken from fallen enemies during the battles .

After a heartfelt and emotionalceremony from the vets The widow of the Iwo Jima Commander spoke, she could barely put words togther but the metion and depth of pain could be felt in her trembling withered voice.

After the ceremony we were given aprox. 2 hours to explore the island.

Iwo Jima Was lifeless . void of any plants except an occasional flowering weed.

There bunkers hidden beneath the dead falt terrain, the housed Rusted remains of machine guns, and artillary, We even stumbled across

an battles remaines of a japanese Fuselage covered to be hidden in a bunker, there was a impression of the planes emblem ( Rising sun) on the walls of the bunker wehre the pane had deterioated from age , all was preserved as the day the island was evacuated.

We would see scattered remains of battle none of whihc we were permitted to touch ( we were given order to " NOT TOUCH SO MUCH AS 1 GRAIN OF SAND"

there scattered shells on the balck rocky beach, The beautiful waves gently slapped the shore almost caressing the dead island.

Mt. Suribachi was a simple Hill maybe 600 feet high. It was a lifeless monuted pitted 7 gutted from battle with carved with bunkers andtired terrasin.

We finished the climb effortlessly but keeping in mind that the was not opposing gun fire from above. walking over the very soild that cost the highest death toll of any battle to date fro least return. It was as the Vets in the ceromony soke the most costly painfull event they ever faced in their lives.

Once on top we could see the entire Island from the Mound that was Suribachi. It was a peaceful view over a haunted dead terrain.

There was a monument atop Surbachi preserving the site where the final flag was hoisted and givng commeration to both sides who lost lives.

It amazed me how humans can do this to eachother.

As we were leaving the island we were given a coin commerating the 5oth anniversary of Battle of Iwo Jima and a glass Vile of Black Sand, To this day they sit in a shadow box along with a US Flad I hoisted on the LHA that dropped us off the shore of Iwo Jim.

As we were leaving the island the sun was ready to set.

Going out to see to board the LHa we could see shadowed behind the Pink sky the shadow and farewell of an island the although is lifeless and dead in appearance.

It holds a the spirits and memories of thousands of humans, who fought hard for the freedoms we all have to day. I smiled and took some photos of what intially to me was not much of a sight but the expereince became a beautiful reminder to me of how blessed i am to have what i have and how hard our ancestors fought for freedosm some take fro granted. I also thought that there is so much more beauty in the world that sometiems is hidden under dark cover or the most lifeless places.

That was one the highlightes of my military career I will never forget that day.

[almaty 19]

In March of 1995 my SBU unit was asked to join an amphib . reenactment of the Battle of Iwo JIM to commemorate the 50th anniversary.

I was honored to be able to be a part of such a historical event. We landed with 2 LCAC's and a wave of AAV's

a plattoon of marines and a group of 25 navy persoanl 8 of which were part of my SBU unit.

When we saw the island a was shocked at how tiny it was , as I had pictured a much bigger island with a towering volcanic feature,

it was small and lifeless.

We landed ashore and commenced the ceremony where veteran survivors from both sides spoke and gave their honro to their fallen soldiera as well as gave peace and returned belongs to the survivors Japanese & US taken from fallen enemies during the battles .

After a heartfelt and emotionalceremony from the vets The widow of the Iwo Jima Commander spoke, she could barely put words togther but the metion and depth of pain could be felt in her trembling withered voice.

After the ceremony we were given aprox. 2 hours to explore the island.

Iwo Jima Was lifeless . void of any plants except an occasional flowering weed.

There bunkers hidden beneath the dead falt terrain, the housed Rusted remains of machine guns, and artillary, We even stumbled across

an battles remaines of a japanese Fuselage covered to be hidden in a bunker, there was a impression of the planes emblem ( Rising sun) on the walls of the bunker wehre the pane had deterioated from age , all was preserved as the day the island was evacuated.

We would see scattered remains of battle none of whihc we were permitted to touch ( we were given order to " NOT TOUCH SO MUCH AS 1 GRAIN OF SAND"

there scattered shells on the balck rocky beach, The beautiful waves gently slapped the shore almost caressing the dead island.

Mt. Suribachi was a simple Hill maybe 600 feet high. It was a lifeless monuted pitted 7 gutted from battle with carved with bunkers andtired terrasin.

We finished the climb effortlessly but keeping in mind that the was not opposing gun fire from above. walking over the very soild that cost the highest death toll of any battle to date fro least return. It was as the Vets in the ceromony soke the most costly painfull event they ever faced in their lives.

Once on top we could see the entire Island from the Mound that was Suribachi. It was a peaceful view over a haunted dead terrain.

There was a monument atop Surbachi preserving the site where the final flag was hoisted and givng commeration to both sides who lost lives.

It amazed me how humans can do this to eachother.

As we were leaving the island we were given a coin commerating the 5oth anniversary of Battle of Iwo Jima and a glass Vile of Black Sand, To this day they sit in a shadow box along with a US Flad I hoisted on the LHA that dropped us off the shore of Iwo Jim.

As we were leaving the island the sun was ready to set.

Going out to see to board the LHa we could see shadowed behind the Pink sky the shadow and farewell of an island the although is lifeless and dead in appearance.

It holds a the spirits and memories of thousands of humans, who fought hard for the freedoms we all have to day. I smiled and took some photos of what intially to me was not much of a sight but the expereince became a beautiful reminder to me of how blessed i am to have what i have and how hard our ancestors fought for freedosm some take fro granted. I also thought that there is so much more beauty in the world that sometiems is hidden under dark cover or the most lifeless places.

That was one the highlightes of my military career I will never forget that day.

wow, that sounded like a great experience...............

[Addie_Goodvibes 0]

In March of 1995 my SBU unit was asked to join an amphib . reenactment of the Battle of Iwo JIM to commemorate the 50th anniversary.

I was honored to be able to be a part of such a historical event. We landed with 2 LCAC's and a wave of AAV's

a plattoon of marines and a group of 25 navy persoanl 8 of which were part of my SBU unit.

When we saw the island a was shocked at how tiny it was , as I had pictured a much bigger island with a towering volcanic feature,

it was small and lifeless.

We landed ashore and commenced the ceremony where veteran survivors from both sides spoke and gave their honro to their fallen soldiera as well as gave peace and returned belongs to the survivors Japanese & US taken from fallen enemies during the battles .

After a heartfelt and emotionalceremony from the vets The widow of the Iwo Jima Commander spoke, she could barely put words togther but the metion and depth of pain could be felt in her trembling withered voice.

After the ceremony we were given aprox. 2 hours to explore the island.

Iwo Jima Was lifeless . void of any plants except an occasional flowering weed.

There bunkers hidden beneath the dead falt terrain, the housed Rusted remains of machine guns, and artillary, We even stumbled across

an battles remaines of a japanese Fuselage covered to be hidden in a bunker, there was a impression of the planes emblem ( Rising sun) on the walls of the bunker wehre the pane had deterioated from age , all was preserved as the day the island was evacuated.

We would see scattered remains of battle none of whihc we were permitted to touch ( we were given order to " NOT TOUCH SO MUCH AS 1 GRAIN OF SAND"

there scattered shells on the balck rocky beach, The beautiful waves gently slapped the shore almost caressing the dead island.

Mt. Suribachi was a simple Hill maybe 600 feet high. It was a lifeless monuted pitted 7 gutted from battle with carved with bunkers andtired terrasin.

We finished the climb effortlessly but keeping in mind that the was not opposing gun fire from above. walking over the very soild that cost the highest death toll of any battle to date fro least return. It was as the Vets in the ceromony soke the most costly painfull event they ever faced in their lives.

Once on top we could see the entire Island from the Mound that was Suribachi. It was a peaceful view over a haunted dead terrain.

There was a monument atop Surbachi preserving the site where the final flag was hoisted and givng commeration to both sides who lost lives.

It amazed me how humans can do this to eachother.

As we were leaving the island we were given a coin commerating the 5oth anniversary of Battle of Iwo Jima and a glass Vile of Black Sand, To this day they sit in a shadow box along with a US Flad I hoisted on the LHA that dropped us off the shore of Iwo Jim.

As we were leaving the island the sun was ready to set.

Going out to see to board the LHa we could see shadowed behind the Pink sky the shadow and farewell of an island the although is lifeless and dead in appearance.

It holds a the spirits and memories of thousands of humans, who fought hard for the freedoms we all have to day. I smiled and took some photos of what intially to me was not much of a sight but the expereince became a beautiful reminder to me of how blessed i am to have what i have and how hard our ancestors fought for freedosm some take fro granted. I also thought that there is so much more beauty in the world that sometiems is hidden under dark cover or the most lifeless places.

That was one the highlightes of my military career I will never forget that day.

wow, that sounded like a great experience...............

excuse all the typos, It was a great expereince, humbeling and a reminder of how good we really have it today and why we are a free nation.

When people ask me about the my tarvels and my most memorable place i visited In all its simplicity Iwo Jima tops the list, due to its historical significants. Living in Japan for over 3 years (18months Military, almost3 years civilian) i was able to learn a lot about japanese Culture & History.

I see beauty and how they preserve their culture even post WWII, Seeing the Hiroshima & Nagasaki Bombing sites I was able to look through the eyes of the Japanese it was an awakening humbling experience. Thereis beauty now in lessons learned and Hope to move forward to a peaceful future.

I am Not an advocate for any war , but I understand how soemtimes it is necceasry and appreciate the freedoms we are afforded by strengthing our borders, and enforcing the laws of our nation.

Edited September 24, 2007 by Addie_Goodvibes

[Trompe le Monde 1,107]

Did you see either Flags of Our Fathers or Letters from Iwo Jima? Both very moving films

[one...two...tree 2,762]

Did you see either Flags of Our Fathers or Letters from Iwo Jima? Both very moving films

I've seen Flags of Our Fathers - good film, but I'm really enjoying Ken Burns documentary - his presentation is very clear in terms of the progression of events. I'm amazed at how our country went from being totally unprepared in December 1941, to going on the offensive in the Summer of 1942.

One thing that made sense - a big part of the war strategy for both sides was to cut off supply lines for the enemy. That is one thing that I haven't heard talked about in the years we've been in Iraq.

[Addie_Goodvibes 0]

Did you see either Flags of Our Fathers or Letters from Iwo Jima? Both very moving films

Yes saw them both, was not impressed with Flags of Our fathers, I appreciated the historical significance of the tie in with the War bond drive and the reality and brutal truth of the battle.

To set foot on the actual soil that al this took place was a haulting reminder of how not so distant events shaped who we are today, The sacrifices & prices paid for a patch of dead terrain had such a dramtic impact on the outcome and events leading to the end of WWII.

I can't say i am entirely Proud of everything America is doing now, or how we go about politics today, but I am Proud to be American and appreciate the freedoms and riches we have. We may have a flaws in our govt. and our foriegn policies but we are the best Nation in the world with the most Freedoms, & richest country with more opportunity given to us daily which would not be if those who fought for our freedom did not continue and give their hearts for the future of their country knowing they woul dnever taste the fruits of a free prosperous nation.

[Addie_Goodvibes 0]

Did you see either Flags of Our Fathers or Letters from Iwo Jima? Both very moving films

I've seen Flags of Our Fathers - good film, but I'm really enjoying Ken Burns documentary - his presentation is very clear in terms of the progression of events. I'm amazed at how our country went from being totally unprepared in December 1941, to going on the offensive in the Summer of 1942.

One thing that made sense - a big part of the war strategy for both sides was to cut off supply lines for the enemy. That is one thing that I haven't heard talked about in the years we've been in Iraq.

I also was impressed at the startedy and angle used in the military efforts on the Pacific front.

It showed the USA stratedy was superior, although the Japanese had will to fight until the last man, they lacked the strategy in the entire war, to attack Pearl Harbour with a knowing result of nothing more than to provoke, it shows that USA had the strength in process & Execution of long term stratedy that ensured the victory, the pride of the Japanese ensured their defeat at GC

Remember the account of the Guadal Canal on how whne the soldiers first landed they met no resisatnce and were accountng boredom,only later at GC they learned of the massive fight that would meet them

Well they ascent up Suribachi was the same, The infamous statue of the Flag raising upon Iwo Jima make sit out make some believe the fight up Suribachi was harder than it was.

They met little resistance in the climb, an occasion attack form a bunker that ended in Japanese suicides. It demonstartes how the propoganda of war gave certain images back home to help drive the effort of funding the War.

Even the non disclosure of total lives loss and promoting "GREAT sea battles and victories" all to drive the USA's Moral & Motivation to fund the war.

Bataan incident shopws the depth of decpetion and carelessness or lack of resources to prtoect those we send to fight.

Even today, in iraq the chaos is played down, the loss of lives is blown aside and the American Public is sheltered from the true realities of the battle, In Contrast, sometimes we are made to believe it is worse than it really is, media propaganda will play on tragedy rather than victory, other times we are robbed of our tax dollars with out having the knowledge to know how the progress is turning out.

That is the true deception of War. But it is neccesary in certain times as such in WWII.

Edited September 24, 2007 by Addie_Goodvibes

[almaty 19]

good posts brother addie ...thanks ........................dean