Hello, this is pastor gary from first baptist church of laplata. On this date in history, 77 years ago, the American flag was raised over Mt. Suribachi on the island of Iwo Jima in 1945. The picture of US Marines raising the flag is the most reproduced photograph in human history and provided the inspiration for the Marine Corps Memorial in Arlington, Virginia. The little known fact is that the picture was actually staged. True enough, Marines did raise a much smaller flag, and a Marine photographer snapped a picture of it; however, once an Associated Press photographer was found, the scene was re-enacted with a much larger flag for the camera and public distribution. Regardless, the US Marines fought long and hard to take the island and raise the US flag losing 6000 comrades in the process; in addition, 17,000 Marines were wounded. While war is horrific, sometimes war is the only way to defeat evil and establish peace—even Jesus will do this one day according to Revelation 19:21. When I think of soldiers who have died for our country and my freedom, I think of Jesus’ words in John 15:13 where He said, “Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.” Though I never met them, I consider the soldiers who gave their lives for me to be my friends. My best friend, though, is Jesus Who not only said that friendship is proven in death, He specifically died for me. For His sacrifice, I am eternally grateful.
Leave a Reply