Towns County to commemorate 75th anniversay of Iwo Jima

YOUNG HARRIS, Ga. – Towns County is scheduled to commemorate the 75th anniversary of the Battle of Iwo Jima on Monday, Feb. 17, at 10 a.m. at the Towns County Conference and Recreation Center in Young Harris.

Click to read: Iwo Jima survivors honored at 74th-anniversary ceremony

“This year our most honorable members of our Marine Corps Leauge Unicoi Detachment #783 will host and present significant dialogue on this event which we should never forget,” United States Coast Guard veteran Scott Drummond announced. “Amongst those will be Marines, Wayne Roshaven, Walt Scott, Sal Laratta (who was there), Ash Todd, Brandy Creel (USAF retired), and Richard Hoibraten (U.S. Navy SEABEE retired.) Sanctioned by our Towns County Commissioner Cliff Bradshaw is the forthcoming national announcement to be published in the ‘Black Sands’ magazine in order to invite others into Towns County to see our unique Iwo Jima steel sculpture of the flag raising on Suribachi.”

Iwo Jima veteran Clarence “Bud” Johnson is expected to attend this year’s event.

It has been 75 years since the epic World War II Battle of Iwo Jima began, but time has not erased the effect it continues to impart on American lives. On Feb. 19, 1945, United States Marine Corps forces made an amphibious landing on the volcanic shores of the Japanese island, and what ensued became the bloodiest engagement of the war. During the six weeks of brutal combat that followed, more than 25,000 American casualties transpired, including nearly 7,000 deaths. Service members from every branch of the United States military played a vital role in securing victory.

“Please bear in mind that in all wars and other dangerous missions, our men and women in uniform, those who gave their lives are our real heroes, resting at the right hand of our Supreme Commander,” Drummond stated. “They did not want to die. They gratefully wanted to serve America and their brothers and sisters in uniform to the best of their ability. Freedom most certainly isn’t free, then, now, or ever. And since politicians – not soldiers, sailors, airmen, or Marines- are constantly ‘stirring the pot’ with misconceived ideologies, our only reason for existence are those who give of themselves in military service. Si vis pacem, para bellum.”

“Si vis pacem, para bellum” is a Latin adage, translated, “If you want peace, prepare for war.”

The public is invited to attend the commemoration event.