3.28.2025 Iwo Jima Recognition Day

good morning everyone and welcome to the city of Fall Rivers recognition of the end of the battle of iima my name is tor Ferris I am the director of veteran services for the city and I thank you all for showing forgive me here the wind is a bit much here first I'd like to welcome up city of Fall River mayor Paul cougan wind's a little brutal sorry wind's a little brutal I just want to thank

everybody for coming out today it's always important when we acknowledge the sacrifice people made to keep this country free and EO gima is one of those great days that we honor the the tradition of what went on in that South Pacific again this is I was just talking to Bruce I've been here when there's poll the bears are chasing us around the park so it's a little better today but

it's still cold and again I want to appreciate everybody for making the effort to get down here today I won't be able to stay for the whole ceremony I'm double booked but I did want to make sure I was here I appreciate it thank you mayor kouan next we will have the presentation of Colors by the Fall River Police Department Honor Guard car our national anthem will be Sayang today by Emily noroi

present see the dawn what sooud we at the Twilight last who Bright Stars through the or the ramp part we G and the RO red glare the boms in in gave proof through the night that our FL was still there do that star the

order UPS thank you Emily for that beautiful rendition next we will have the Pledge of Allegiance by councilman Andrew Raposa I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the Republic for which it stands one nation under God indivisible with liberty and justice for all order CK you thank you councilman understanding that is a little chilly out uh and windy we're

going to move right along next we have father Rob nimich for our invocation let us pray Lord Our God As We Gather on this day of recognition for the 80th anniversary of the end of the battle of iima a pivotal battle in the second world war turning the tides in the Pacific Theater it is with gratitude we honor and remember The Bravery of those Marines and service members who fought

with great great resilience to gain a victory and battle and allow freedom to continue in our nation and across the world their legacy of selfless sacrifice Valor and heroic service is an example left for us to honor and to inspire our continued service and dedication to God and to our country as we pay homage to those who fought in the battle of eima the this day as well as all in the second world

war may we dedicate ourselves to continue the Heritage that has been entrusted to us through their service and sacrifice this we ask in your holy name amen thank you Father Rob and to start our festivities today on the legacy of iima I'd like to welcome up Massachusetts state representative Carol Fiola

probably uh good morning everyone great to be with you once again at one of fall River's amazing uh veteran remembrances uh it's very moving to stand in front of this incredible Monument as as we were reflecting father Rob's prayers um I was looking at just the the marks of the sand on that Marine hands as he was reaching up um and and just it just gave me shivers to think uh of that day when

almost 7,000 although we were victorious over almost 7,000 of our Marines lost their lives I'm here today on behalf of state Senator Michael Rodricks who's represented by Moren here today Moren Flanigan state representative and Marine Allen Sylvia and State Representative Steve wette who could not be here with us so um I I am absolutely Rec you know on their behalf today um there is no

greater time that we spend is When We Gather here in Fall River for our our veterans those present here today I see Marines thank you I see our Vietnam veterans and tomorrow will be Vietnam Veterans Day uh as we honor that and and today as we think about that day of calm as they approached the beach not realizing what they were about to face and I I I again shiver thinking of each individual

Marine standing there fighting there approaching that beach for us and for the freedom that we have here today and so in Massachusetts by Statute by law we celebrate in February eima day today here we recognize the end of of that battle and um and we're here to thank each and every veteran past present and most important to me today are the gold staff families that are here uh who

continue to carry that pain with them every day at this and today as we stand here in this amazing Park of of Memorial uh we can reflect and feel so blessed to live in a community uh with a mayor and city council and veterans community that honors every one of our veterans past and present so thank you tals thank you all for being here and um hurah I guess thank you representative

fola quick hands I'm going to offer up a few words here

ladies and gentlemen honored guests veterans and friends today We Gather to commemorate a defining moment in our nation's history the end of the battle of iima which occurred 80 years ago this battle was not just a pivotal point in World War II it was a testament to the courage sacrifice and resilience of our Marines and sailors as we reflect on this significant anniversary we acknowledge the Staggering cost of this

battle over 70,000 US troops landed on Aima facing Fierce resistance from approximately 21,000 Japanese soldiers the battle lasted 36 days and resulted in approximately 7,000 American casualties with nearly a thousand still unaccounted for on the other side nearly 20,000 Japanese soldiers perished highlighting the fierce determination of both sides these numbers remind us of the heavy

price paid for freedom and The Bravery exhibited by those who fought among the brave men who fought on that island were several from the state of Massachusetts its citizens giving 10,000 lives in World War II their unwavering spirit and determination exemplified the best of our country and they fought not just for victory but for the ideals of freedom and democracy that we hold dear the

Battle of iima was marked by a fierce combat and extraordinary bravery it was here that iconic image of Marines raising the American flag was captured a symbol of Hope and perseverance that continues to inspire Generations each flag raised on that island represented not only the Triumph of our military but also the enduring Spirit of those who stood shoulder toh shoulder in the face of overwhelming

odds as we reflect on The Valor of those who fought we are reminded of the Marine Corps ethos that shaped Legends none more revered than Lieutenant General Lewis chesty puller while chesty puller did not serve at inima his leadership in the Pacific Theater during World War II left an indelible mark on the Marine Corps history he led Marines in some of the most grueling battles of that war including gu Canal cape

glocka and pelo known for leading from the front puler inspired his men with Fearless determination and earned multiple Navy crosses for his heroism Under Fire his Battlefield leadership helped shape the very kind of fighting spirit that won places like iima and his legacy echoes in every Marine who stormed that Island when we honor the Warriors of iima we also honor Chessy puller the kind of

leader who taught Marines how to endure overcome and never Retreat as we honor the legacy of those who fought and sacrificed we also recognize ongoing efforts to preserve their memory I would like to extend our heartfelt gratitude to the Marine Corps League Detachment 1285 of Somerset the Fall River War veterans Council and the many others that that help erect this Monument their dedication and hard work

in erecting the replica Monument here in Bicentennial Park serves as a lasting tribute to the heroes of uima and all veterans this moment this Monument stands not only as a poignant reminder of their bravery but also as a focal point for our community to gather reflect and pay tribute to those who have served today we also remember those who did not return excuse me the families that bore the

weight of their loss and the communities that rally behind them in support we are eternally grateful for their sacrifices and the sacrifices of those who have served their legacy lives on in every freedom we enjoy today as we reflect on The Bravery displayed on that Battlefield let us also commit ourselves to supporting our veterans and their amilies we must ensure that their sacrifices are never forgotten and that

they receive the care and respect they deserve in closing let us honor the memory of those who have fought in the Battle of iima and all veterans from Massachusetts and Beyond may we strive to embody their courage in our daily lives and may their legacy guide us as we work together for a brighter future thank you

at this time we will lay the reefs I invite councilman reposo and representative Fiola to the front to affix the reefs next to the monument

at this time we will have a moment of silence and taps performed by dery High School trumpet player Omar Muhammad

the

thank you more and now we will have brief remarks from myself but first commant of the Marine Court Detachment over in Somerset 1285 Bruce Aldridge yes sir you don't mind I'm going to sit that's all right

I will make this very short I've done too many services down here in the years it takes a dumb jaw had a long time to understand but we finally got it and said we're not going to do it this year until the weather gets better what I would like to just say a couple of short things I had a lot to I wanted to recognize a lot of people help me I SP

15 years of my life down here in this park and I had a lot of people help me and I wanted to recognize them but a day like today is not to do it that's why we're trying to plan something later on when the weather is better but this Monument was Don was dedicated in 2005 for 5 years the city didn't nothing it went to went bad the monument had never been cleaned

it was rushing from the inside out it was all weeds and M mud around here I went to the mayor at the time and told him we're not happy the Marine col League's not happy he said well you guys go ahead and start doing what you wanted to do so we taking it over and since then I've been involved with the ghost off families the war on terror and the Vietnam

Wall and i' like I said I've given 15 years of my life down here and I'm still doing it every two weeks I come down and check the flags and check everything but it's getting to the point where I can't but I do want to bring something up and I've mentioned it to the mayor once before last year that walkway over behind the wall I would hope that before I leave

this earth that the mayor the city council and even Carol because part of that walkway is state property and the rest of is City property I would like to see that all fixed up like these other walkways around here because it makes this park look bad compared to everything else that's in here and like I said I want to recognize all the people who help me over the years but I

won't do it today I wouldn't put you through that misery I've done it too many time thank you thank you Bruce

ra and now I will offer a few words of tribute to the flag raising itself on February 23rd 1945 a top the volcanic soil of Mount sarbach 6 us Marines raised our nation's flag in the midst of one of the fiercest battle in our history that image became a symbol of unity resilience and hope not just for a nation at War but for generations to come as a veteran it is my honor to

reread this tribute not only to the flag that was raised but to the spirit of those who raised it and to all who stood with them on that island that day let us remember their j s Sergeant Michael stren Corporal Haron block private first class Franklin solley private first class Renee gagan private first class Ira Hayes private first class Harold Schulz now I offer this tribute in their

honor and in honor of every Warrior who never came home high above the Black Sands of iima a flag was raised simple in motion profound in meaning it was a moment captured in a single frame and that would echo through history six men struggled against wind weight and War lifted more than a flag pole they lifted the spirit of a nation that image echoed into the soul of America became more than a photograph it became a

promise that no matter the cost we will endure that even in our darkest hour we will rise and that freedom though never free will always have Defenders willing to raise their hands and raise that flag it was not the first flag raised that day nor was it the end of the battle but it was a symbol of what was possible that courage could hold the line that Unity could pierce the fog of

war that hope could fly even on foreign soil paid for by the blood of the Brave those Marines and sailors who planted that flag on Mount sarbach stood for all who had fought all who were still fighting and all who would never return and they stand even now as a silent Sentinel in bronze and in the memory reminding us of the price of Liberty so today we honor that flag and the

hands that raised it we honor the hill they climbed and the hell they endured we honor the Legacy they left behind and the freedom they helped secure may we always look to that image and remember the flag does not Wave by wind alone it flies on the shoulders of Heroes thank you

if there are any veterans um certainly probably not but if we do have any veterans or family members of veterans from World War II or the Battle of iima would you please raise your hand thank you guys for being here and thank you for your family member sacrifice I would now like toose CL the ceremony with a benediction from father Rob I'm just F that

over let us pray as we close this sacred ceremony in this Sacred Space acknowledging the debt of so many who sacrificed for our freedom and liberty during the battle of iima I want to share with you part of a prayer and service given by US Navy chaplain Ronald gson from March 26th 1945 at the fifth Marine Division Cemetery in iima and these are his words which I think are very fitting today as a closing prayer in

benediction this is perhaps the grimmest and surely the holiest task we have faced since D-Day here before us lie the bodies of comrades and Friends men who until yesterday or last week laughed with us joked with us traveled with us men who were on the same ships with us and went over the sides with us as we hit the beaches of this island men who fought with us and feared us to speak in

memory of such men as these is not easy of them too can it be said with utter truth the world will little note nor long remember what we say here today but it will never forget what they did here now our poor power of speech can add nothing to what these men and the other dead of our division who are not here have already done all that we can hope

to do is to follow their example to show the same selfless courage in peace that they did in war to swear that by the grace of God the stubborn strength and power of the human will their sons and daughters and ours will never suffer these pains again these men have done their job well they have paid the ghastly price of Freedom if that freedom be once again lost as it is after the

last war the unforgivable blame will be ours not theirs so it is we the living who are here to be dedicated and consecrated we dedicate ourselves first to live together in peace the way that they fought and are buried here in war here lie Men Who Loved America because their ancestors and generations ago helped in her founding and others who loved her with equal passion because they themselves or their own parents

escaped from oppression to her blessed Shores thus do we memorialize those having ceased living with us now and be with us thus do we consecrate ourselves to living to carrying on the struggle that they began too much blood has gone into this soil for us to forget too much pain and heartache have fertilized this earth on which we stand we here solemnly swear that this shall not be done in vain vain out of this and

from the suffering and sorrow of those who mourn this we come with promise the birth of a new freedom for the sons of men everywhere and in closing we ask almighty God your heavenly blessings upon all of our veterans their families as well as those currently serving our country we also ask your blessing on those who prepared this ceremony for us honoring this great battle in the history of our country this we ask in

your holy name amen may God bless you all and may God bless the United States of America thank you Father ra for that beautiful benediction Honor Guard you may now retire the colors detail carry

right again I'd like to thank you all for attending this ceremony recognizing the end of the battle of Aima have a great day