Honoring Our Veterans

Snapshots Spotlight: Honoring Our Veterans

As we honor the many Veterans who have fought for our Great Nation, we owe much to those who have gone before us in making sacrifices to preserve our freedom.

The U.S. Marine Corps War Memorial in Arlington, Virginia

U.S. Marine Corps Photo by Adrian R. Rowan

In reflecting this Veterans Day, I ponder over the fact that there have been many great soldiers who have gone before us in preserving our freedom.  In doing so, I think about my wife’s uncle who was one of the U.S. Marines that fought in the World War II Battle of Iwo Jima. He was one of the luckier ones… he only lost a leg.

Willard A. Cross: PFC. U.S. MarinesPhoto courtesy of Millie Bartlett

Willard A. Cross, “Uncle Bill” to us, was a Private First Class in the U.S. Marines when he landed on Iwo Jima. He made it through that first day, but witnessed events that haunted him his whole life, including holding an 18 year old fellow Marine that died in his arms. On Feb. 20, 1945, the second day of operations on Iwo Jima, he was hit by enemy fire and received major injuries to his leg as well as other shrapnel wounds. His injuries were so bad that he wasn’t expected to live. But he survived the trip to a medical hospital in Germany. From there he was transferred to the Philadelphia Naval Hospital, where he spent around 18 months healing from his wounds and learning to get around with an artificial leg. (Source: Millie Bartlett, Norville, Michigan).Uncle Bill passed away at the age of 90 on February 16, 2013, just 3 days shy of the 68th Anniversary of the D-Day on Iwo Jima. It was a memorable experience witnessing the military gun salute at his gravesite in Napoleon, Michigan. I recall the ceremonious folding of the Stars and Stripes that covered his casket that was then presented to his widow.

The Official Flag Raising on Iwo Jima photo taken by Joe Rosenthal on Feb 23, 1945,
from which the U.S. Marine Corps War Memorial Statue was based upon.
Photo Credit: United States Marine Corps Archives and Special Collections

According to Robert S. Burrell, Author of “The Ghosts of Iwo Jima”, 6,821 American Soldiers gave their life in the Battle of Iwo Jima. Another 19,217 were wounded.1 It was a costly victory in the Pacific during World War II, but allowed the U.S. to establish a key strategic Air Base there within a week after capturing it. In seeing the U.S. Marines Corps War Memorial Statue that honors the brave men who fought and defeated the enemy at Iwo Jima makes me think of Uncle Bill. Knowing this great man that was there, helps me to appreciate even more, those Veterans who have gone before us, in protecting and preserving our freedom and liberty. 

This Veterans Day, ask your relatives if you have any ancestors that have been Veterans, and make a special effort to remember them, and if they are still alive, thank them for their sacrifices they have made to their Country.

The Snapshots Across America card for the
U.S. Marine Corps War Memorial
 (also known as the Iwo Jima Statue)