Return To Iwo

When Steven Spielberg made the film “Saving Private Ryan,” one of the reasons he did so was to honor the men who fought in that war. He used the D-Day invasion as his topic for that honor. But World War II was a global war, fought on many fronts by many people of all ages and races. This past week there have been ceremonies on an island in the Pacific that was the location of one of the most famous pictures taken during that conflict. It has been the subject of movies, television shows, books, and even was on a postage stamp. The battle I am referring to was fought on the island of Iwo Jima, and part of the legacy of that battle is today’s subject.

Called Return to Iwo, it is the journey of Teddy Draper, a Navajo Codetalker from Canyon de Chelly, Arizona, to the islands of Iwo Jima, Guam, and Hawaii. Early in his life, he was one of the few Native American soldiers who served in the United States Marine Corps utilizing his native Navajo language to become one of the greatest weapons used in World War II. This historical visit brings Mr. Teddy Draper back to Iwo Jima where he was wounded as a soldier.

[Continue reading Return To Iwo]

The Battle of Iwo Jima was fought between the United States and Japan during February and March of 1945, during the Pacific Campaign of World War II. As a result of the battle, the United States gained control of the island of Iwo Jima and the airfields located there. The battle is famous for the raising of the US flag by U.S. Marines during the battle. [Encyclopedia Lockergnome]