MSN Search
From the TIB Network:
Another search brought someone to us that I found interesting..."How was Iwo Jima important to today's American Dream"
Matt's Chat
I see this as two questions, actually. One: what is the American Dream (has it changed from yesteryear?)? And then the question that this reader asks.I want to give this one some thought because it really is a good question... Mark, any thoughts?
Mark's Remarks
The American Dream is the pursuit of freedom and happiness, that we can live in a world that is safe and fair and attempt to do what we hope to do. It is also about freedom.
Iwo Jima was important to the Dream for a few reasons. Part of the dream is making the world safe. We were involved in a war at the time with Japan. Even though Iwo was a small island, it was very important to the Japanese, especially the high part of Mt. Suribachi. It provided a great firing line to take ships and men out.
Iwo characterizes the American Dream because you had Americans, fighting against an overwhelming Japanese force, practically straight up a mountain; willing to die for feet or inches of ground. You see, America offers you the chance: you have to make it happen. Sometimes the odds are against you, and you have to fight straight up, and sometimes you have to pick the ground to "die on." However, it is worth it for the struggle for freedom and opportunity.
Iwo was a bloody battle which culminated in the Marines waving that flag on Mt. Suribachi. That picture illustrates what we are about. We will fight, we will claw, we will struggle for freedom and liberty, and we will be victorious; however, we can only be victorious if we bear the cost. Iwo was bloody, but the armed forces saw it as key in the plan to defeat the Japanese; and the soldiers and the people believed the US military and government. Are we willing to do the same today? I wonder.
