On February 23, pause and take a moment to remember that, on this day, in 1945, The United States Marines raised the American Flag on Mt. Suribachi on the island of Iwo Jima. Five Marines, and a Navy Corpsman raised a flag "big enough for the entire fleet to see." They were: Harlan Block, John Bradley (USN), Franklin Sousley, Ira Hayes (the 4 in front), and Rene Gagnon, and Michael Strank. Michael Strank was born in Czechoslovakia, and immigrated with his family to America. Only Ira Hayes, "Doc" Bradley, and Rene Gagnon would live to leave the island. Block, Strank and Sousley were killed shortly after the flag-raising. 250 Marines walked up the hill, 27 lived to walk down. In capturing Iwo, 22,000 lives of B-29 bomber crews were saved by the end of the war. Modelling is a wonderful way to learn and pass on history to another generation. Remember the men who flew the planes, sailed the ships, drove the tanks, and pulled the trigger. We are the land of the free because of the brave. "Uncommon Valor Was A Common Virtue."

Thank you, Matt

i couldn't agree more. Ant