(Sound of cicadas in background…) The U.S. Marine Corps War Memorial, commonly known as the Iwo Jima Memorial, means many things to many people…

Perhaps freedom, war, duty, heroism, or sacrifice? What does it mean to you? Perhaps freedom, war, duty, heroism, or sacrifice?

“Hello. I am Larry Ward. As a U. S “Hello. I am Larry Ward. As a U.S. Marine Corps veteran and a National Park Service volunteer, this is a special place to me. The U.S. Marine Corps War Memorial is a moment of history and heroism forever frozen in time.”

(This photo will be replaced with a uniformed Marine in front of the memorial.) “While the statue depicts a single scene from WWII, the memorial symbolizes and pays homage to all Marines who have sacrificed themselves for the cause of freedom since 1775.”

Does the memorial represent honor, loyalty, integrity, or bravery? Many people visit the memorial to ponder this question…

Today, Marines occasionally stop at the memorial before deployment Today, Marines occasionally stop at the memorial before deployment. Others visit the memorial with their families for medal ceremonies immediately or long after their return from war, including this Medal of Honor group who came in 2006.

Marines and other veterans of many wars come here to remember. Why Marines and other veterans of many wars come here to remember. Why? The memorial is not only dedicated to Marine dead, but also to their comrades of other services who fell fighting beside them.

In addition, of the six men depicted on the statue, five were Marines In addition, of the six men depicted on the statue, five were Marines. One man, however, was a Navy Corpsman or field medic. These men worked together to raise the second flag on Mount Suribachi during the Battle of Iwo Jima in World War II.

What do you think the memorial means to Marines? What does the memorial mean to you? Do you think of character, communication, goal-setting, problem-solving, respect or teamwork?

(NOTE: This image will be replaced by tour bus-related images.) Many visitors arrive at the memorial on tour buses. They come from across the United States and all over the world. For many, this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to see the memorial.

Is this a great photo opportunity, a sacred place of remembrance, a place to contemplate the loss of a family member or friend, or an opportunity to celebrate the sacrifices made for the freedom of the United States?

Students learn about history and leadership at the memorial.

Families, friends, and individuals come to explore and learn while on vacation. Tom Miller, a Marine veteran who served at the Battle of Iwo Jima, speaks occasionally to special groups about the memorial’s history.

Park rangers teach the public about the memorial, too.

In the summertime, thousands of people gather each week for the popular Sunset Parades…

Over 30,000 people a year participate in the Marine Corps Marathon or “The People’s Marathon” each October. The event course ends at the memorial.

And many people gather to commemorate the U. S And many people gather to commemorate the U.S. Marine Corps Birthday each year on November 10.

Through these celebrations, the memorial is as much a living expression of the present and future culture of the Marine Corps as it is a representation of its past.

The U.S. Marine Corps War Memorial is part of a national park, the George Washington Memorial Parkway…a place that belongs to all Americans.

What does the memorial mean to you? Freedom, war, duty, heroism, sacrifice, honor, loyalty, integrity, bravery, character, communication, goal-setting, problem-solving, respect, teamwork, remembrance, loss, a great photo opportunity, or something else entirely?

Visit the U.S. Marine Corps War Memorial and discover what it means to you!