Iwo Jima: A time to Reflect

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Matthew Gilmore
  • 374th Airlift Wing
YOKOTA AIR BASE, Japan --  A long, now partially paved five-mile path leads the way through dense green brush, the destination, Mount Suribachi. The road is long and winding at times, with the occasional shrine and memorial nestled into the land offering travelers a chance to reflect on the history that has occurred here. As the peak nears, glimpses of the surrounding beaches peer through the branches, the ocean breeze slowly creeping through the trees, once at the summit, visitors are greeted by two memorials and an understanding of what transpired there more than 70 years ago.

The Marine memorial and the memorial for the Japanese who fought in the battle of Iwo Jima are the only two things atop this mountain. For those lucky enough to make the trek to the top, this road is so much more than a hike, it is a journey, a pilgrimage, and a lesson in the power of perseverance.

For the Airmen of the 374th Airlift Wing to make the trip to Iwo To, Japan on Jan. 24, 2018, the road they travelled and the peak they summited offered them a small taste of what life would have been like during the battle of Iwo Jima.

“It’s an austere environment,” said Capt. Allison Stephens, 374th Medical Support Squadron, Diagnostic and Therapeutics Flight pharmacist. “I couldn’t even imagine what those Marines went through during the battle of Iwo Jima. To fight a war in this environment with how thick the brush was, the incline of the terrain and the harsh weather conditions, it would have taken so much resiliency and courage to achieve what they did.”

The U.S. flag being raised on Mt. Suribachi was their achievement, the legacy left by the Marines who fought in the battle of Iwo Jima continues on as it inspires not only Marines but people to fight on and persevere.

“Being at the top of Mt. Suribachi was just such a powerful moment for me,” said Stephens. “Seeing the memorials and the dog tags atop that mountain just really resonated with me. It was a reminder of how powerful the human spirit is, a reminder I will always remember.”

While the visit was a somber one, some visitors were able to find a more positive light in what transpired here years ago.

“For me, it is always really important to look at what other people have done to help inspire myself,” said Airman 1st Class Sarah Wolfe, 374th Aerospace Medicine Squadron Optometry Technician. “What was achieved on that mountain was greatness, a huge moment in history. Seeing that monument for the life that was lost there also reminded me that these were people who accomplished that feat, people that survived a brutal battle and against the odds, did something special. Seeing that gave me confidence in myself to get my job done.”

As the memorials brought moments of reflection, the island itself may have provided Airmen the biggest lesson in resiliency.

“I was shocked by how beautiful everything looked,” said Wolfe. “Everything was just green as far as the eye could see. Reminiscing on the stories I had heard about Iwo Jima, I almost expected everything to be dark and destroyed.

“Just as humans go through tough times, they survive. They push on and find a way to live on. The island of Iwo To has done the same thing over the years.”