The Hand of God

65 (sixty-five) years ago today Charles W. Lindberg, Ernest I. Thomas Jr., Henry O. Hansen, Gene Marshal and James Michels raised the American Flag on the little Island of Iwo Jima.  Colonel Chandler Johnson recognized that the flag was to small and ordered another flag be raised.  The photographs taken that day have become famous and the statue even more famous.

I was excited today when am retired marine told me that the sculpture had placed a 13th hand on the flag pole which he claimed was the "hand of God".  Unfortunately, this was only a rumor and upon my further investigation, I found it to be inaccurate.  In fact, Felix de Weldon, when asked about a 13th hand, said "Thirteen hands.  Who needs thirteen hands?  Twelve were enough".

However, I am certain that there were 13 hands that day during the first and second flag raising, and that it was the hand of God.  These men could have done nothing without the hand of God and if de Weldon would have put a 13th hand it would have been awesome!

This post is (as written at the base of the memorial):

• "In honor and memory of the men of the United States Marine Corps who have given their lives to their country since 10 November 1775."
• "Uncommon Valor Was a Common Virtue."

Photo From: Wikipedia.
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