
There are a lot of photographs and images out there that depict America and what it means to be an American and be patriotic about your country. Some of these images are of great moments and great accomplishments within our countries history, while others are of tragedies and hardships that we came together and mourned over that only made us stronger and brought us closer together. There is one photo that stands above the rest when it comes to representing our country and being sort of a symbol to America and what it means to come together and being patriotic and proud of your country. The specific photo I’m referring to was taken on February 23, 1945 on top of Mount Suribachi the highest peak on the island of Iwo Jima (History.com). That famous picture of the six marines holding up and mounting the flag after winning one of the bloodiest battles between the United States and Japan, not only was one of the most famous images from that war but has been and still is one of the most used images to represent America and show what we are about. The image is portrayed in a way that allows viewers to see the Americans standing “on top of the world” in a sense and how proud we were of our country and still are every time we see that image. Most importantly it shows what true patriotism is and not only what it means to be an American but what America is all about. We have showed throughout history that when the going gets tough the tough get going and that we will persevere through even through the toughest of battles. This photo does a great job at depicting us as a nation and shows how proud of a country we can be through our greatest triumphs and tragedies. 

One of the great things photographer Joe Rosenthal did was take a close up image of the flag being raised. This was a very big element in showing what the intended message was as it places emphasis on the pride we are showing off for our country. The battle of Iwo Jima was a bloody one and a very destructive one at that, so if the picture was taken from a long or even medium range this could cause distraction to the viewer’s eye and maybe even change the reader’s whole perception of what the intended message of the photograph is. With a longer range shot people would start paying more attention to the sky, the water, the destruction, the battle field, all these things that would not only take the reader’s attention from the flag being raised but possibly skew the idea of what the photograph meant and was trying to depict. The image having a close up shot not only focuses the reader’s attention on the one thing but takes away any distracting elements and allows for a clear focal point. The photo sends a clear message of the soldiers coming together through this terrible fight and raising the flag to show that no matter how hard you come at us we will fight as hard as we can and at the end of the day we will unite together and be proud of what we have done. The close up gives you and even better feel of the bond between the soldiers and it is why it is one of the best representing images of patriotism in America.

The flag raising at Iwo Jima does not need words or explaining for people to feel emotional about what the picture is representing. The photo sets a mood that is quickly realized and stronger than most images of any kind can set. You don’t even need to know a lot of what the photo is about and what was going on to feel emotions about this picture as the representation is that strong. The American flag alone is enough to make people feel some emotion but add the elements of the soldiers working together to pull up the flag, with the tarnished surface beneath them is enough that you can have zero prior knowledge of the image or not even be American and still have a strong opinion of this image. This image can set a lot of moods for people some ranging from sadness, anger, sorrowful, hope, and even joy, but there is no mood better represented by this image then pride. Any American who views this image even without prior knowledge can’t go without feeling some sense of pride. Just the sight of six soldiers raising the American flag is enough to make even the most crooked Americans feel a sense of pride and joy in their country. This sense of pride and passion you feel in your country after seeing this image is why it is one of the most patriotic and best representations of America. America is built on strength, courage, bravery, and triumph and that is everything this photograph represents. There is no better sense of patriotism than having pride and passion in one’s country. The elements of this photo depict six strong, brave, and courageous soldiers that come together to show the pride they feel in their country after what they have been through and give the reader a strong emotional feel for this photograph. 

The battle of Iwo Jima is a battle that will never be forgotten as it was not only one of the bloodiest (6,000 Americans died, History.com) but one of the biggest turning points in the war. After the taking of Iwo Jima, it really locked the United States plans in place and helped lead them on to a victory over the Japanese. This is what makes this image that much of greater importance as its not only there to remind us of those that have died so we could live free but so we can feel pride and honor knowing that we beat a resilient Japanese military and that this very battle helped us win over Japan. It showed that combination of pride in one’s country for victory but also the mourning and sadness for our country of those that didn’t make it. This image is commonly used around the country to represent our history and is shown to not only depict us when we are at our finest but show us when we are in time of grief and sadness. There is even a statue of it called the Iwo Jima memorial in Washington D.C that was dedicated on November 10, 1954 by Dwight D. Eisenhower (Washington.org). This is what makes the photo one of the most patriotic and iconic images in our nation’s history. It is one that is of wide recognition and can be used to make people feel many different ways but always ends up with people feeling a sense of pride of what we have been through. 

 The way this image was taken, the emotion it gives, and the history and significance behind it were all major elements as to why this image is one of the best representations of America and patriotism for our country. The coming together and that never back down attitude is what our country was built on. There is no greater sense of pride and joy then not only defending your own country but successfully doing it to. These soldiers stand for what America is about and not only can they feel no greater pride in their country for what they have done, but others also must feel prideful and patriotic just by looking at them. This was one of the biggest battles won in our nation’s history and the way it makes people feel, the way it was taken, and what it represents not only makes it one of the best patriotic images but one of the best symbols and representations of what America is all about.    
