One of the most infamous pictures from World War Two is that of the soldiers raising the American flag at the summit of the island of Iwo Jima in the South Pacific. The island had been a Japanese military base with the strategic advantage that if taken would allow the Americans an air field and a way to attack the Japanese mainland by air. For five days the Americas clawed their way up the mountain taking sever casualties but none the less made it to the top and staked claim to the island. The infamous picture that was taken that day by Joe Rosenthal on February 23 1945, symbolized the struggles that not only those soldiers went through to take the island but also reminds Americans every day why they should be proud to be an American.

Obviously being that it was 1945 there were no color cameras so the picture is in black and white. This gives the image a darker feel not just literally but theoretically as well. Just minutes before the picture was taken there was a massive fire fight going on with men being shot and bombs going off and the black and white imagery kind of reminds the viewer of how desolate a place this was. There was no happiness on the island of Iwo Jima for those men, if the image was colorful it would almost add a sense of that but obviously it was not there. They had just fought for five sleepless nights and watched friends die, happiness was not in their vocabulary at that point. To add to the desolate feeling that the image resonates, one can see that on the ground around where the flag is being raised there seems to be a lot of debris possibly form bombs exploding. Splintered trees and shell casing liter the ground once again reminding the viewer that just moments before this triumphant raising of the flag there was in fact a major battle taking place right on those very grounds.

The six men in the image seen lifting the flag are clearly struggling to lift it upright. Whether or not that is because the flag pole is just very heavy or they are just extremely tired no one knows. However, one thing is for sure and that is just like these men took over this island together and as a team, they lifted that flag pole together which symbolizes unity. Few things can destroy a unit with the same mindset and these men all knew that they had an objective which was to take the island of Iwo Jima and they did just that. Little did they know they know that this picture of them would have monuments erected throughout the country and would forever be a symbol of Americas ability to fight back and not be bullied by foreign terrorists. Another aspect of this image that the viewer can notice is that the flag seems to be pristine as if brand new. Most likely it was as it is a sign of respect of have a well taken care of flag flying and not one that is ripped and tattered. Despite the setting of the photo being so bleak and the men wearing their dirty run down combat uniforms the American flag still fly’s in total perfection with not a rip in sight. The flag symbolizes the spirit of the America and sends the message that it may not be pretty but we will get the job done and ultimately that flag will fly not matter what.

This image may be plain and only have a few things to actually look at however with some context a viewer can see so much more that it actually portrays. About four years earlier on December 7, 1941 the Japanese had bombed Pearl Harbor and it was the worst attack on American soil in the country’s history. Finally, after the battle of Iwo Jima the Americans’ had gotten back on the offensive and were able to take the fight to the Japanese. This win on this island was huge for the outcome of the rest of the war and the effort that was put in by the brave marines on those beaches can be recognized in this photo. That is what makes this photo so powerful is that it is real life. Of course one can feel strong emotions from a painting or other works of art but essentially those are figments of one man or woman imagination. This however is a real life action shot on a battlefield where hundreds if not thousands of lives were lost. As an American and as a human being it is hard not to feel the powerful emotions that come with a glance at this image.

This image is one that, depending on the viewer, can bring out extreme feelings of sadness and pride. Though many viewing it today will have little connection to it if any, all who share the pride in being an American will feel something form this image. Nothing is more real than a battle and for many of us we will never know what it is like to be in one but luckily there are photos like this one that remind us that we don’t want to know what it is like, while at the same time giving us the pride of victory.  
