Unfortunately, tragedies in the United States occur more often than they should, but when they do happen, the United States always perseveres.  Although the American flag gets raised in times of crises as a symbol of strength, the flag also gets raised all across the nation every day.  Schools, hospitals, government buildings, private residences, etc. do this ritual daily, and yet some Americans take it for granted; most people don’t appreciate the sacrifices necessary for the flag to be raised every day. Even in times of true peril, the American flag will always continue to be flown.  The pictures, Raising the Flag at Ground Zero and Raising the Flag on Iwo Jima, showcase two of the hardest times in the United States history, but also depict the resilience of the American spirit through the use of colors, figures, and position of the flag.  

The photograph, Raising the Flag at Ground Zero, was an instantly iconic photograph depicting three first responders at the World Trade Center on September 11, 2001 raising the American flag.  The picture is mainly focused on the American flag and the three men raising it in the foreground, but also shows the total desolation in the backdrop.  Color, in this photograph, is extremely important.  There are two central colors within this picture: the dull gray background and the red white and blue of the American flag.  The backdrop is comprised of the ruins of the World Trade Center where larger pieces of the building create shadows upon itself, allowing for no color except the dull gray and black; bland colors, such as gray and black, often represent depression, death, danger, and evil.  Looking at the background alone, those words perfectly describe what the American people were feeling at the time.  In contrast, the unity of the colors red, white, and blue symbolize freedom, hope, and resilience.  The United State’s National Anthem, “The Star Spangled Banner”, says, “And the rockets' red glare, the bombs bursting in air, / Gave proof through the night that our flag was still there; / O. say does that star-spangled banner yet wave / O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave?”  These lines completely explain the meaning of the flag to its citizens.  Both the foreground and background are opposite in meaning, but this contrast evokes a powerful feeling of hope in the viewer due to the vibrant colors of the American flag.  

The images, Raising the Flag at Ground Zero and Raising the Flag on Iwo Jima, are similar in many ways.  One of the most important similarities between these two photographs is who is portrayed in them.  In both cases, the men raising the flag are men in uniform serving their country.  Not only are they serving their country, as Marines and firemen, they are also serving on the front lines.  The Marines in Raising the Flag on Iwo Jima were Cpl. Ira Hayes, PFC, Franklin Sousley, Sgt. Michael Strank, Cpl. John Bradley, Cpl. Rene Gagnon, and Cpl. Harlon Block.  Three of these soldiers were killed in action within a week of the iconic photograph being taken (Raising the Flag on Iwo Jima).  The fact that half of the men were killed in the proceeding battles shows how dangerous their job really was.  They had just finished fighting back the Japanese to take Mt. Suribachi; they all were exhausted, but when they were ordered to put the flag up, they complied.  This action perfectly encompasses the true resilience of the American spirit.  On the other hand, the firemen depicted in The Raising of the Flag at Ground Zero were Gary Johnson, John McWilliams, and Billy Eisengrein.  All three men are looking up at the flag in an effort to experience the hope that they unknowingly are emitting to the rest of the world.  In both cases, it is the men, and women, who are protecting our country, domestic and abroad, that truly inspire hope in the hearts of all Americans.

In both photographs, the American flag is in the process of being raised, meaning that it has not reached its true potential.  Both pictures are a direct result of the largest attack on American soil up until their respective points in time.  Pearl Harbor, the tragedy that launched the United States into World War II and eventually lead to the attacks on Iwo Jima, and the terrorist attack on September 11, 2001 were both horrible events that plagued the US for several years to come; this trauma is what the position of the flag really means.  The flag might have been knocked over, but that does not mean that it will not be at full mast once again.  Nothing was resolved from the capture of Mt. Suribachi; we did not win the war that day, it took six more months to win, but Raising the Flag on Iwo Jima gave the country hope for a better tomorrow.  We didn’t capture who was responsible for what happened that day after Raising of the Flag at Ground Zero was taken, but almost 10 years later, we finally did.  The flag was no longer on the ground and eventually, we accomplished our goal and triumphed over evil.

In conclusion, both of these photographs are iconic representations of American tragedies.  The colors in The Raising of the Flag at Ground Zero elicit a feeling of hope due to the contrast against the dull background. The figures themselves in both photographs represent the resilience of the American spirit through their determination. The position of the flag also helps to create a feeling of hopefulness in the viewer because they know at some point the flag will be fully raised.  These photographs, especially Raising the Flag on Iwo Jima, are probably the most iconic photographs in American history; both of these photos demonstrate what it means to be an American.  The American spirit is more than being brave, but to be brave for those who are unable.  Whether the enemy is an army or a burning building, those who defend our country are resilient and will fight to keep us safe and allow the American flag to fly.
