Rare Historical Sound Recording of U.S. Marine Corps Band at the Iwo Jima Monument Unveiling Ceremony November 10,1945.

"On the occasion of the Marine Corps' 170th Birthday, November 10, 1945, the Original Iwo Jima Monument was first unveiled in a very moving ceremony in Washington, DC to inaugurate the 7th and last War Bond Drive during World War II.

The ceremony was recorded by a local radio station (see photo of equipment recording the ceremony). Some 15 years ago Rodney Hilton Brown purchased this original recording which was made on 2 dirty, moldy, giant 16" diameter "transcription platters." Much too large to be played even on the author's WWII USMC Field Phonograph, it took years to find experts who could conserve the records & transcribe them properly.

In 2008, for the first time since 1945 it was possible to step back in time a half-century and hear what may be the only voice recordings existent of these important historical figures. Some of the speeches are extremely moving and the ceremony proceeded as follows:
1 - US MARINE CORPS BAND playing "SEMPER FIDELIS" (one of the USMC Band's earliest known recordings).
2 - USMC GENERAL ALEXANDER A. VANDEGRIFT, the 18th Commandant of
The Corps, 1st to receive 4 stars in wartime/active duty, Recipient - Congressional Medal of Honor, talks about the war, the battles and the heroes.
3 - JOHN H. BRADLEY - IWO JIMA FLAG RAISER, and survivor, talks about visiting the wounded in hospitals.
4 - FELIX DE WELDON - Sculptor of the Iwo Jima Monuments, gave the Artist's Dedication.
5 - USMC GENERAL GRAVES B. ERSKINE, Commander of the 3rd Marine Division on IWO JIMA, talks about the war, the battles and the heroes." © 2009 - Rodney Hilton Brown The War Museum

"I tried to create something more than a statue - a symbol of unison of action and determination, the will to sacrifice, and the dedication to maintain peace and freedom, and to hold our flag high. This flag which we honor and under which we serve, is the emblem of our unity, our power, our thoughts and our purpose as a nation. It has no other character than that which we give it from generation to generation. The choice is ours. It floats in majestic silence above the multitude which executes this choice, whether in peace or in war. And yet though silent, it speaks to us of the past, of the men and women who went before us and the record they wrote upon it. It has witnessed a great history and as it floats on high, it symbolizes an event which made this country great and the freedom for which our people have fought. It symbolizes a time on the field of battle when uncommon valor was a Common virtue." Felix De Weldon November 10,1945

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