[Old Student]

There weren't many battles in Europe like Iwo Jima. I guess I was luckier than the kids who knew this coach; my dad's friend Earl was also at Iwo, and he told me more than a few stories about the place, and the battle. As much, if not more, than anything or anyone else, he's why I enlisted in the Air Force. (We both knew I wouldn't make a Marine, but I'm a good repairman.)

[Belasarius]

Hershel (Woody) Williams USMC (MOH) is from my hometown of Fairmont, WV. He was the sole survivor of his 18 man flamethrower squad on Iwo Jima. I have met him on a two occassions.

I have also seen him interviewed on TV about his experiences on Iwo. It is hard to grasp what they went through. At some point in the last couple of years I can't read or hear these things without crying. I don't know how that happened but I can't do it anymore without the tears running down my face.