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As clock ticks, WWII veterans need help to get back to Iwo Jima
Stars and Stripes ^ | 2 Mar 10 | Charlie Reed

Posted on 03/02/2010 11:33:44 AM PST by GATOR NAVY

YOKOTA AIR BASE, Japan – The military has denied a request from a World War II veterans group for transportation to Iwo Jima this week to commemorate the historic battle that took place there 65 years ago.

The Greatest Generation Foundation asked the military for help after a charter plane company that had volunteered to take the group from Okinawa to the battlefield canceled unexpectedly two weeks ago. But Pentagon officials denied the request because it could set a problematic precedent for other nongovernmental agencies that ask for similar assistance, U.S. Pacific Command spokesman Marine Maj. Bradley Gordon said Tuesday from Hawaii.

PACOM officials in Hawaii and Japan on Monday had been trying to arrange a military flight for the group in the event leaders in Washington approved the request, Gordon said.

Before the decision was made, the Denver-based nonprofit brought 12 aging veterans who fought at Iwo Jima from the United States to Japan over the weekend as planned, hoping the military would be able to provide transportation.

“[The veterans] are very emotional. They know the dream of going back to Iwo Jima is not going to take shape,” said Timothy Davis, president of the foundation, which has sponsored battlefield trips for veterans since 2004.

“We’re going to fight this,” Davis said. “I have to do what I can to get these boys back to Iwo Jima.”

The group of 85- to 97-year-old former Marines — along with 12 students who were to document their return to Iwo Jima, and several journalists — arrived on Okinawa on a commercial flight late Saturday. They are staying on Marine Corps Air Station Futenma and are scheduled to return to the United States on March 9.

One veteran was hospitalized with stroke-like symptoms after arriving on Okinawa but was released Sunday, and another suffering from an infection was admitted to the hospital Tuesday, Davis said.

“Reality is kicking in. Come the 70th anniversary [of Iwo Jima] most of them are going to be dead,” he said. “If we allow these veterans to go to their graves with these stories then shame on us.”

Military officials recommended the group arrange the flight from Okinawa to Iwo Jima with another company. But Davis said the foundation could not afford the $50,000 it would cost after already having spent the $150,000 to get the group to Japan.

The government of Japan must approve all flights — commercial or military — to Iwo Jima, now officially known by its original name Iwo To.

Gen. James T. Conway, commandant of the Marine Corps, was expected to be the keynote speaker at a ceremony Wednesday on Iwo Jima to commemorate the 65th anniversary of the 36-day battle there in which 6,900 Marines and 20,000 Japanese were killed.


TOPICS: Foreign Affairs; Japan; Miscellaneous; News/Current Events
KEYWORDS: iwojima; vets
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But Pentagon officials denied the request because it could set a problematic precedent for other nongovernmental agencies that ask for similar assistance...

I can sort of understand this reasoning, but this still sucks. Maybe the Commandant can bring these guys along as his personal guests.

1 posted on 03/02/2010 11:33:44 AM PST by GATOR NAVY
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Previous Stars and Stripes story: Travel snag threatens Iwo Jima veterans' visit
2 posted on 03/02/2010 11:37:00 AM PST by GATOR NAVY ("The bigger the government, the smaller the citizen." -Dennis Prager)
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To: GATOR NAVY

Why not have Pelosi fly over there and take them as her guests on the USAF jet she has demanded for her personal use?


3 posted on 03/02/2010 11:37:53 AM PST by GreyFriar (Spearhead - 3rd Armored Division 75-78 & 83-87)
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To: GATOR NAVY
If Planned Barrenhood can get billions of my $$$ then these Marines should get a few thousand (or more if necessary).Is there any way that Congresscritters can be contacted or private money can be contributed?
4 posted on 03/02/2010 11:39:17 AM PST by Gay State Conservative (Host The Beer Summit-->Win The Nobel Peace Prize!)
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To: GATOR NAVY

My Grandfather was a WW2 vet and Army Colonel. He did this to see the WW2 memorial in DC shortly before his death. He said it was one of the best trips he has ever made.

They flew him out, put him in a hotel, and shuttled him around to see the sites.

Thank you if you donate to this great cause.


5 posted on 03/02/2010 11:39:32 AM PST by Pavegunner72
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To: GATOR NAVY

If I had the money, I’d fly every last one of them first class to Iwo......but alas I don’t but I wish I did then I could tell this feral gooberment to BITE ME! There’s nothing that SHOULDN’T be done for these wonderful men! I’m so mad I gonna start cryin’!


6 posted on 03/02/2010 11:39:44 AM PST by Dawgreg (Happiness is not having what you want, but wanting what you have.)
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To: GATOR NAVY

If they can chauffeur Pelosi and her entourage to Copenhagen for Global Warming parties they can do something constructive too.


7 posted on 03/02/2010 11:40:39 AM PST by Blind Eye Jones
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To: GreyFriar

Yeah! Just look at what that skank takes daily from the taxpayers.....just damn!


8 posted on 03/02/2010 11:41:13 AM PST by Dawgreg (Happiness is not having what you want, but wanting what you have.)
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To: GATOR NAVY

I bet a lot of people would contribute to the needed $50,000. Count me in and I’ll pass it around to get more.

Please ping me if you know of any fundraising efforts to get the vets there!


9 posted on 03/02/2010 11:43:02 AM PST by freeagle
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To: GATOR NAVY

How about some PRESIDENTIAL INTERVENTION here, Obama???? Show you got a pair and get these Jarheads to IWO!!!!!

Show us you ARE an American, Obama....


10 posted on 03/02/2010 11:44:17 AM PST by Boonie
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To: GATOR NAVY; SkyPilot; Nachum; Free ThinkerNY; unkus; jesseam; flat; Howie66; SoldierDad; ...

Her Royal Highness Pelosi can send these awesome American patriots to Iwo Jima on her jet (instead of her sleaze family) paid for by the US taxpayers. This is a cause far more worthy than her.


11 posted on 03/02/2010 11:44:34 AM PST by ExTexasRedhead (Clean the RAT/RINO Sewer in 2010 and 2012)
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To: ExTexasRedhead

Pelosi don’t have time for the “little” people............


12 posted on 03/02/2010 11:46:12 AM PST by Boonie
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To: Boonie

Oh, but she cares about your health care NOT!!! She prays at the alter of power and greed.


13 posted on 03/02/2010 11:48:26 AM PST by ExTexasRedhead (Clean the RAT/RINO Sewer in 2010 and 2012)
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To: ExTexasRedhead

Yep...That’s ALL that means anything to her, reid, that idiot in the WH...All those “progressives”....


14 posted on 03/02/2010 11:49:44 AM PST by Boonie
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To: GATOR NAVY

Well dang, If we just fought that battle in Copenhagen, instead or watched 18,000 fellow solders die in Norway they could have hitched a ride with the Global Warming Summit or Nobel Prize entourages.

We didn’t see to have a problem getting to THOSE “historic” events with unprecedented fan fair and accommodations.

What a disgrace and insult to those brave patriots.


15 posted on 03/02/2010 11:50:17 AM PST by CrappieLuck
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To: ExTexasRedhead

BTW, Great tagline.....


16 posted on 03/02/2010 11:50:30 AM PST by Boonie
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To: GATOR NAVY

They had to fight like hell to take Suribachi. Here we are 65 years later and they have to fight to make it there again. I hope there is a fund started so we can give them the support they deserve to be victorious again!


17 posted on 03/02/2010 11:53:50 AM PST by JD91
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To: GATOR NAVY

We should not be footing the bill for this trip.


18 posted on 03/02/2010 11:55:26 AM PST by stockpirate (Hey Beck, Thomas Jefferson was a birther!)
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To: GATOR NAVY

Maybe the slut Pelosi can give up a few seats.


19 posted on 03/02/2010 11:58:03 AM PST by animal172 (Can a girl with a mole on her face be happy married to a gopher?)
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To: stockpirate

Who should?


20 posted on 03/02/2010 12:03:54 PM PST by lakeman (,)
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