ARLINGTON, Va. — The famous bronze U.S. Marine Corps War Memorial overlooking Washington that depicts Marines raising the American flag at Iwo Jima during World War II has begun turning green with age but now will be restored with a $5.37 million gift.
Philanthropist David Rubenstein announced Wednesday that he will give the National Park Foundation the funds needed to wash, wax and restore the memorial and its plaza and landscaping. Improvements are also planned for the memorial's signage and access for handicapped visitors. The project will also restore the memorial's engravings to be much brighter.
The 61-year-old memorial honors all who have given their lives in the U.S. Marine Corps. It depicts a famous incident of World War II after a bloody battle when the Americans moved to capture the island of Iwo Jima to help bring the war to an end. The monument's depiction was inspired by a Pulitzer Prize-winning photograph by Associated Press photographer Joe Rosenthal.
This new restoration effort will be the first comprehensive refurbishment of the memorial since it was dedicated by President Dwight D. Eisenhower in 1954, though it has had routine maintenance over the years, said National Park Service Director Jonathan Jarvis.
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Um, I can polish brass for 45.37 million, and pull weeds while I'm at it!
ReplyDeleteDon't forget that one of the flag raisers at Iwo Jima was a Navy corpsman attached to the Marines.
ReplyDelete