YOUNG HARRIS – The community gathered Monday morning, Feb. 16, at the Towns County Recreation Center to honor the legacy of one of the most significant battles in American military history during the annual Iwo Jima Memorial Ceremony.
Hosting the event was the Marine Corps League Unicoi Detachment 783 of Towns and Union counties, bringing together veterans, local leaders, and residents to reflect on the courage and sacrifice of those who fought in World War II’s Battle of Iwo Jima.
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John Entwisle, a U.S. Marine Corps veteran, served as master of ceremonies, with opening and closing prayers delivered by Richard Hoibraten. Also in attendance were Sole Commissioner Cliff Bradshaw and Hiawassee Police Chief Paul Smith, who joined in paying tribute to the fallen.
The Battle of Iwo Jima began on Feb. 19, 1945, when U.S. Marines launched a massive amphibious landing against heavily fortified Japanese defenses hidden within tunnels and bunkers.
The battle quickly became one of the fiercest and most costly engagements of the Pacific Theater. Intense fighting unfolded across rugged terrain, including strategic locations such as airfields and ridgelines, and culminated with the iconic flag-raising atop Mount Suribachi on Feb. 23, 1945 – a moment captured in a photograph by Joe Rosenthal that remains one of the most recognizable images in American history.
By the time the island was secured in late March, more than 26,000 American service members had been killed or wounded. Nearly all of the approximately 20,000 Japanese defenders lost their lives. The victory, while costly, provided a critical strategic airbase for U.S. forces and symbolized the determination and resolve of American troops.
Keynote speaker Brandy Creel, Technical Sergeant, U.S. Air Force (Retired), focused her address on the often-overlooked contributions of women in America’s military history. Creel traced women’s service from the American Revolution through modern conflicts, emphasizing that their roles have evolved alongside the nation’s needs.
“Joan of Arc, Betsy Ross, Rosie the Riveter, Mata Hari, and others in uniform and out, have all had a part in building our country’s history,” Creel said. “Women have served in all of America’s major conflicts.”
She noted that during World War I, more than 35,000 women were recruited into the armed services, primarily in nursing and support roles, marking the first time women served overseas. That number grew significantly during World War II and the Korean War, when approximately 350,000 women served their country.
Creel also highlighted modern milestones, including the first all-female Marine Corps mission in Afghanistan in 2009 and the achievement of women earning Army Ranger status in 2015. Today, more than 200,000 women serve in the U.S. military, with roughly 20% identified as combat veterans.
“Today and every day, we must take the opportunity to support the memories, sacrifices, and achievements of our nation’s veterans,” Creel said. “We must educate future generations about the importance of their service and what it means to our history.”
Following the ceremony, attendees were invited to remain for coffee, cake and fellowship. Conversations continued as veterans and community members shared stories, laughter and gratitude – a fitting conclusion to a morning dedicated to remembrance, service and unity.
