The
United States Marine Memorial, commonly referred to as "the Iwo
Jima Memorial," depicts one of the most famous incidents of World
War II.
Located on Marshall Drive, between Route 50 and Arlington National
Cemetery, in Arlington, VA. Six blocks from Rosslyn Metro station.
Open daily, 24 hours. No admission. The memorial is dedicated to
all Marines who have given their lives in defense of the United
States since 1775. It was officially dedicated by President Dwight
D. Eisenhower on November 11, 1954, the 179th anniversary of the
U.S. Marine Corps. This largest cast-bronze statue in the world
features 32-foot-tall figures erecting a 60-foot-tall bronze
flagpole.
The cloth flag flies
24 hours a day in accordance with a Presidential proclamation of
June 12, 1961. The sculpture was designed by sculptor Felix W. de
Weldon, then on duty with the U.S. Navy, from the Pulitzer
prize-winning photo by news photographer Joe Rosenthal. The M-1
rifle and carbine carried by two of the figures are 16 and 12 feet
long, respectively.
The Marine Corps
presents the Marine Sunset Review Parade featuring the Drum and
Bugle Corp and the Silent Drill Team on Tuesdays from 7:00 p.m. to
8:30 p.m., May through August. It is free to the public.