My name is Mel (Blackie) Meszaros and I have the distinction of being the oldest Marine to raise the American flag atop Mt. Suribachi on the island of Iwo Jima. No, not on March 23, 1945, which was the first time, but on March 23, 2005. Please let me try to explain the sequence of events. Serving in the Marine Corps from Jan. 29, 1960 to Jan. 29, 1964, I was discharged with the rank of Lance Corporal. Entering the civilian world, I became involved with the John Basilone Det. of the New Jersey Marine Corps League, to which I became and still am Honor Capt. Since boot camp, where I first saw the famous statue of the flag raising, I always had the obsession of wanting to walk on the black sands of Iwo Jima and climb Mt Suribachi. The opportunity became a reality when I learned Military Tours was running a special tour in March 2005 to commemorate the 60th anniversary of the "Battle of Iwo Jima". For $5,000 I signed up for the tour. I, along with 500 people, including Medal of Honor recipients, celebrities, dignitaries and Young Marines, spent 3 days on the island of Guam and 12 hours on Iwo Jima. While on the tour, I became close friends with Medal of Honor recipient Jack Lucas and celebrity Lee Ermey, both of whom gave me their challenge coins. Walking on the black sand is something I shall remember and treasure for the rest of my life. Since black sand is the only souvenir the Japanese allow to be taken off the island, I filled 2 qt jars of the sacred black sand. A quick side note: I have made over 200 pictures of the famous flag raising with sacred black sand glued to the bottom of each picture. Now the part where I helped raise the American flag atop Mt. Suribachi. I, along with Jack Lucas and the Young Marines, was standing next to the monument depicting the spot where the famous flag raising took place. A few feet away was a 25 ft flag pole flying the American flag and because the hoisting rope was dry rotted, it broke and the American flag fell to the ground. Mike Kessler, who was in charge of the Young Marines, quickly organized a group to lift the 25 ft pole out of it's sleeve in the ground. After laying the pole on the ground and getting some new rope to replace the rotted rope, the American flag was now ready to be flown again. The group, consisting of 10 Young Marines, Mike and myself, proceeded to place the base of the pole into the sleeve and raise the pole and American flag upright. I was 65 years old. This flag raising was captured on photo like the first flag raising. The photo was taken by the editor Lee Webber of the Pacific Daily News. I am enclosing the picture and the article to show proof of my claim to be the oldest Marine to raise Old Glory atop Mt. Suribachi. In the picture, I am the one with the black motorcycle jacket with the EGA emblem on the back. Another side note: my challenge coin depicts this moment in time of which I was a part of which I will never forget. Enclosed is my challenge coin.
M. Meszaros
Trip to Iwo Jima
