Dear Grit,
Years ago I read James Bradley’s book Flags of Our Fathers, I was inspired to write the following poem. I sent a copy to Mr. Bradley and also one to Clint Eastwood after he released his movie of the same name. Now I send you a copy to place in your files. I was, and am still, proud of my service in the Marine Corps. I was a radio operator and while in Vietnam I was attached to the 3rd Company, 1st Batallion, 2nd ROK Marine Brigade in Binh- Son and then moved up to Hoi-An right before the Tet Offensive. I am also extremely proud of this poem. Use it as you will.
Very Sincerely,
Robert L. Cowan
They Raised The Flag
by Robert Cowan
Ira Hayes, an Indian Pima, scaled the side of Iwo Jima
with five friends, climbed the rocky crag…went to the top to plant the flag.
February 23rd during World War II these six men had a job to do,
raise the flag and raise it well, but first they had to go through hell.
A Navy corpsman and five Marines became one of our nation’s historic scenes.
They made their way to the mountain top, through bombs and bullets, they would not stop.
They attached the flag to a pole they’d found and prepared to thrust it into the ground
Six brave men working as one…the flag was up, the job was done.
Raising the flag had been completed…but the enemy was not yet defeated.
Another month would go by and three of the flag raiser sadly would die.
Mike Strank, Franklin Sousley and Harlon Block too..died on the island to the Corps they were true.
Rene Gagnon, Ira Hayes and the corpsman Jack Bradley…survived the battle but were battered badly.
Six men among many who answered the call…three did survive and three did fall,
although weep because they died…let their deeds fill our hearts with pride.
By Robert Cowan USMC 1966-70
Poem completed December 10, 2003`