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IWO FLAGS HISTORY
One of the most memorable moments of World War II was Joe Rosenthal’s picture of the flag-raising on Iwo
Jima. The picture became history, and the historic moment was memorialized in the United States Marine Corps
War Memorial near Arlington National Cemetery. The War Memorial is one of the few places where, by
Presidential Proclamation, our country’s flag flies 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
In July, 2007, James P. Donovan (USMC, 1964-1968) was visiting the War Memorial. As a former member
of the Ceremonial Guard Company at Marine Barracks 8th & Eye, Jim had been there many times before, as part
of the Sunset Parade. This former enlisted Marine became aware of a situation involving the Memorial’s flag. He
made a series of telephone calls, and e-mails to ensure that the War Memorial was always proudly flying a clean,
crisp, flag. This dedicated former 8th & Eye Marine’s efforts were successful.
In September, 2007, Jim, a small business owner, Michael McGowan, a former Drill Team platoon commander,
and now a successful financial executive in Maryland, and Robert Manchester, a former Drill Team member and
now lawyer and judge in Oklahoma, met with the National Park Service Superintendent for the George
Washington Memorial Parkway, his staff, the new Commanding Officer of Headquarters Battalion, Henderson Hall,
his staff,and a command representative from Marine Barracks Eighth & Eye. The group met to discuss the
flag situation. The NPSwas included since they are charged with the upkeep and maintenance of the War Memorial.
The Corps and NPS embraced the idea and welcomed the organization’s participation.
In November, 2007, The United States Marine Corps War Memorial Flag Detail, Inc. (“Iwo Flags”) was formed,
and dedicated to ensuring that the Marine Corps War Memorial will never be without a proper clean, crisp flag.
Iwo Flags is presently pursuing approval as a 501 (c) (19), non profit organization.
A concerned corporal stepped forward and ensured that one of the Corps’ most important icons would be properly
and permanently commemorated. Iwo Flags was unfurled when, on December 7, 2007, Jim Donovan presented
the first flag to NPS.
Membership in Iwo Flags is open to anyone honorably discharged from the USMC or who has served or is
serving, as a Corpsman, Chaplain or RP Specialist, with the USN, and attached to the Marine Corps,
received an honorable discharge, or anyone presently on active duty with the USMC or an active reserve
component of the Corps, subject to approval by the board of directors.
The purpose and mission of Iwo Flags is to ensure clean, crisp, colors are always found flying proudly over
the Marine Corps War Memorial. We are an volunteer organization. Other than covering basic operational
expenses, the funds collected through membership fees and donations are used to support our program of
supplying the flags forand complimenting the Memorial.
While any donation is appreciated, persons wishing to sponsor a flag and become a Flag Bearer do so by
submitting an application for review by our board of directors. If the application is approved, the sponsor
will beplaced on the rotation schedule. The sponsorship cost is $325.00. Please understand there are only a
limited number of flags flown annually and there will be a waiting period of as much as 18 months before the
sponsoredflag is flown over the Memorial. Flag change-outs are by Marines of Henderson Hall with honors
rendered to each flag and our fallen comrades.
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All inquires should be directed to devildog@iwoflags.org or via mail to:
The USMC War Memorial Flag Detail, PO Box 75, Waynesboro, Virginia 22980-2727
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Mark Time
Due to the tremendous response, Iwo Flags has placed a temporary halt on the acceptance of applications for membership and or the sponsorship of flags to be flown above the
Marine Corps War Memorial at this time.
Please visit us again or for more information please contact us at;
deivldog@iwoflags.org
Thank you, and
Semper Fidelis
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