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. Hemade 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 andnow 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 NPS was 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.
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 N.P.S.. Since Dec. 7, 2007, Iwo Flags has ensured the monthly rotation of a new flag above the War Memorial.
In April 2008, the National Park Service opened discussions with Jim, regarding the condition of the War
Memorial and Arlington Ridge Park. In May 2009 these issues were presented to the Board of Directors
of Iwo Flags, and on May 21, 2009, The Marine Corps War Memorial Flag Detail, Inc, became the
Marine Corps War Memorial Foundation expanding it's original mission to include the restoration
and preservation of the Marine Corps War Memorial and the memorial grounds.
On October 26, 2009 the Marine Corps War Memorial Foundation became a 501 ( C ) 19 Veterans Organization having full I.R.S.Contribution Deductibility, recognized as tax exempt under section 501 ( C ) 3 of the I.R.S. code.
