re: The 79th anniversary of the Battle of Iwo Jima approaches, here's audio from the battle...

My Granddad had played football for Shug Jordan. Blew out his knee. When the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor, every man went to the gym in Auburn to signup. Granddad was turned down by the Army and Navy. Dejected , he stood away from the crowd. A Marine Corps Officer saw him and asked what was wrong. He explained the knee. "And your degree is in what?"
"Civil Engineering." "Follow me, I think I have a place for you." Bum knee and all......he kept the runways open on the Canal and at Iwo. He had two items one from each island. A Japanese Officer's sword and his proudest object. A lantern found on the beach.