BSA Troop 719 -- Arlington Cemetary 2006

The guys took a hiking trip to Arlington National Cemetary on March 25, 2006. While at the Iwo Jima Memorial, they met Marine Corps Gunnery Seargant Thomas W. Miller Jr. He was 22 when he was at Iwo Jima, and he had just been there for 5 days when someone tapped him on the shoulder and said "Look, they got the flag up". Seargant Miller often visits Arlington and tells his story of Iwo Jima. The U.S. generals had expected the battle for Iwo Jima to last for only 5 days. However, on the first day, close to 600 Marines died. The battle ended up lasting for 36 days, and during that time, 6,000 Marines were killed, and almost 20,000 were wounded before the U. S. could claim victory. Share the guys' hike with them and remember with reverance the brave soldiers who lost their lives then to defend freedom in the world, and remember the brave soldiers who are continuing to sacrifice their lives to defend freedom.