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CHAIRMAN LARRY CRAIG PAYS TRIBUTE TO “THE BOOKENDS” OF WORLD WAR II

Photographer Joe Rosenthal and actor Glenn Ford

September 29, 2006
Media contact: Jeff Schrade (202)224-9093

(Washington, DC) U.S. Senator Larry Craig took to the floor of the U.S. Senate Friday night to pay tribute to two men he called "the bookends of World War II."

Here is the text of his prepared remarks:

In my capacity as a United States Senator and Chairman of the U.S. Senate Committee on Veterans' Affairs, I rise today to pay tribute to two men who were bookends of what has been termed "the greatest generation".... those Americans who served World War II.

One stood behind the lens and took the famous photo on Iwo Jima that became the iconic picture of the war in the Pacific. The other gave up a life in front of the lens and laid his life on the line in the cause for freedom in Europe.

Photographer Joe Rosenthal as he looked during WWIII speak, of course, of photographer Joe Rosenthal (left) and famed movie actor Glenn Ford (pictured below).

Both men died a few weeks ago and it is fitting that this body, the Senate of the United States, recognize both men for their contributions.

Most Americans instantly know that image that Joe Rosenthal captured... the photo of five Marines and one Navy corpsman raising the American flag over Iwo Jima.

That image became the basis for the Iwo Jima memorial which rises above Arlington National Cemetery and a copy of which greets those who enter the Quantico Marine Corps base in Virginia.

That image has also made it as a postage stamp - twice - and inspired the creation of at least two major motion pictures - "Sands of Iwo Jima" starring John Wayne - and a new film "Flags of Our Fathers," produced by Clint Eastwood - which debuts in a few weeks.

It has been said, that Joe Rosenthal's famous photograph not only gave Americans back home an image of what was happening on the front lines.... it persuasively argued that Americans were winning.

The impact of that image cannot be overstated.

In fact, former President George Herbert Walker Bush - who served as a Navy pilot during WWII - recently recalled seeing the flag-raising photo in the newspaper during the war with Japan, and said that without the Joe Rosenthal's picture, the war might have dragged on even longer.

"I wonder if Joe fully appreciated what this photograph meant, and what it still means to the American people," the elder President Bush wrote.

The President's comments were shared recently at a public presentation in which Joe Rosenthal was posthumously awarded a Navy medal for distinguished public service. It was an honor long overdue... but one I am proud has finally been awarded.

But while many know the story of Joe Rosenthal's famous photograph, few Americans, however, know the real life story of actor Glenn Ford.

Glenn Ford was born in Canada, he emigrated to the United States when he was 5 years old. He was a descendent of U.S. President Martin Van Buren, but Glenn Ford made his own way in life. He went on to become a Hollywood movie star who appeared in over 100 films and television shows. But his heroic real life military actions are worthy of a film all its own.

Before the beginning of World War II Glenn Glenn Ford as he appeared in the making of the movie "Midway." Photo courtesy of the Glenn Ford Library.Ford served in the Coast Guard Auxiliary. In 1942 he enlisted in the United States Marine Corps. In the aftermath of the war in Europe, Glenn Ford came upon a displaced persons camp several miles outside of Munich, Germany.

An estimated 12-15,000 homeless Jews were living at the Fernwald camp, which appeared to have been overlooked in the post-war confusion.

According to the Simon Wisenthal Center - which in 1985 presented Glenn Ford with the "Liberator's Award":

"The survivors were astonished and wept with gratitude to see an American who really cared, and for seven weeks Ford brought food, books and medical supplies. The supply sergeants looked the other way as Ford loaded his jeep day after day, and headed up to Fernwald.

"Ford alone was responsible for giving hope and life to approximately half of these 12-15,000 inmates over a 7-week period. Many women named their newborn sons after him in recognition and gratitude."

Committed to service in the armed forces, Glenn Ford also served a tour of duty in Vietnam in the Mekong Delta during Operation Deckhouse V and at twice came under intense enemy fire and narrowly escaped death from a sniper's bullet – a bullet which wounded the attaché standing next to him.

Among his numerous medals and commendations are the Medal of Honor presented by the Veterans of Foreign Wars; the Medaille de la France Libre for the liberation of France; two commendation medals from the U.S. Navy; and the Vietnamese Legion of Merit. He received the rank of Captain with the U.S. Naval Reserves in 1968.

Today, as we battle terrorist wherever they are, I think we should all reflect on the words Glenn Ford penned in 1980. He said:

"I’m proud to be an American. Let me say again. I’M PROUD TO BE AN AMERICAN. And I believe it’s time for every one of us to stand up and show our support for our great country. There are faults and occasional inequities in America. But the proof of how good things really are here is the lines at our borders and at our consulates all over the world of people wanting to come here and live.

"In the last 200 years we have built a wonderful dream that other countries can only hope to achieve. So let’s not hurt that dream by our own selfishness. If we think only of ourselves and do nothing but complain about this magnificent country - instead of supporting her - we will lose everything our forefathers fought for. We must all pull together and elect good officials. And we must save energy and help our neighbors - especially the youth of America - understand the real meaning of the free enterprise system.

"But let’s never forget that to remain free we must always be strong. That’s an important lesson I learned in my navy career in and in WW II. National defense must be the top priority for any country. If you are strong, you are safe. Now is the time for every American to be proud. This is the land of the free and the home of the brave. But only as long as we are brave. If we are not brave, we will not be free."

As I said at the beginning of my comments today, Joe Rosenthal and Glenn Ford were bookends of World War II - Joe Rosenthal was behind the lens and took the seminal picture of the War in the Pacific, while Glenn Ford, who had been in front of the lens in the motion picture business, left the limelight and become a true war hero and devoted patriot of this great nation.

Now those heroes are gone... like so many other veterans of that great war.

The nation is losing many of its World War II veterans... nearly 1,000 members of "the greatest generation" are passing away each day... But while they are leaving us at a sad and steady pace, their legacy of freedom and bravery will never be forgotten.

Mr. President, I yield the floor.

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Larry Scott

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