Memorial Day, honoring an Iwo Jima Marine Veteran

The true purpose of the Memorial Day is to remember the fallen, and the forgotten - yet we might also think of those survivors like Sgt. Padell HQ-2-24 who left a part of them on those far away battlefields that now lay silent. The bond was so great that they shared, that their last wish was to be returned to be at one with the ghosts of the past. Here Sgt. Padelskas (Padell) HQ-2-24 is returned to a tiny Pacific island battlefield known as Iwo Jima. His final resting place becomes what some may call the "best seat in the house", high atop Mount Suribachi, overlooking the same stretch of beach that he and so many others landed upon Feb 19th, 1945.

Sergeant Padell never forgot his WWII Marine buddies, nor did he forget the deeds of his fallen comrades who paid the ultimate price for an 8 square mile volcanic island so very far away from home. It is the Padell families wish to share this video so that others might remember and wish to honor their own family members who fell, and have fallen in service of our country.

*Please note that while I am wearing the uniform of a WWII Marine, I myself was not a Marine. I did so to honor this man, his memory and the deeds of those who fell during the 36 day battle, sincerely. HG

Category:

Travel & Events

Tags:

• USMC
• usmc
• Marine
• Corps
• Iwo
• Jima
• WWII
• WW2
• wwii
• Pacific
• war
• military
• veteran
• navy
• suribachi
• mount
• memorial
• day

[92naz32]

Very nice tribute. Thats a great thing you did for Sgt. Padelskas and I'm certain his family appreciates what you've done for an ol' Marine, I do. Semper Fi.

[sandyza]

Very moving ceremony - thank you for sharing it with us.  My father, LeRoy Wray Zion, was also on Iwo with the USMC (the Fighting 4th!). He passed away this past March at 85 years old but remained a true Marine up until his death.

[CarterBoyy227]

Very nice ceremony. I am an Iwo Jima fanatic and hope to go someday. I hope to see more videos if you go again :)