MEMORIAL
The vision for the proposed Iwo Jima Monument West Memorial includes the following:
- The Flag Raising Monument will be placed on the hillside next to the Pacific View Events Center looking out over; Vandegrift Blvd, Interstate 5 and Del Mar Beach. The statue by itself measures 16’ x 9’ x 20.5’ and weighs about five tons. The monument will be facing the Pacific Ocean and will feature a protective cover (which will help ensure permanency for another 500 years). Drivers on the I-5 corridor and even military and non-military ships offshore will be able to see the flag perched above the monument, as it was during the Battle on Iwo Jima.
- An arched Honor Wall will be constructed adjacent to the monument and topped with 48 flags (there were 48 states in 1945). The wall messaging shall be determined by the USMC The Flag Raising Monument and the Honor Wall, covered in flags, will be lit at night in red, white and blue.
- A Tribute Garden will be established on adjacent grounds near the Pacific View Events Center complimenting the Korean War memorials and the existing Iwo Jima plaque. Pathways will gently link with existing pathways and provide viewing sites and locations for markers recognizing major donors. If agreeable to the Japanese government, samples of the black volcanic sand from Iwo Jima will be placed onsite for an interactive experience.
Additional concepts include:
- An area for larger gatherings for Marine Corps’ use in front of the sculpture, linked by a bridge (over the protected area) for up close viewing.
- A series of onsite kiosks will provide the story of the battle (raw footage), interviews with survivors and a list of all those who have sent a gift to support the mission (name only).
DESIGN COMPETITION
Our architect has completed Request for Proposals (RFPs) in the form of a design competition (like the Marine National Heritage Museum), now available for distribution to interested firms. Once the finalists have been selected, those designs will be made available to retired Marines for comment in a preference poll. The Advisory Board with consultants will make the final determination as to the design to be constructed. To obtain the RFP, please send a request.
TIMEFRAME
The 50l c3 as a matter of policy will not commence the purchase, design phase, and construction until no less than 90% of the funds needed to complete the project are either in hand or pledged. Once the process begins, financial shortfalls should be avoided at all costs. It behooves us for the sake of the Iwo Jima survivors and their families that this be completed no later than the end of 2016 so these Marines can relish the site and the acknowledgement of their sacrifice once again from a grateful Nation. The memorial will forever be a place that inspires, educates, and puts on display one of America’s most significant monuments to American courage and exceptionalism.
ESTIMATED COST: $9-10 MILLION
Final costs are dependent on two major factors: 1) final purchase price of the monument and the transfer costs to Camp Pendleton and (2) cost of the design/build of the memorial site, including hardscape/landscape, and any special accoutrements to be determined during final design phase.
COLLATERAL MATERIALS
With the purchase of the monument come collateral materials that are destined to be gifted to the Marine Corps Recruit Depot Museum in San Diego, CA. The items will be part of a special display area as determined in conjunction with the MCRD History Museum Foundation.
MAINTENANCE FUND
The Memorial project includes the establishment of a Maintenance Fund to ensure perpetual maintenance at no cost to the Marine Corps.
REMAINING FUNDS OVER EXPENSES
Any excess funds raised will be used to assist in the preservation of other Iwo Jima Memorials in custody of the USMC at other US locations, including but not limited to MCRD Parris Island, SC.
FACTOID
The original bronze Marine War Memorial at Arlington, VA was paid for by donations (96% Marines).
Asset: create a pie chart showing 96% funded by Marines… or chart using silhouette of monument.
BENEFITS
This memorial will fill a void at Camp Pendleton for a significant Iwo Jima Flag Raising monument. Camp Pendleton is the base that came into existence after the attack on Pearl Harbor by Japan, Dec. 7, 1941. Most Marines trained here before going out to the Pacific War island by island, illustrating the effectiveness of the Marine Corps as an amphibious force, and creating through the famous photograph a relationship between the Marine Corps and Americans that exists today. The image has endeared America to the Marine Corps.