Contributing writer Bonnie Cranmer
Veterans Day holds important memories for many in the Craig County community. The Craig Valley VFW #4491 created a special float for the parade, honoring the Battle of Iwo Jima. The club entered the parade with the float in 2023, garnering many accolades. The Roanoke parade officials and watchers along the route were so impressed with the re-creation that the club was invited to return with the float in the parade this year.
Club members Dave Caldwell, Billy Lee, Ken Looney, Robert Falsone, Walter Marsden, Jamie Crouse, Joann Smith, and float designer Mike Rivers rode on the float on the Saturday, Nov. 9 parade in Roanoke. The entire parade was covered by WSLS 10 and can be viewed at their link on YouTube (https://youtu.be/iENwo3lzvLs?si=f_4AcmMiuc7F8PJ5 beginning at 23:10 mark).
The float was a recreation of the famous photo of the World War II battle, the original idea of Mike Rivers. “We wanted to recognize the WW II Era veterans as we have so few left in our country. There are about 66,614, less than 1% of the 16.4 million that served in WWII alive today in 2024,” stated club member Joann Smith. “We have a responsibility to ensure that the memories and experiences of the war are not lost as those who lived through it leave this world. We hope this reenactment serves as a reminder and remembrance of the people who sacrificed so much during World War II,” Smith said.
The Battle of Iwo Jima was fought between February and March of 1945. More than 45,000 casualties occurred in the span of 39 days in the effort to clear the aerial approach to the Hope Islands and pave the way to Okinawa where forces would invade on April 1, 1945. Honoring both those who fought there and those who died in the effort is why the float has such importance to local veterans.
