Lindberg, who died June 24, 2007, at the age of 86, was on hand last year for the groundbreaking at the memorial site May 28, 2007.
At age 24, then U.S. Marine Corporal Lindberg, wearing a 72-pound flame-thrower on his back, helped lead a patrol to the summit of Mount Suribachi Feb. 23, 1945, during the bloody weeks-long battle for Iwo Jima. Lindberg\'s patrol raised the first U.S. flag on Iwo Jima. Hours later, a second flagraising captured in the famous Associated Press photo won renown for another group of U.S. soldiers.
In recent years, however, Lindberg won increasing recognition for his role at Iwo Jima, including a public television documentary. (See Minneapolis Labor Review story, May 26, 2005 -- www.minneapolisunions.org/charles_lindberg_story.php )
In addition, last year, IBEW Local 292 named its training facility in St. Michael in Lindberg\'s honor.
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| Charles Lindberg holds a 1945 photo of himself from the battle for Iwo Jima. Photo by Steve Share, Minneapolis Labor Review editor |
Sculptor Jeff Barber working to install the Lindberg statue July 2. Photo by Brian Peterson, IBEW Local 292 representative |
Led by Local 292, local unions donated funds and volunteer hours to help construct the Honoring All Veterans Memorial, which Lindberg insisted should honor all veterans, not just himself.
The list of unions sponsoring the memorial includes: IBEW Local 292, IBEW Local 110, Iron Workers Local 412, Laborers International Union of North America, Laborers Local 563, Operating Engineers Local 49, Pipefitters Local 539.
The statue unveiling will be July 4 at 3 p.m. at Veteran\'s Park, E. 64th St. and Portland Ave., Richfield (north of the Richfield American Legion).
Shuttle bus service will run from St. Peters Church, 6730 Nicollet Ave., to the site, from 2 p.m. until 5 p.m. The bus has an accessible lift and space for two wheelchairs.
About 20 union members wearing red t-shirts will be volunteering at the event, said Brian Peterson, IBEW Local 292 business representative.
Lindberg\'s widow, Vi, will be among the speakers. Rodney Lindberg, a son, will sing.
"Three of the couple\'s five children will raise the flag at the memorial for the first time, as their father did at Iwo Jima," Peterson said.
The unveiling of the statue at the Honoring All Veterans Memorial will be part of a larger July 4 celebration in Richfield including a parade, a carnival at Veteran\'s Park, and a fireworks display.
For more information about the Honoring All Veterans Memorial:
http://www.richfieldveteransmemorial.org
For more information about the Richfield July 4 celebration, including a schedule of events:
http://www.richfield4thofjuly.com
For more information about the public television documentary about Lindberg, including how to order a DVD copy: www.lastflagraiser.com/
Share
Lindberg, who died June 24, 2007, at the age of 86, was on hand last year for the groundbreaking at the memorial site May 28, 2007.
At age 24, then U.S. Marine Corporal Lindberg, wearing a 72-pound flame-thrower on his back, helped lead a patrol to the summit of Mount Suribachi Feb. 23, 1945, during the bloody weeks-long battle for Iwo Jima. Lindberg\’s patrol raised the first U.S. flag on Iwo Jima. Hours later, a second flagraising captured in the famous Associated Press photo won renown for another group of U.S. soldiers.
In recent years, however, Lindberg won increasing recognition for his role at Iwo Jima, including a public television documentary. (See Minneapolis Labor Review story, May 26, 2005 — www.minneapolisunions.org/charles_lindberg_story.php )
In addition, last year, IBEW Local 292 named its training facility in St. Michael in Lindberg\’s honor.
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|
| Charles Lindberg holds a 1945 photo of himself from the battle for Iwo Jima.
Photo by Steve Share, Minneapolis Labor Review editor |
Sculptor Jeff Barber working to install the Lindberg statue July 2.
Photo by Brian Peterson, IBEW Local 292 representative |
Led by Local 292, local unions donated funds and volunteer hours to help construct the Honoring All Veterans Memorial, which Lindberg insisted should honor all veterans, not just himself.
The list of unions sponsoring the memorial includes: IBEW Local 292, IBEW Local 110, Iron Workers Local 412, Laborers International Union of North America, Laborers Local 563, Operating Engineers Local 49, Pipefitters Local 539.
The statue unveiling will be July 4 at 3 p.m. at Veteran\’s Park, E. 64th St. and Portland Ave., Richfield (north of the Richfield American Legion).
Shuttle bus service will run from St. Peters Church, 6730 Nicollet Ave., to the site, from 2 p.m. until 5 p.m. The bus has an accessible lift and space for two wheelchairs.
About 20 union members wearing red t-shirts will be volunteering at the event, said Brian Peterson, IBEW Local 292 business representative.
Lindberg\’s widow, Vi, will be among the speakers. Rodney Lindberg, a son, will sing.
"Three of the couple\’s five children will raise the flag at the memorial for the first time, as their father did at Iwo Jima," Peterson said.
The unveiling of the statue at the Honoring All Veterans Memorial will be part of a larger July 4 celebration in Richfield including a parade, a carnival at Veteran\’s Park, and a fireworks display.
For more information about the Honoring All Veterans Memorial:
http://www.richfieldveteransmemorial.org
For more information about the Richfield July 4 celebration, including a schedule of events:
http://www.richfield4thofjuly.com
For more information about the public television documentary about Lindberg, including how to order a DVD copy: www.lastflagraiser.com/