love here knows no limit
love here swells
to the ends of the earth
where the depths of the seas see
as high as the heavens hear
and back again
my arms stretch to where you are
can’t you feel my embrace?
you are surrounded
remember this
No word could you say
No act might you do
could ever stop the
love that fills me up
with just a thought of you

Fly

Sweetheart it’s time
to fly now
Soar through the
unknown
to the other side,
Where only Fate
knows what lies ahead
and You
only if
You
Free Yourself
and Fly
So let go now
We’re all waiting for you
on the other side
The side where
Dreams Come True

Rendition by: Frank J Renda

I landed on Okinawa as a corporal with the USMC invasion force on April 1, 1945. I armed the Grumman Avengers of VTMB-232 for the entire Okinawa campaign. After the war, I returned to civilian life and became a barber and self-taught artist. One of my goals was to paint a true color rendition of the Flag Raising on Iwo Jima, to honor all Marine veterans. I especially wanted to honor the artistry, sacrifice, and memory of Sgt. William Genaust, the Marine combat photographer who took the color motion pictures of the second flag raising.
I recently had a professional photographer take an 8×10 inch digital color photo of my oil painting. The high-quality digital color print presents a very clear rendering. One can see the true colors of the Marine uniforms that we wore in the Pacific Theatre.

Frank J. Renda
WW2 USMC Veteran, Pacific Theatre
VMTB-232, The Red Devil Squadron

This is my grandfather’s voice. He always inspires me. He is a barber. He is also an artist, an inventor, a poet, a veteran, a father, a grandfather, and a super duper great-grandfather. ALL children and animals love him. He’s a magnet when it comes to these innocent beings. You know people like this, right? They are amazing. He likes to do things himself, especially when you tell him you are on your way over to his house to mow the lawn and help out. I imagine in that instant he stops everything he is doing and rushes to the shed to get out the riding mower. Then he speeds around the lawn like a drag racer and looks like a mad scientist. I don’t think I’ve ever seen anyone mow a lawn like my grandpa. He tries to get it done before you get there to help him, then you arrive and bust him whipping around trees like a weather vane in a storm. Except its sunny and he is smiling like a mischievous six year old. Grandpa Frank likes to draw flies and bunny rabbits. He pretends his hand is a spider out to get you which can make any child howl with excitement. He has a theme song that he sings to kids when he holds them. I’d sing it to you if this weren’t a blog. He remembers EVERYTHING and loves to share war stories. I cherish listening to every word with great pride and joy. He’s a wonderful storyteller. Which is why I wanted to post this painting on my blog.

My Grandpa Frank is a spectacular artist! This particular painting is such a treasure. It evokes so many emotions and tells the same fervent story we all know and have seen so often. The difference here is the vibrant colors that are so true to life. It was important for my grandfather to paint. I am so proud of him. I am happy to share his painting with you. If you would like a copy, write to me. He has many, many prints available for a very modest price.