Raising The Flag on Iwo Jima
April 22nd, 2010
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.
This made me cry…we are so lucky to have him in our lives! Love you Con!
Your Grandfather’s painting of the Iwo Jima flag raising is inspirational on this Fourth of July weekend. I sleep better knowing the Marines are on the job defending our nation. Men like the flag raisers and your grandfather are heroes. So are all the youngsters serving our country today.
My fathers younger brother was a gunner on a TBM in VMTB-232. He was at Okinawa too. On April 29th he was lost along with his pilot and an Army observer while attacking the Japanese lines.
Connie…
What a great tribute to grandpa. He is such a kind and gentle soul who never says, no, to anyone. He lives a simple life and is a wonderful example to all people of a dedicated man to God, family and his country…oh, and his customer–he always liked cutting hair and discussing politics with them and his war stories.
I always remember the time I asked him if we were rich. He said, oh my, yes–we have a roof over our heads and a meal on the table every night…this is being rich. I never forgot those words.
Somehow they always keep me in a good perspective of understanding just exactly what life is about.
He was and still is a dedicated marine and would fight, again, for his country if they called him to do so. The painting is a declaration of this and his pride shows through the colors and the movement of the soldiers one seems to feel when they look at it.
Let’s not forget what a dedicated husband he is in caring for grandma. I have never witnessed a 60+ years of keeping a promise “for sickness and in health” marriage vowel.
He is truly a wonderful person and by his actions has shown many good things to his children, grandchildren and lucky great-grand children.
Thank you for posting this about your grandpa…I am proud of you for bringing it to all our minds…certainly to mine. I am proud of him and happy to be his daughter.
Love you,
Zia Maria