Magazine insulted service veterans

The people that publish Time magazine -- don't they have any respect for a national memorial then to make a mockery of it?

I believe they owe the American public and especially the U.S. Marine Corps and all the other veterans -- Navy, Air Force, Coast Guard, Army and Merchant Marines -- that fought on Iwo Jima a truly sincere apology. They were all involved in the battle in one way or another. How about it? There were over 6,000 men killed in action, over 20,000 men wounded. That doctored photo is a disgrace to every one.

I served in the Marine Corps from May 12, 1942, to May 11, 1946. I was a machine gunner in H Co. 3rd Bat., 28th Marines, 5th Marine Division on Iwo Jima, landing on Feb. 19, 1945, until March 16, 1945. The day the flag was raised, I was at the base of Mt. Suribachi giving support fire as our troops made their way to the top of Mt. Suribachi and raised our flag. I witnessed both raisings.

Now I will tell you and the whole world that was the stars and stripes flag of the United States of America that was raised that day -- not a tree.

What next? A picture of Tojo, Hitler and Mussolini holding a tree with the caption, "We were just trying to save the earth by getting rid of all the polluters?" Give me a break! I think you are carrying this green thing too far when you doctor a photo that is sacred to so many people -- especially the veterans that fought for and continue to fight for your freedom. The veterans are the ones that give you the freedom to do and act the way you do. So please respect the veterans instead of making a mockery of them.

Gordon Schnulle

Elgin