Richard Stengel
Managing Editor - Time Magazine
Time- Life Building - Rockefeller Center
New York, New York 10020-1393
Mr. Stengel,
The cover of your April 28, 2008 Special Environmental Issue was
appalling, and offensive to all members of our Armed Services,
especially those who fought the Battle of Iwo Jima, and to every
American who understands and reveres the sacrifice of those Marines
who fought and died to raise our flag atop Mount Suribachi.
Your subsequent “explanation”, devoid of an apology, was no better.
After nearly a month and despite many calls to do so, neither you
nor your publication has made right with these men and women and the
memory of the fallen. On the eve of our nation’s Memorial Day, it is
time that you did.
Co-opting the hallowed image of the United States Marine Corps War
Memorial was horrendous enough. To barely acknowledge, and in fact
dismiss, the outrage of the Marines who served there - and that of
all those who served and are serving in all branches of the military
- is worse still.
The Iwo Jima Memorial is a sacred part of our national story. It is
a transcendental image that represents the love, honor and respect
the American people have for those who gave so much to defend us,
those who wrote vital chapters in blood and sweat to ensure our
American tale could continue being told.
It is not a punch line to be altered on the momentary whim of
journalists attempting to further pet projects. To politicize what
should be - what is - an apolitical moment in time, a great one of
American valor and victory, is simply and unequivocally wrong.
Those who have signed this letter – veterans of the Battle of Iwo
Jima, the Second World War, the Korean War, the Vietnam War, the
Persian Gulf War, the wars of Afghanistan and Iraq and other retired
and currently serving members of all branches of the military –
deserve far better and so much more.
Our intent with this letter is to elicit what nothing thus far has
succeeded in securing - a full and complete apology from you and
your publication to the men who served at Iwo Jima, and in defense
of our nation then and now.
Anything short of that belittles further the memory and the majesty
of those Marines and everyone who has ever put on our nation’s
uniform.
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L. Brent Bozell, III
Founder and President |
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