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From the Department of Veterans’ Affairs Health
Administration Center Newsletter, October, 2005
Honoring
Pfc Louis Charles Charlo
In honor of National American Indian Heritage
Month, the AIP will place a picture of Pfc Louis Charles Charlo
on the HAC Wall of Diversity. It is not well known that two
flags were raised on Mount Suribachi on February 23, 1945. The
famous picture taken of the six Marines raising the flag is
actually a photo of the second flag to be raised that day. At
8:00 a.m. on February 23,
1945, six Marines were led up the mountain by Lt. Harold
Schrier. By 10:20 a.m. they had raised the colors of the United
States of America. Charlo was a member of this first group of
Marines.
There have been accounts which say Charlo was not a part of the
raising of the flag, that he was a part of the reconnaissance
mission which secured the Mount Suribachi. Much documentation
exists to support both sides of the debate. Either way we know he was present on Mount
Suribachi, on February 23. What is important is that Charlo is a
veteran; a veteran who was killed in action in Iwo Jima on March
2, 1945. 
He was 18 years old. It is important that he was
the direct descendant of Chief Charlo of the Salish Indian
Nation. The very same tribe which gave safe passage to Lewis and
Clark, as they made their way through Montana, crossing hostile
territory, as they sought to forge a passage to the Pacific
Ocean. It is important to us that his sister and brother are
still alive, and have graciously given their blessing for his
photo to grace our Wall of Diversity. We know without doubt or hesitation that Charlo
was on Mount Suribachi that historic day of February 23, 1945.
We know he is famous in more ways than one for his historic role
in the raising of the colors on Iwo Jima. Most importantly
we know he is a Veteran.
Pfc Louis Charles Charlo
In
honor of National American Indian
Heritage Month, and for Charlo’s contribution and
sacrifice to his country, we place his picture on the Wall of
Diversity with pride. You are welcome to join us on November 2,
2005 at 2:00 p.m. for the placing of the photograph on the Wall
of Diversity.
Najah Ligh tfoot-Bagley, American Indian Program Manager
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