National Iwo Jima Memorial - part 3

Across from the medical and chaplain corp and along the fence, is the eternal flame. Sections of the fence are marked along the way with flags.

the eternal flame

flag line

detail on the monument to honor the first flag raisers

detail on the monument showing the battle plan

National Iwo Jima Memorial - part 2

The incredible attention to detail is shown with the small area to the side of the main monument where the medical and chaplain corp are honored for their service. The black stone is so polished that the snow surrounding the area is reflected.

Medical Corp to the left, Chaplain Corp to the right

Medical Corp detail

Chaplain Corp detail

The reflecting snow creates an eerie image.

National Iwo Jima Memorial - 2/23/14

After many attempts, my schedule finally worked out and I got to the National Iwo Jima Memorial in CT for the annual flag raising ceremony. The monument is wonderful. The attention to detail is incredible. Over the next several posts, I'll share the photos I took of the monument and of the ceremony.

The monument depicts the familiar and more famous second flag raising on Iwo Jima.

National Iwo Jima Memorial, CT - side view

National Iwo Jima Monument, CT

National Iwo Jima Memorial, CT - looking from the rear

National Iwo Jima Memorial, CT - hazy sunshine

If you get a chance to stop by sometime, it is a fitting memorial to a great battle.




My thanks to the Support our Survivors of Iwo Jima organization for putting this together.   http://www.sosiwojima.com/  very well done!

The power of technology

Technology sometimes gets talked about as being bad for us, how much it changes our lives, how it is depersonalizing life. My view is that most anything taken to an extreme is not good. And in this particular case, the use of technology to bring a view to those who are unable to travel to the national capital to see the Memorials that were built for them is priceless.

Vietnam Veterans Memorial - Virtual Wall

To remember and honor the veterans of the Vietnam War, this website is interactive so you can look by name, by city, state, etc.

Virtual Wall

You can visit the site by going directly to  http://www.virtualwall.org/

1 yr Memorial Mass

The one year Memorial Mass for Jerry will be celebrated this Sunday at 10:30 AM at St Michael's Church, Smithfield, RI.


St Michael's Church
80 Farnum Pike
Smithfield, RI 02917




View Larger Map

Odds in our favor

The Mass Saturday evening at St Michael's was a simple ceremony with a full church. After the homily, the names of the deceased were read in the order by month that they passed. A member of the family brought up the candle, had it lit, and then placed it on a table to the side on the altar. There was quite a collection when all was done.

The full listing of names:



Dolores and I took Mr and Mrs Proulx with us to the Mass. We stopped at Chelo's on RT 44 for dinner after. What would the odds be for us to be seated at the same booth where I last sat with Dad?

Memorial Mass - Nov 3, 2012

St Michael's Church in Georgiaville, RI will be holding a memorial mass on Saturday, Nov 3, 2012 at 5:00 PM. This mass will remember all the parishioners who passed away this year. This was Jerry's most recent parish and where the funeral mass was held in February.

If you are in or around the area and want to join us at the mass, please let me know.



From the notification on the mass:

"Catholic tradition sets aside the month of November as a time to remember our loved ones who have died. During the 5:00 PM Mass on Saturday, November 3, there will be a simple ceremony to remember our parishioners who have died since last November. As a family who has suffered the loss of a loved one, I invite you to participate in this mass. 

After the homily, the names of those who have died since last November will be read. As each name is spoken, we invite you or a family member to come forward to place a candle next to the altar. After mass, you may take the candle home with you. If you do not wish to participate in the candle ceremony, you are still welcome to come to the mass. 

A candle with Gerald Sherlock's name on it will be available on a table at the front entrance to the Church. Please take the candle before mass begins so you have it with you when the names are read. You may sit wherever you wish, as there will be no reserved seating."

The Choice Flowers of Springtime

Jerry's daughter, Joan found this photo of Jerry and scanned it to a digital photo. It is of Jerry in the Pacific carrying his M1 Carbine. The other MARINES are carrying Carbines as well.

I began the day with the Special Forces Association in Exeter at the Veterans Cemetery. One of my fellow Pipers, Sgt. Major David Morgan of The 43rd MP Brigade played Amazing Grace as a final Salute to the Fallen.

My final stop was at Rita and Jerry's grave. Another fellow worker had wanted to place a US Flag at the grave for Jerry. It was considerably warmer then the last time I was there. The Cemetery was full of folks paying respects to family members. It was truly full of the Choicest Flowers of the Springtime. We placed a second flag to the left of the head stone.

I leave you with the part of the passage from Gen. John A. Logan's order recognizing Memorial Day.

"The 30th day of May, 1868, is designated for the purpose of strewing with flowers or otherwise decorating the graves of comrades who died in defense of their country during the late rebellion, and whose bodies now lie in almost every city, village, and hamlet churchyard in the land. In this observance no form or ceremony is prescribed, but posts and comrades will in their own way arrange such fitting services and testimonials of respect as circumstances may permit...... 

If other eyes grow dull and other hands slack, and other hearts cold in the solemn trust, ours shall keep it well as long as the light and warmth of life remain in us. 

Let us, then, at the time appointed, gather around their sacred remains and garland the passionless mounds above them with choicest flowers of springtime; let us raise above them the dear old flag they saved from dishonor; let us in this solemn presence renew our pledges to aid and assist those whom they have left among us as sacred charges upon the Nation's gratitude,--the soldier's and sailor's widow and orphan."

Gen. John A. Logan
Headquarters,
Grand Army of the Republic
Washington, D.C., May 5, 1868

Memorial Day - 2012

This day was honored in prior years with Jerry around. This is the first year where Jerry is not around and he is missed.



When you see a veteran, thank them for their service.

As Memorial Day approaches, a significant force is now missing.
 He is missed by the Saturday Lunch crew.
  He is missed by his fellow MARINES.
Above all, he is missed dearly by the Sherlock Clan.

Semper Fi Jerry.

Jerry's Story: Memorial Day 2010

Jerry was a guest speaker for the Memorial Day ceremonies at Smithfield, RI. He gave a brief speech.

Time: 1 minute 29 seconds



MP3 File

The photos from the ceremony can be viewed here:
http://jerrysherlockstory.blogspot.com/2010/06/memorial-day-2010.html

Memorial Day 2010

Jerry was a guest speaker at the Memorial Day services in Smithfield, RI on Monday, May 31.

A slide show of photos from the event:




I did record the event and should be able to post that recording this week.


Note: Email subscribers will need to click through to Jerry's Story to view the slideshow.

25th Memorial Mass for Rita Sherlock

From the South

Take I-95 North to I-295 North

Take exit 7A for US-44 E

Merge onto Putnam Pike/US-44 -> 0.1 mi

Turn left at Esmond St -> 0.8 mi

Turn left at RI-104/Waterman Ave

Continue to follow RI-104

Destination will be on the left -> 0.8 mi

St Michael's Church

80 Farnum Pike

Smithfield, RI 02917

8:00 AM - Sunday November 30, 2008

From the North

• Take I-295 South


• Take exit 8B for State Hwy 7 North -> 0.4 mi


• Merge onto Douglas Pike/Douglas Turnpike/RI-7 -> 0.5 mi


• Turn left at RI-116/Route 116 -> 1.2 mi


• Turn left at Farnum Pike/RI-104/RI-116/RI-5


• Continue to follow Farnum Pike/RI-104


• Destination will be on the right -> 2.0 mi

St Michael's Church
80 Farnum Pike
Smithfield, RI 02917

8:00 AM - Sunday November 30, 2008

Kilroy was here

Yes, one of the most famous soldiers of World War II was not to be kept out of the monument in Washington, DC. It was not listed on the architectural drawing but some how, it appeared.

More to come but Jerry had a wonderful couple of days visiting the World War II Memorial, the Marine Corp Memorial (The Iwo Jima Statue) and then



It was both an honor and a pleasure for his three sons and one grandson to accompany him on this weekend. We also were treated to a windshield tour of the Marine Corp Base at Quantico by Dan Stanton (US Air Force Colonel Ret.)

Stay tuned for some stories and more pictures.