What a wonderful hidden gem! The Iwo Jima Monument that resides in the Arlington National Cemetery was cast in bronze from a plaster model made by sculptor Dr. Felix W. de Weldon. That original, full-sized plaster model currently resides on the campus of the Marine Military Academy in Harlingen, Texas! This moving memorial of the capture of Mt. Suribachi on February 23, 1945 now also stands as an inspiration to Marine cadets. Of local significance, the Marine that placed the flagpole into the ground on Mt. Suribachi was a South Texas native, Cpl Harlon H. Block. Block's gravesite is next to the monument.
There is a small museum near the monument. It offers an excellent movie and several interesting artifacts.
