Public Art

The Iwo Jima Monument was created by the sculptor Felix de Weldon, who has also crafted the Iwo Jima statue in Arlington, Virginia, and it was commissioned in 1964 by developers in Cape Coral. It stands a towering 20 feet high, full round, and depicts one of the most epic battles fought during World War II, in the Pacific, on Mount Suribachi, which is the highest point on Iwo Jima.

Felix de Weldon designed this sculpture from the original photograph that was taken by Jos Rosenthal, on February 23, 1945, who was present at that very moment when Ira Hayes, Franklin, Sousley, Michael Strank, Rene Gagnon, John Bradley, and Harlon Block, otherwise known as the five Marines and Navy hospital corpsmen, stormed Mount Suribachi with fiery to raise the American Flag on its peak to signify to all from below and to the World that the U.S. has prevailed! The sculpture symbolizes our soldiers’ determination, bravery, and courage during a dark, foreboding time in world history.

By having this monument displayed openly, proudly in a spacious, manicured park, beside a well-maintained bridge, it clearly symbolizes the love of country and service in the Cape Coral community. The monument is seen by millions each year, which speaks volumes about the area and its priorities. It valorously conveys to all that the residents of Fort Myers and Cape Coral respect, honor, and are grateful for their freedom and the soldiers that protect it and died for it. It also reminds us that freedom is not free. It is because of beautiful, captivating pieces of art, like the sculpture by Felix de Weldon, which immortalizes an act of selflessness and fearlessness by our men in uniform, that we will never forget or take for granted the ultimate sacrifice many men and women nobly paid for us to live free today.