Marines from the 3rd expeditionary force, fresh
from battles in Iraq and Afghanistan land on Iwo Jima to help
make ready for the 65th anniversary of that historic battle. They
brought with them trucks of water food and supplies to help make
ready for the 65th anniversary of the battle.
The Island is inhabited only by about 300 Japanese troops, Iwo
Jima, a tiny island about the size of Manhattan, is a maze of
tunnels, caves, and dense, scraggly underbrush. It is believed
to be covered with too much unexploded ordnance left over from
the battle to be developed, and has been largely left untouched.
It is instead an open tomb.
All though dozens of remains are recovered every year, about 12,000
Japanese are stilled classified as missing in action, and presumed
killed on the island, along with 218 Americans.
Many of the Marines visited the beaches of the landing sites and
scooped up black volcanic sand into glass jars for souvenirs,
then climbed mount Suribachi to see for them selves were the flag
was raised on February 23 1945.
About 1000 people including Marine core commandant Gen. James
Conway, members of Japan’s parliament, and representatives
of the Iwo Jima survivors association are expected to attend the
ceremony commemorating the famous pacific battle. However there
are only about two dozen veterans of the battle that are expected
to attend the ceremony because most of the survivors are now in
there 80s and 90s.
Japanese air carrier announces separate
lavatories for women
The Palestinian Islamist group Hamas on Thursday
banned men in the Gaza Strip from working in women's hair salons,
vowing to arrest and try offenders.
"The Palestinian authorities (in Gaza) have decided to ban
men from working in women's beauty parlors following instructions
from Interior Minister Fathi Hammad," said in a statement
on the website of the Hamas-run police force in Gaza.
"Anyone who breaches this decision will be arrested and
tried."
Over the last three years, several beauty parlors and hair salons
in the Gaza Strip have been the target of explosions and other
attacks, which Hamas have blamed on radical Islamist groups who
share the ideology of al Qaeda.
Such groups, which seek to defy Hamas rule in Gaza and criticize
its leaders for not implementing strict Islamic law, have been
blamed for attacks on places in the territory such as Internet
cafes and Christian schools and property.
If any of you have traveled on a airplane lately
you might have found that your experience has been less than enjoyable.
In fact most people who fly on domestic airplanes are complaining
more and more about the small seats, extra fees on luggage, and
poor customer service.
But not in Japan. Japans second largest air carrier All Nippon
Airways <ANA> has announced that it will not only have bigger
seats for passengers but will also fit its jets with separate
lavatories for women.
It’s nice to see some companies making a big effort to accommodate
its passengers with more connivance, and comfort. Unlike us air
carriers who are kicking fat people off of airplanes.
