Union Daughter Honors Father and 60th Anniversary of Iwo Jima

Many Americans celebrated Valentines Day this week sending hearts, candy or flowers to friends and loved ones. We also celebrate the 60th anniversary of the battle of Iwo Jima, one of the bloodiest campaigns of World War II. In remembering those who fought we honor another kind of love. The love of family, country and a way of life founded in this place – the Commonwealth of Massachusetts on the spiritual principles of freedom and equality, waged against the enemy of tyranny.

American casualties on Iwo Jima totaled more than 26,000 including 6,800 killed. Most of the Americans who died were Marines. Thousands were maimed: injured physically, mentally and spiritually. Mothers and fathers lost their sons. Brides lost their husbands. Children lost their fathers. Among the Marines fighting on Iwo Jima, was my father Edward T. Conley, born 7/17/25 in Arlington, Massachusetts.

As a young girl, I remember the USMC blanket that was folded at the foot of one of my brother’s bed. It was incredibly coarse and it itched and hurt at the same time when I felt it on my arm. The blanket had a particular smell not unlike a horse blanket, but still different. I try to imagine my father at nineteen. He has told me a little about Iwo Jima. He was working with the Corps of Engineers on the air strip. It was critical to secure the island to use as a landing site for the large Bombers to land. I learned that his back was injured in combat from my mother; he didn’t talk about being injured except to say that his hearing had been affected by the mortars. The hearing in his right ear was always a problem and neither I nor my five siblings ever had any patience with repeating things for him to hear us.

He told me when I was older about shooting an enemy soldier. He had had nightmares for years. There was no counseling, no help with the wounds of war...just commitment and a clear understanding of survival. Nineteen years old. He returned home to Massachusetts where he married his sweetheart. He worked as a blue-collar UNION PLUMBER (Local #12), for forty years. They live in the house in Winchester where they raised six kids, volunteered on the PTO, Park and Rec. committee and town meeting. They have paid taxes for decades. They are true-blue Democrats and proud of it. They would like to see our government be more supportive of education, working people, elders and health care. He hasn’t asked for or taken a dime for the pain. No way.

They wish to see their grandchildren live in a better world. They would like to see our society promote respect and truly treasure democracy over greed. It is actually unimaginable to grasp what he, she and they have done for all of us. Their gifts to us must be cherished and we must ensure that their sacrifices remain unforgettable. We should honor their love for us by working to grant their wish.

Kathleen Conley Norbut (D)
Selectman
Monson