2008 Woodie Awards
Wrestlers not to be compared to Marines
Issue date: 12/9/05 Section: Rocket Letters
To the Editor:
The recent picture of the wrestling team, posing holding the American flag the way they were is very disrespectful. Not many people realize that the picture was probably the most famous photo captured during World War II. Then there is Slippery Rock using this famous photo in a very disrespectful way. For one we are at war and we need SUPPORT from fellow Americans. Perhaps instead of mocking branches of the Armed Forces you could interview veterans who have returned from Iraq. Instead you (The Rocket) used a photo that portrays a mockery of the Marines that raised the American flag on Mount Suribachi. I find this photo to be one of the stupidest things I have come across. You are dishonoring a photo captured by the "Greatest Generation". You are comparing the wrestling team to the Marines of World War II. It might be me but I don't recall ever hearing that these wrestlers were at Mount Suribachi during the flag raising. So they are not the heroes that were on that mountain.
Never have I been so ashamed of The Rocket. I only hope you are getting swamped by other angry students, faculty or anyone who has come across this picture. I hope other students realize the shame in what you as a newspaper have done. This photo leaves me with distaste and also a concern. I question how this photo was passed through the editors and accepted. In no way am I blaming or bashing the wrestling team. I wish the wrestlers the best of luck and I am glad that they received the publicity which they deserved. However my disgust comes from The Rocket for printing this picture.
Jake Holzhauser
Sophomore
Sec. history major
The recent picture of the wrestling team, posing holding the American flag the way they were is very disrespectful. Not many people realize that the picture was probably the most famous photo captured during World War II. Then there is Slippery Rock using this famous photo in a very disrespectful way. For one we are at war and we need SUPPORT from fellow Americans. Perhaps instead of mocking branches of the Armed Forces you could interview veterans who have returned from Iraq. Instead you (The Rocket) used a photo that portrays a mockery of the Marines that raised the American flag on Mount Suribachi. I find this photo to be one of the stupidest things I have come across. You are dishonoring a photo captured by the "Greatest Generation". You are comparing the wrestling team to the Marines of World War II. It might be me but I don't recall ever hearing that these wrestlers were at Mount Suribachi during the flag raising. So they are not the heroes that were on that mountain.
Never have I been so ashamed of The Rocket. I only hope you are getting swamped by other angry students, faculty or anyone who has come across this picture. I hope other students realize the shame in what you as a newspaper have done. This photo leaves me with distaste and also a concern. I question how this photo was passed through the editors and accepted. In no way am I blaming or bashing the wrestling team. I wish the wrestlers the best of luck and I am glad that they received the publicity which they deserved. However my disgust comes from The Rocket for printing this picture.
Jake Holzhauser
Sophomore
Sec. history major
