Frances “Quinn” Lawton of Estill, South Carolina was among twelve Young Marines from across the country who traveled to Guam and Iwo Jima to honor the 80th anniversary of the WWII Battle of Iwo Jima by planting a flag on Mt. Suribachi. Last month , this select group of Young Marines climbed Mt. Suribachi, the scene of the flag raising by United States Marines at Iwo Jima, where the famous photo was taken during this battle.

The Young Marines is a national non-profit 501(c)(3) youth education and service program for boys and girls, age eight through high school graduation.

Honoring our 6,821 fallen U.S. Marines at Iwo Jima were ten of the 2024 and 2025 Division Young Marines of the Year from across the U.S. Quinn is the Division 2 Young Marine of the Year and a member of the Upstate Young Marines of the Upstate Young Marines of Greenville, South Carolina. One Young Marine, a recipient of the Jimmy Trimble Award, Leighanna Mackey of Groesbeck, Texas, was also a member of the group who made the trip to Guam and Iwo Jima.

"As a retired Marine, standing atop Mt. Suribachi with these Young Marines is more than a privilege—it’s a living tribute to the courage and sacrifice of those who fought here in 1945. Watching them reenact the raising of the flag reminds us that the legacy of Iwo Jima isn’t just history, it’s a torch being passed to the next generation,"  said Col William P. Davis USMC (Ret), national executive director and CEO of the Young Marines.

The flags, donated by Allegiance Flags USA, were taken to the top of Mt. Suribachi by each of the 12 Young Marines where they planted the flags, honoring the 1945 battle where the famous photo of U.S. Marines planting the flag on Mt. Suribachi took place. 

After the reenactment, the flags were returned by the Young Marines to Young Marines National Headquarters, for use at their discretion.

The group was part of the “Reunion of Honor Tour,” sponsored by the Military Historical Tours in cooperation with the Iwo Jima Association of America, which is dedicated to perpetuating the legacy, preserving the memory of our Iwo Jima and WWII Pacific camcampaign veterans, and ensuring America and Japan never forget their sacrifices.

After the flag raising, the Young Marines were joined by military and civilian dignitaries from the US and Japanese governments, along with the bereaved families of the fallen patriots on both sides of that terrible conflict for a solemn and reverent Joint US/Japanese Reunion of Honor. This commemorative and joint memorial service furthers the reconciliation between the US and Japan and strengthens the alliance between our two nations. 

“History comes alive to ensure we never forget” states the Iwo Jima Association.   

The Young Marines promotes the mental, moral, and physical development of its members. The program focuses on teaching the values of leadership, teamwork, and self-discipline, so they can live and promote a healthy, drug-free lifestyle.

Young Marines History

Since the Young Marines' humble beginnings in 1959 with one unit and a handful of boys, the organization has grown to over 200 units with over 5,000 youth and 1,950 adult volunteers in 40 states, the District of Columbia, Japan (Okinawa), and affiliates in a host of other countries. 

For more information, visit the website at https://www.YoungMarines.org.●