Photograph by D Clarke Evans
Our first guest today is Veteran USMC Don Graves. He tells us his story today as a proud Marine. Donald “Don” Graves, US Marine Corps, has led an unparalleled life, serving his country, his family, and his God to the fullest every step of the way. He entered the United States Marine Corps at the age of 17 on August 17, 1942, then served two tours in the South Pacific. His 5th Marine Division served with the occupation of Japan. On February 19, 1945, his division hit the beach on Iwo Jima and secured Mount Suribachi in three days, thus the famous flag-raising on Mt. Suribachi. Over the next five weeks of heavy fighting, the island was secured, and he was discharged on January 12, 1946. Since then, Donald has been a singer and performer in Detroit and Hollywood, followed by his calling to Christian ministry as a pastor where he has worked with the federal prison system and gospel rescue missions. As a result of his distinguished military service and far-reaching ministries.
It took 4-6 months to form, then to Hilo, Hawaii. No one knew about Iwo Jima. They knew we wanted that island because we could provide air support for our bombers. One day before we got to Iwo they brought a clay model out. Here is Iwo Jima, this is where you are going to go. They went through everything. You’re going to be doing this, you’re going to be doing that. You’re going over the top, turn left, take Suribachi and then you will join the rest of your division going north. That’s what we did. The Marines made him a flame thrower at Pendleton. Don was the only flame thrower in the Second Battalion that came off. They had 335 Marines going in, only 18 came off.
He landed on February 19th at eight o’clock in the morning. He was in the Third Wave. On the beach, He knew this wasn’t going to be easy; they couldn’t move, they couldn’t get up. The kids were getting killed. Every time they would go over the top, they’d drop. Don was on the beach for at least two hours. It took them three days to get to Suribachi—540 feet. Three days, inch by inch, foot by foot. Shell hole by shell hole; you couldn’t dig a fox hole. Those shells from bombers left a beautiful hole. On the morning of the 3rd day, they finally made it to the foot and they had a grenade fight going up Suribachi, He burned out a few pillboxes. Don saw one Japanese going into a pillbox. He yelled at him. All of a sudden he came out. He had a beautiful uniform on, he had a beautiful sword. I thought this guy is going out in style. He looked at Don, he had something in his hand, then boom! He was gone; there was nothing left of him. It took them all day to climb Suribachi. The first flag went up around 10:05. (Looking at group picture) That’s Ira right there (left front sitting sideways.) That’s Bradley there (with pole coming out of head). Don was just right out of the viewpoint of the group photo. For more information go to D Clarke Evans Portfolio
Our next guest is Dr. Samuel Kim, a thoracic surgeon at Northwestern Medicine who performs COVID and non-COVID lung cancer surgeries. He will discuss the importance of this technology and the strides being made in combating lung cancer.
Dr. Kim is a general thoracic surgeon with experience in all aspects of general thoracic surgery with national-level expertise on minimally invasive thoracic surgery including robotic lobectomy/segmentectomy, robotic esophagectomy, robotic thymectomy, robot-assisted operations for benign esophageal diseases, and trachea and airway surgeries. For more information please visit www.nm.org/radio
Our last guests are Gabrielle “Gave” Flowers Rader, Lifestyle Expert, mom of two, and Bank of America Preferred Rewards member, and John Sellers, Bank of America Rewards Executive. Gabrielle Flowers Rader is a friend you probably haven’t met! As a wife and mother of two, this lifestyle influencer is spreading love, life, and laughter across the world by simply living her life on camera.
She is teaming up with John Sellers, Bank of America Rewards Executive. John Sellers is the Rewards executive at Bank of America. In this role, John oversees all rewards programs; including consumer, wealth management, and small business relationship rewards programs, and credit card rewards redemption.
They will discuss their top tips for Planning early for the Holiday season and creating rewarding holiday traditions and making new memories with friends and family this season, budgeting early to prepare for holiday spending, entertainment and gifts, strategizing a plan for holiday shopping to maximize rewards and save money. For more information go to https://www.gabefixfitness.com/about-gabe or www.bankofamericarewards.com