Different Wars, Important Pictures.

(Via Instapundit.)

Perhaps the most iconic photo of the war in the Pacific:

Compare it to this image that won’t see the front page of any newspaper, major or minor, in the U.S. (but should – along with the story behind it):

Both, I think, mark a crucial turning point in their respective wars. The Iwo Jima photo was responsible for a resurgence of support for the war in the Pacific after more than three years of war, rationing, shortages at home, and an endless stream of Western Union telegrams. The battle for Iwo Jima lasted from February 19 to the end of March, 1945. In less than two months U.S. forces lost 6,825 killed and over 20,000 wounded on that tiny island alone.

We’ve been at war in Iraq for not yet five years. Current U.S. casualties are 3,857 dead and some 28,000 wounded.

Will this photo inspire America to continue its support for the war? Maybe, if it receives circulation. But that doesn’t fit the template of today’s media, so most probably it won’t. Besides, America’s military is at war. The American public is at the mall, worrying about gas prices and the falling stock market, and what they’ll be buying for Christmas.

UPDATE: As Instapundit notes, it beats the hell out of comparing it to this photo:

Something we thought might be imminent not too long ago:

(Click for full size)