Iwo Jima Memorial in Washington D.C. Gets Much Needed Repairs

The Memorial to honor the United States Marine Corps in Washington D.C. is breathtaking but in need of repairs. Those repairs have now been funded and will start immediately.

A donation over $5 million dollars was given by philanthropist David Rubenstein to make some much needed repairs to the Memorial built to honor our United States Marine Corps.

Iwo Jima was one of the most brutal battles in our country's history," he said. "Whenever something is restored or made better, it tends to attract more visitors. When you attract more visitors, more people learn about history and about the things that led to the memorial."

Rubenstein's Father was a Marine who served in the Pacific during World War II. His father lived an honorable but meager life as a clerk for the United States Postal service and passed away in 2013 at the age of 85.

As far as the memorial itself is concerned, park officials say it's structurally sound, but Mother Nature has begun to take her toll on the sculpture. Plans are to polish the granite base and to replace or fix the surroundings including concrete and asphalt work.

The most noticeable process of the restoration will be to bring back the original color of the bronze masterpiece.

The massive undertaking will begin this Summer but it could take up to 2 years before everything is complete. The memorial will remain open to the public and get this, Congress is being asked to add restrooms at the memorial in the coming years so we don't have to use those nasty porta-potties.

David Rubenstein has also made substantial donations to help restore the Washington Monument, expand the Kennedy Center and to improve other historic sites.