To the editor:

Recently, my brother, a Marine Corps veteran of, among other invasions, Okinawa, and another Marine Corps veteran and our significant others attended the movie “Borat” because my brother was still reading “Flags of Our Fathers” and wanted to finish the book before seeing the movie.

I could not believe that the following week, after a very short run, “Flags of Our Fathers” was no longer showing. I reflected back on my thoughts as I sat through “Borat.” I expect the average age of those in attendance was under 30. I wondered how many of those in attendance had a clue about the significance of Iwo Jima, which was closely followed by Okinawa. I am becoming increasingly disturbed by the lack of knowledge about our history as displayed by the younger generation.

I wonder what is being taught in American history and I wonder why such a significant movie as “Flags of Our Fathers” was at our local theater for such a short time. World War II was the last war our troops have fought to protect our country and it seems to have become the forgotten war by so many. It is unfortunate that all I can do about it is to write a letter to the editor. Perhaps our high schools will make “Flags of Our Fathers” mandatory reading in the classes on American history.

Jerry Levy,

Lawrence