Iwo Jima Flag Run honors military at Palo Duro Canyon

Michael Cuviello, Amarillo Globe-News
·1 min read

Thirteen teams of four to seven people from across the Amarillo area, including multiple wrestling teams, took on the challenge of the fifth annual Iwo Jima Flag Run to honor all veterans as they commemorate one of the most iconic battles of World War II. The event was hosted Saturday at Palo Duro Canyon.

A group of wrestlers run up the trail Saturday morning at the Iwo Jima Flag Run at Palo Duro Canyon.
A group of wrestlers run up the trail Saturday morning at the Iwo Jima Flag Run at Palo Duro Canyon.
A team works its way through the CCC trail Saturday morning at the Iwo Jima Flag Run at Palo Duro Canyon.
A team works its way through the CCC trail Saturday morning at the Iwo Jima Flag Run at Palo Duro Canyon.
A flag bearer leads her team up the trail Saturday morning during the Iwo Jima Flag Run at Palo Duro Canyon.
A flag bearer leads her team up the trail Saturday morning during the Iwo Jima Flag Run at Palo Duro Canyon.
The first team of high school wrestlers push through the final leg of the Iwo Jima Flag Run Saturday at Palo Duro Canyon.
The first team of high school wrestlers push through the final leg of the Iwo Jima Flag Run Saturday at Palo Duro Canyon.

The course of the flag run is approximately the same distance that the soldiers climbed in that battle to raise the flag. Johnny Cobb, who organized the original event with Jack Barnes, started the event as a tribute to his father, who served in World War II. Cobb is a member of the National Wrestling Hall of Fame and is renowned in the Panhandle for his coaching in the sport.

Cobb said he does the event to bridge the gap between generations on the sacrifices that military members have given for the country.

Organizer Johnny Cobb gets teams organized Saturday morning at the Iwo Jima Flag Run at Palo Duro Canyon.
Organizer Johnny Cobb gets teams organized Saturday morning at the Iwo Jima Flag Run at Palo Duro Canyon.
A team makes its way to down the trail Saturday morning at the Iwo Jima Flag Run at Palo Duro Canyon.
A team makes its way to down the trail Saturday morning at the Iwo Jima Flag Run at Palo Duro Canyon.
A young runner leads his team up the trail with a flag Saturday morning at the Iwo Jima Flag Run at Palo Duro Canyon.
A young runner leads his team up the trail with a flag Saturday morning at the Iwo Jima Flag Run at Palo Duro Canyon.

"I just want to educate this younger generation on the many sacrifices of all military members for this country," Cobb said. "This is an honor run that honors all of our military. We get a lot of participation from wrestling teams in the area every year. It is a challenging event that is really fun and gives them a sense of pride about our military and country."

Retired Army Major Doug Messer leads his team up the trail Saturday morning at the Iwo Jima Flag Run at Palo Duro Canyon.
Retired Army Major Doug Messer leads his team up the trail Saturday morning at the Iwo Jima Flag Run at Palo Duro Canyon.
A team of high school wrestlers finish as a group at the Iwo Jima Flag Run Saturday at Palo Duro Canyon.
A team of high school wrestlers finish as a group at the Iwo Jima Flag Run Saturday at Palo Duro Canyon.
A seasoned team and their faithful companion make their way up the trail Saturday morning at the Iwo Jima Flag Run at Palo Duro Canyon.
A seasoned team and their faithful companion make their way up the trail Saturday morning at the Iwo Jima Flag Run at Palo Duro Canyon.

This article originally appeared on Amarillo Globe-News: Iwo Jima Flag Run honors military at Palo Duro Canyon