Marine Corps Memorial to be restored after $5.4M donation

Jonathan Jarvis, director of the National Park Service, right, points out some items that are planned for improvement at the U.S. Marine Corps War Memorial, in Arlington, Va., Wednesday, April 29, 2015, with David Rubenstein, left, a businessman and philanthropist whose gift of $5.37 million will go toward a newly announced restoration project at the memorial, the sculpture of which was inspired by the U.S. battle at Iwo Jima. The famous bronze U.S. Marine Corps War Memorial overlooking Washington that depicts Marines raising the American flag at Iwo Jima during World War II has begun turning green with age but now will be restored with a $5.37 million gift. Philanthropist David Rubenstein announced Wednesday that he will give the National Park Foundation the funds needed to wash, wax and restore the memorial and its plaza and landscaping. Improvements are also planned for the memorial's signage and access for handicapped visitors. The project will also restore the memorial's engravings to be much brighter. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin) Jonathan Jarvis, director of the National Park Service, right, points out some items that are planned for improvement at the U.S. Marine Corps War Memorial, in Arlington, Va., Wednesday, April 29, 2015, with David Rubenstein, left, a businessman and philanthropist whose gift of $5.37 million will go toward a newly announced restoration project at the memorial, the sculpture of which was inspired by the U.S. battle at Iwo Jima. The famous bronze U.S. Marine Corps War Memorial overlooking Washington that depicts Marines raising the American flag at Iwo Jima during World War II has begun turning green with age but now will be restored with a $5.37 million gift. Philanthropist David Rubenstein announced Wednesday that he will give the National Park Foundation the funds needed to wash, wax and restore the memorial and its plaza and landscaping. Improvements are also planned for the memorial's signage and access for handicapped visitors. The project will also restore the memorial's engravings to be much brighter. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin)

By Associated Press April 29, 2015 4 min read

ARLINGTON, Va. (AP) – The famous bronze U.S. Marine Corps War Memorial overlooking Washington that depicts Marines raising the American flag at Iwo Jima during World War II has begun turning green with age but now will be restored with a $5.37 million gift.

Philanthropist David Rubenstein announced Wednesday that he will give the National Park Foundation the funds needed to wash, wax and restore the memorial and refurbish its plaza and landscaping. Improvements are also planned for the memorial’s signage and access for visitors. The project will also restore the memorial’s engravings to be much brighter.

The 61-year-old memorial honors all who have given their lives in the U.S. Marine Corps. It depicts a famous incident of World War II after a bloody battle when the Americans moved to capture the island of Iwo Jima to help bring the war to an end. The monument’s depiction was inspired by a Pulitzer Prize-winning photograph by Associated Press photographer Joe Rosenthal.

The restoration effort will be the first comprehensive refurbishment of the memorial since it was dedicated by President Dwight D. Eisenhower in 1954, though it has had routine maintenance over the years, said National Park Service Director Jonathan Jarvis.

David Rubenstein has built a fortune as co-founder of The Carlyle Group investment firm and has become a leading philanthropist in Washington, making multimillion-dollar gifts to restore the Washington Monument, expand the Kennedy Center and to improve historic sites.