Embassy Events
Ambassador Obsitnik Honors Slovak-American World War II Hero in the Town of his Birth
September 30, 2008
A years-long effort culminated on September 26 when Ambassador Vincent Obsitnik presented a copy of Sergeant Michael Strank's certificate of U.S. citizenship to his home town of Jarabina. During the battle for Iwo Jima, Sgt. Strank led the platoon that planted the flag on Mount Suribachi. The moment was captured forever by photographer Joe Rosenthal and became an inspiration for Americans as the image epitomizing the spirit of the U.S. Marines Corps. The Embassy obtained a certified copy of the certificate, which Ambassador Vincent Obsitnik and Marine Security Guards, Gunnery Sergeant Matt Blais and Sergeant Alfred Burgos presented, in person, to Mikuláš Kaňa, mayor of Jarabina, Michael Strank’s birthplace. During the ceremony, Mayor Kaňa spoke of what Sgt. Strank did on Iwo Jima and of the excellent ties between the United States and Slovakia. In celebration of the event, Jarabina’s women's choir, Poliana, sang for the gathered crowd. The celebration continued in the town cultural center under a portrait of Sergeant Strank and a painting depicting the flag raising on Iwo Jima, culminating with Ambassador Obsitnik and townspeople toasting each other’s health and singing traditional Slovak songs.