Corps Daily News
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Marines Commemorate 64th Anniversary of Battle of Iwo JimaEvery year on February 23, Marines recall the 36-day battle fought on the small Japanese island of Iwo Jima to gain control of a strategically important airfield in 1945. This year Marines gathered at the Marine Corps Memorial in Arlington, Va., to remember the Battle of Iwo Jima and to recognize the purpose of the memorial: to honor all Marines who have given their lives in the defense of the United States since 1775. The event brought together Marine veterans, including nine Marines who fought on Iwo Jima, Marines from Headquarters Battalion, Headquarters, U.S. Marine Corps, Henderson Hall, Va., members of the United States Marine Corps Flag Detail, Inc. (also known as “Iwo Flags”), rangers from the National Park Service, members of the Young Marines program and friends of Marines. The commemoration ceremony included replacement of the flag on the memorial, a speech honoring Marines who fought on Iwo Jima and those who fight today by Colonel William K. Lietzau, Commanding Officer, Headquarters Bn, HQMC, and the presentation of a wreath by The United States Marine Corps War Memorial Flag Detail, Inc., organization. Leatherneck would like to thank Sergeant Michael S. Cifuentes, editor of Marine Corps News, whose photos are among those included. For more information about The United States Marine Corps War Memorial Flag Detail, Inc. (“Iwo Flags”), visit www.iwoflags.com, or contact The USMC War Memorial Flag Detail, PO Box 75, Waynesboro, Virginia 22980-2727.      
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SEE VIDEO FROM THE ANNIVERSARY |
 (Photo by Sgt Michael S. Cifuentes) | ||
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 Jon James, Deputy Superintendent, George Washington Memorial Parkway, welcomed the audience to the commemoration ceremony. Park Service representatives greeted attendees with informational brochures about the Marine Corps War Memorial, which the National Park Service oversees. (Photo by Sgt Michael S. Cifuentes) | ||
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 (From left) Col and Mrs. William K. Lietzau, Medal of Honor Marine Col Harvey C. “Barney” Barnum, USMC (Ret), Benjamin Alfano, John Boes, Col John B. Donovan, USMC (Ret), Joseph Westner, Maj Norman T. Hatch, USMC (Ret), James Wheeler and Tom Cox stand during the ceremony. (Photo by Sgt Michael S. Cifuentes) | ||
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 Iwo Jima veteran Benjamin Alfano (far end of the wreath layers) joined members of The United States Marine Corps Flag Detail, Inc. from his left, John Boes (brown coat), Col John B. Donovan, USMC (Ret), Maj Norman T. Hatch, USMC (Ret), and Joseph Westner as they presented a wreath commemorating those who gave their lives during the Battle of Iwo Jima. Other members of the organization, present but not pictured, are Richard Doyle and James P. Donovan. (Photo by Mary D. Karcher) | ||
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 Nine Marine veterans who served on Iwo Jima attended the ceremony: (from left) Major Norman T. Hatch, Tom Cox, James Wheeler, Benjamin Alfano, Capt Cyril O’Brien, USMC (Ret), Gordon Ward, Tom Miller, Jack Colby and Morris Semiatin. (Photo by Mary D. Karcher) | ||
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 Former Marine and longstanding National Park volunteer Larry Ward (right) greeted retired Maj Norman T. Hatch after the ceremony. (Photo by Sgt Michael S. Cifuentes) | ||
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 Col William K. Lietzau enjoyed the stories told by Gordon Ward (center) and Jack Colby after the ceremony. (Photo by Sgt Michael S. Cifuentes) | ||
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 Iwo Jima veteran Capt Cyril O’Brien, USMC (Ret) (left) was greeted by those who attended the ceremony, including Medal of Honor Marine Col Harvey C. “Barney” Barnum, USMC (Ret). (Photo by Sgt Michael S. Cifuentes) | ||
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