The men were not alone after the 65th Reunion of Honor commemoration, as 25 other American Iwo Jima veterans, also made the trip to the iconic island and up the hill to the memorial.

The memorial marks the precise spot the American flag was raised by 2nd Battalion, 28th Marine Regiment, 5th Marine Division Feb. 23, 1945. 

When coming here with veterans who fought with him 65 years ago, Cyril O’Brien, a combat correspondent who served on Iwo Jima, Bougainville and Guam, feels a strong sense of camaraderie and brotherhood. He says Iwo Jima is very significant to him because of the ferocity of the battle and because of the friends he lost there.

The Marines seemed to remember every bit of the island as they shared stories and thoughts about the opportunity to come together again and remember.

“They’re all just such nice guys,” said Hugh “Tony” Cumming, Iwo Jima survivor and mortarman with 1st Bn., 9th Marine Regiment, 3rd Marine Division, of the other veterans.

“We’re all the same people on the inside, you know, once a Marine, always a Marine, except now we’re old,” he said laughing as he watched the waves roll in on the black sands.

Gathered as one in a display of their relationship, the U.S. and Japanese forces came together to commemorate one of the most significant battles for Marines in World War II. 

Sixty-five years earlier their bravery and ferocity was recognized by leaders from both sides as they praised their men as the battle raged on.

“The battle is approaching its end. Since the enemy landing, even the gods would weep at the bravery of the officers and men under my command,” Lt. Gen. Tadamichi Kuribayashi, commander of the Japanese garrison forces on Iwo Jima during the battle said.

“Among the men who fought on Iwo Jima, uncommon valor was a common virtue," said U.S. Navy Fleet Admiral Chester W. Nimitz, March 16, 1945, of the American warriors.

In the end the two countries became allies in defense of the Asia-Pacific Region and share many common goals for the future.

“We were once relentless enemies on this very island, fighting each other and the unforgiving terrain in defense of our separate countries. But now, we are working together to defend the world against ruthless adversaries,” said Commandant of the Marine Corps Gen. James T. Conway in a message to those at the commemoration.

The veterans unanimously agreed the island now has a drastically different look, however their memories of that time and place have not faded. It was evident the chance to come back and pass on their legacy meant the most to the veterans as active duty Marines listened to their stories in awe.

As 11 veterans stood atop the mountain in a makeshift formation, a wheelchair-bound former Maj. Robert White, who served as an artillery liaison during the battle, began muttering words which turned into a booming voice, words that everyone around seemed to know. Before he got past the first sentence everyone atop the mountain seemed to be standing at attention, singing. “From the halls of Montezuma...”