On March 10, 2024, The American Legion Post 2 hosted its second Iwo Jima / World War Veterans Reunion at the Bristol Public Library. Five World War II veterans were present. One Iwo Jima survivor, three Navy and one Coast Guard veteran. The youngest is 98.
An award from Congressman Larson's office was presented to Joe Caminiti by the mayor of Bristol. State Representatives Joe Hoxha and Mary Fortier presented Letters of Thank You, signed by themselves along with Representative Cara Pavalock D’Amoto and Henri Martin to all five veterans.
Elks Lodge 1010 announced that Joe Caminiti was to be honored at this year’s Flag Day Ceremony to be held in June. They also made a presentation of a signed book. Joe plans to donate the book to the Memorial Military Museum in memory of Iwo Jima.
The artist, Don Scott, who painted Joe Caminiti and Thomas Begay, was present with both paintings. He also did a presentation. In addition to showing his paintings, he informed those in attendance about some interesting history.
The Marine Corps League started off the ceremony at the library with the Pledge of Allegiance. Dick Fitz, a World War II Navy veteran, said a prayer he had prayed many times throughout the war.
The names of C. Company 169, Bristol’s own, was presented to the Bristol Library by American Legion Honor Guard Commander Bob Coffee. Bob is the son of the first Sergeant of C Company 169 when they were federalized.
There were displays by the World War II Legacy Foundation and the Memorial Military Museum. The highlight of the displays was a flag. This flag was raised in 2005 over the island of Iwo Jima. In 2006, it was presented to Joe Caminiti aboard the USS Iwo Jima. It was used by the Gold Star Family Memorial Monument. It was then returned to Joe who flew the flag at the American Legion Post 2 in honor of fellow veterans and those lost on Iwo Jima. The flag was folded by the Legion honor guard and presented to the Memorial Military Museum.
The event ended by reading the name of the 100 from Connecticut who lost their lives in battle. Four of the names read were from Bristol.