Today, members of the New Britain, Connecticut, Marine Corps League met at the flagpole in front of the American Legion, Post 2 in Bristol to present Joe Caminiti, Iwo Jima Survivor, a Marine Corps jacket. Joe turns 100 later this year.

Caminiti presented a book given to him by the ELK Lodge 1010 on March 10, 2024, to the Memorial Military Museum that contained the names and story about the 100 who died on Iwo Jima from Connecticut. Some of the individuals in the book were people whose bodies Joe had transported from the front to the beach for burial.

Next, the group moved inside Post 2 with the Mayor of Bristol. The names of the four from Bristol were read by members of the Bristol Memorial Military Museum. Turns out, Joe happens to know three of the four from Bristol.

A toast was made in memory of all those on Iwo Jima. Followed by a military toast in honor of Joe Caminiti.

Those in attendance talked about their military training and service covering World War II through Vietnam. They compared their days in boot camp and how it changed over the years.

All are planning to meet up on June 9, when the local ELK Lodge 1010 plans to honor Joe on their Flag Day for his being on Iwo Jima and witnessing the raising of the American flag from the airfield.