On Feb. 28, 2021, an American flag was raised at American Legion Post 2 in Bristol, Conn. Joe Caminiti, a Iwo Jima survivor, raised a flag he received at the 61st Iwo Jima Survivor National Reunion. It was one of 200 flags given by the U.S. Navy to Iwo Jima survivors from across the nation who attended the reunion aboard USS Iwo Jima in Norfolk, Va., the year of the 61st survivor reunion. This event was part of the Iwo Jima 76th Anniversary Virtual Reunion for 2021.

At the American Legion membership meeting on April 13, the flag was folded by Dave Connelly and Tim Gamache, both members of the Post 2 honor guard. The flag was presented to the Jack Denehy Memorial Military Museum. Mike Thomas and Bob Barnet from the museum were on hand to receive the flag.

As stated by Post 2 Commander Darren Pearson at the event, “This flag has flown for 30 days in honor of those who fought and those who died on Iwo Jima. It flew for those who never made it home. It flew in honor and memory of all World War II veterans. Once ready, please present it to the members of the Jack Denehy Memorial Military Museum where it will remain in memory of our World War II veterans in a place of honor.”

The event was closed to the public.