On Feb. 12, two members of American Legion Post 2 - Joe Caminiti, 100-year-old World War II veteran and Iwo Jima survivor, along with Dick Fitz, 99-year-old World War II veteran and member of the Navy Arm Guard - were honored, along with another World War II veteran from the World War II Legacy Foundation at the Southington (Conn.) Mission BBQ.
The three, with family and friends in tow, were invited to Mission BBQ’s daily noon Veteran Salute. They began by singing the national anthem. Next, the three were introduced to the customers by the Mission BBQ staff, followed by employees serving meals of their choice.
The three veterans talked about their times in service.
Arrangements were made to hold another Noon salute on Feb. 19, set up to honor Iwo Jima survivors such as Caminiti. Feb. 19 is National Iwo Jima Remembrance Day.
On Feb. 22 Joe will be part of a CCSU flag-raising ceremony to remember the day the US. flag was raised on Iwo Jima during World War II. He has been asked to travel to the island to take part in a ceremony to honor those who fought on Iwo Jima. The ceremony will take place with the Japanese government. If all goes well, Joe will be leaving on March 24 for Guam and then on to Iwo Jima on March 29.