After two years Joe Caminiti, 100-year-old Iwo Jima survivor, met another survivor from Connecticut. Joe attended the 80th Anniversary Flag-Raising Remembrance at the CCSU campus on the morning of Feb. 22, 2025. The event was put together by the Iwo Jima Memorial Historical Foundation, Inc.
Mr. Caminiti and Mr. Senick were honored as being on Iwo Jima when the flag was raised. They are the last known Iwo Jima survivors in Connecticut.
Caminiti is a member of American Legion Post 2, the Marine Corps League, the Third Marine Division Association and the Iwo Jima Association of America - which happens to be working to send Joe to Iwo Jima in March to help remember those lost during the battle. Joe is also a member of the Connecticut. wo Jima Survivor’s Association. Joe was accompanied by fellow Post 2 members Post Historian Neal Supranovich and John Lodovico.
The master of ceremonies was Mayor Erin Stewart of New Britain. The mayor of Newington was also in attendance.
Members of the Marine Corps League from across the state were present to honor the two living Iwo Jima survivors along with all those who fought on Iwo Jima and are no longer with us.
The welcoming remarks were given by CCSU President Zulma R. Toro.
The colors were presented by the Newington Volunteer Fire Department.
The nephew of Dr. George Gentile, the man behind the creation of the Iwo Jima Survivor’s Monument, Mark Gentile, talked about his uncle and the founding of the Iwo Jima Association that built the monument.
Connecticut VA Commissioner Ron Welch talked about veterans. Guest speaker Brig. Gen. Omar Randall, USMC, talked about Iwo Jima. Congresswoman Johanna Hayes and Sen. Richard Blumenthal were present. They said a few words at the event.
A number of times, Mr. Caminiti and Mr. Senick were mentioned in the speeches; afterward all those there stood and clapped for them.
The names of the 100 from Connecticut who were killed in the Battle of Iwo Jima were read and a picture of each was shown on the large screen. The names were said; a bell rung out for each. This was followed by taps from the Hardware City Marine Corps League.
Mr. Caminiti and Mr. Senich, with help from Brig. Gen. Randall, placed the wreath.