Joe Caminiti, Iwo Jima survivor and member of Post 2, at 100 traveled with seven other Iwo Jima survivors to the island of Iwo Jima. Their ages ranged from 98 to 102. Joe was one of two from the whole East Coast.
They traveled to Guam, and next on to Iwo Jima on March 29 for one day. There they took part with the Japanese government to honor both the American and Japanese who lost their lives during the battle for the Island.
Joe placed one of three wreaths on behalf of the United States on the "Reunion of Honor." He was able to walk the sands where he landed Marines. but due to heavy vegetation, he was unable to stand on the exact spot where he witnessed the raising of the flag that day.
On Guam, Joe was asked to attend a banquet hosted by the Iwo Jima Association of America. Joe was joined by Rear Adm. Brent DeVore, commander of Naval Forces, Marianas; RADM Greg Huffman, commander, Micronesia Joint Task Force; Col. Ernest Gover, USMC commander, Camp Blaz; The Hon. Susumu Ueda, Consulate General of Japan at Hagatna; Vice Cmdr. Yumi Sasada; and Shan Anderson, U.S. Attorney, Districts of Guam & Northern Marianas.
At the banquet, Joe was informed by the governor of Guam that Joe held the title of "Guam Liberator" for his part in freeing the people of Guam when the Japanese invaded. He also sat at the head table with the admiral and governor.
Joe traveled halfway around the world to attend the Reunion of Honor, a ceremony to help heal the hatred between the United States and Japan. Joe had the honor of placing a wreath on the Reunion of Honor Monument at the ceremony. The prime minister of Japan oversaw the ceremony along with other members of the Japanese government.
Joe was the only American Legion member east of the Mississippi River who attended. It is believed he was the only Iwo Jima survivor who was a member to attend.