U.S. veterans return to Iwo Jima for 70th anniversary

Absolutely a great article and thanks for sharing SGT Jim Z.! I think it is wonderful that we had a Medal of Honor recipient in attendance! And what he said was so good, I am sharing it here, below!

"The only surviving Medal of Honor recipient from Iwo Jima, Hershel "Woody" Williams, 91, attended the ceremony. Afterward, he said his feelings toward the Japanese had not changed in the decades since the battle.

"They were just doing their jobs, just like we were," he said. "We tried to kill them before they could kill us. But that's war.""

I've actually been to Iwo Jima; twice. It was really cool, what little of the island I was actually able to see. I went TAD both times in support of CVW-5 for their day and night carrier quals. I was able to climb Mt. Suribachi to see where both American flags had been planted. I also went tunnel exploring. I didn't make it to the LZ because I just didn't have the time to walk all the way there from where the air strip is on the island.

I didn't know the day that the Iwo Jima battle started. I was looking for a movie to watch, and decided to watch letter from Iwo Jima. Then received in the middle of the movie from Navy History and Heritage command that it was the 70th anniversary. I am in awe of the brave men on both sides which fought for that piece of dirt. The only thing to say is Thank You for your sacrifice.