Once a year the Japanese government has hosted a "Reunion of Honor" bringing together dignitaries from both the United States and Japan to honor those Veterans who had given their last full measure during this historic battle. The Japanese have indicated that this year, the 70th anniversary, will be the last gathering for our Iwo Jima Veterans and their descendants to visit the island.  In this spirit, funds are being raised to send as many Veterans back as are physically able to make the trip.  The family of Major William A. Wood, XO, 1/28 during the battle, has donated a copy of a signed Joe Rosenthal photo of the flag raising that Major Wood passed around for a signature by hundreds of Marines just after D+5.  This framed full size copy of  the flag raising with Joe Rosenthal's signature and those of hundreds of warriors of the 28th Marines will be auctioned in January, 2015.  The proceeds will help fund the Veterans' return to Iwo.  Follow the details of the auction at 

http://www.metroplexmarines.org/LastReturnToIwo and pass the word!