"This is the only way that we know how to remember our fallen brothers," said retired Gunnery Sgt. Damaso H. Situs, an Iwo Jima veteran who served with the 3rd Service Battalion, Service and Support Company, 3rd Marine Division. "The base really just opens its doors and provides all the assets we need. It just really means a lot to us to have the opportunity to do this every year."

The banquet began with a sunset memorial facing the Pacific Ocean. Iwo Jima survivors, fired a three-round volley, played Taps and placed a wreath on a memorial. Just before dinner was served, a living statue of the flag-raising on Iwo Jima was unveiled. 

Many prominent Marines were in attendance, including Lt. Gen. Samuel Helland, the Commanding General of I Marine Expeditionary Force, and Gen. James N. Mattis, the United States Joint Forces commander and the Supreme Allied Commander for Transformation for the North Atlantic Treaty Organization. Col. James B. Seaton III also attended the event.

"Nothing is tougher than what they went through on the sands of Iwo," Mattis said, the guest of honor for the ceremony. "Their bravery just shows us that if we can take Iwo Jima, we can take anything." For some, the ceremony brought back many memories and had a deeper meaning.

"I lost my father and my uncle on Iwo," said retired Sgt. Maj. Bill E. Paxton, who served as the Headquarters Battalion, Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton sergeant major. "That's when I made up my mind that I wanted to become a Marine. I wanted to be like them and honor their memory."