69th Anniversary Commemoration of the Iwo Jima Flag Raising

The 69th Anniversary Commemoration of the Iwo Jima Flag Raising at the Matthew B. Juan and Ira H. Hayes Veterans Memorial Park in Sacaton, Ariz. on Saturday, February 22, 2014. Every year, the parade continues to grow. Photos by Lucas Carter / The American Legion
A sign points the way to the Matthew B. Juan and Ira H. Hayes Veterans Memorial Park in Sacaton, Arizona, where a memorial service for Ira Hayes takes place on Friday, February 21, 2014. Photo by Lucas Carter.
A sign points the way to the Matthew B. Juan and Ira H. Hayes Veterans Memorial Park in Sacaton, Arizona, where a memorial service for Ira Hayes takes place on Friday, February 21, 2014. Photo by Lucas Carter.
Ira H. Hayes American Legion Post 84 displays the Japanese flag that was taken down before the raising of the American flag at Mt. Suribachi during the Iwo Jima flag raising at the Matthew B. Juan and Ira H. Hayes Veterans Memorial Park in Sacaton, Arizona on Friday, February 21, 2014. Photo by Lucas Carter.
Ira H. Hayes American Legion Post 84 displays the Japanese flag that was taken down before the raising of the American flag at Mt. Suribachi during the Iwo Jima flag raising at the Matthew B. Juan and Ira H. Hayes Veterans Memorial Park in Sacaton, Arizona on Friday, February 21, 2014. Photo by Lucas Carter.
A cake was presented as celebration of the anniversary of the flag raising at Mt. Suribachi on Iwo Jima. As per Marine tradition, the oldest veteran and youngest Marine were given the first two slices, as well as a female veteran. Here, Dennis Kavanaugh III (92) of Post 75 in Phoenix, Roland Enos Jr. of San Tan, Ariz., together after taking the first slices of the cake at the Ira Hayes Memorial Dinner in Sacaton, Arizona on Friday, February 21, 2014. Photo by Lucas Carter.
A cake was presented as celebration of the anniversary of the flag raising at Mt. Suribachi on Iwo Jima. As per Marine tradition, the oldest veteran and youngest Marine were given the first two slices, as well as a female veteran. Here, Dennis Kavanaugh III (92) of Post 75 in Phoenix, Roland Enos Jr. of San Tan, Ariz., together after taking the first slices of the cake at the Ira Hayes Memorial Dinner in Sacaton, Arizona on Friday, February 21, 2014. Photo by Lucas Carter.
A cake was presented as celebration of the anniversary of the flag raising at Mt. Suribachi on Iwo Jima. As per Marine tradition, the oldest veteran and youngest Marine were given the first two slices, as well as a female veteran. Here, Dennis Kavanaugh III (92) of Post 75 in Phoenix (AZ), Roland Enos Jr of San Tan, AZ together after taking the first slices of the cake at the Ira Hayes Memorial Dinner in Sacaton, Arizona on Friday, February 21, 2014. Photo by Lucas Carter.
A cake was presented as celebration of the anniversary of the flag raising at Mt. Suribachi on Iwo Jima. As per Marine tradition, the oldest veteran and youngest Marine were given the first two slices, as well as a female veteran. Here, Dennis Kavanaugh III (92) of Post 75 in Phoenix (AZ), Roland Enos Jr of San Tan, AZ together after taking the first slices of the cake at the Ira Hayes Memorial Dinner in Sacaton, Arizona on Friday, February 21, 2014. Photo by Lucas Carter.
World War II veterans watch a flyover during the 69th Anniversary Commemoration of the Iwo Jima Flag Raising at the Matthew B. Juan and Ira H. Hayes Veterans Memorial Park in Sacaton, Arizona on Saturday, February 22, 2014. Photo by Lucas Carter.
World War II veterans watch a flyover during the 69th Anniversary Commemoration of the Iwo Jima Flag Raising at the Matthew B. Juan and Ira H. Hayes Veterans Memorial Park in Sacaton, Arizona on Saturday, February 22, 2014. Photo by Lucas Carter.
A World War II veteran arrives at the parade in a classic Ford Mustang during the 69th Anniversary Commemoration of the Iwo Jima Flag Raising at the Matthew B. Juan and Ira H. Hayes Veterans Memorial Park in Sacaton, Arizona on Saturday, February 22, 2014. Photo by Lucas Carter.
A World War II veteran arrives at the parade in a classic Ford Mustang during the 69th Anniversary Commemoration of the Iwo Jima Flag Raising at the Matthew B. Juan and Ira H. Hayes Veterans Memorial Park in Sacaton, Arizona on Saturday, February 22, 2014. Photo by Lucas Carter.
Navajo Code Talker Pvt. George B. Willie Sr at the 69th Anniversary Commemoration of the Iwo Jima Flag Raising at the Matthew B. Juan and Ira H. Hayes Veterans Memorial Park in Sacaton, Arizona on Saturday, February 22, 2014. Photo by Lucas Carter.
Navajo Code Talker Pvt. George B. Willie Sr at the 69th Anniversary Commemoration of the Iwo Jima Flag Raising at the Matthew B. Juan and Ira H. Hayes Veterans Memorial Park in Sacaton, Arizona on Saturday, February 22, 2014. Photo by Lucas Carter.
Oliver Babbitts, a Legionnaire who spent 11 months on Iwo Jima, watches the parade at the 69th Anniversary Commemoration of the Iwo Jima Flag Raising at the Matthew B. Juan and Ira H. Hayes Veterans Memorial Park in Sacaton, Arizona on Saturday, February 22, 2014. Photo by Lucas Carter.
Oliver Babbitts, a Legionnaire who spent 11 months on Iwo Jima, watches the parade at the 69th Anniversary Commemoration of the Iwo Jima Flag Raising at the Matthew B. Juan and Ira H. Hayes Veterans Memorial Park in Sacaton, Arizona on Saturday, February 22, 2014. Photo by Lucas Carter.
Family members of Corporal Billy B. Farris, who was K.I.A. on Dec. 3, 2006, at the 69th Anniversary Commemoration of the Iwo Jima Flag Raising at the Matthew B. Juan and Ira H. Hayes Veterans Memorial Park in Sacaton, Arizona on Saturday, February 22, 2014. Photo by Lucas Carter.
Family members of Corporal Billy B. Farris, who was K.I.A. on Dec. 3, 2006, at the 69th Anniversary Commemoration of the Iwo Jima Flag Raising at the Matthew B. Juan and Ira H. Hayes Veterans Memorial Park in Sacaton, Arizona on Saturday, February 22, 2014. Photo by Lucas Carter.
A Native American performs a traditional dance during the parade of the 69th Anniversary Commemoration of the Iwo Jima Flag Raising at the Matthew B. Juan and Ira H. Hayes Veterans Memorial Park in Sacaton, Arizona on Saturday, February 22, 2014. Photo by Lucas Carter.
A Native American performs a traditional dance during the parade of the 69th Anniversary Commemoration of the Iwo Jima Flag Raising at the Matthew B. Juan and Ira H. Hayes Veterans Memorial Park in Sacaton, Arizona on Saturday, February 22, 2014. Photo by Lucas Carter.
The 69th Anniversary Commemoration of the Iwo Jima Flag Raising at the Matthew B. Juan and Ira H. Hayes Veterans Memorial Park in Sacaton, Arizona on Saturday, February 22, 2014. Every year, the parade continues to grow. Photo by Lucas Carter.
The 69th Anniversary Commemoration of the Iwo Jima Flag Raising at the Matthew B. Juan and Ira H. Hayes Veterans Memorial Park in Sacaton, Arizona on Saturday, February 22, 2014. Every year, the parade continues to grow. Photo by Lucas Carter.
Post 8 of Casa Grande (Ariz.) rolls in the parade during the 69th Anniversary Commemoration of the Iwo Jima Flag Raising at the Matthew B. Juan and Ira H. Hayes Veterans Memorial Park in Sacaton, Arizona on Saturday, February 22, 2014. Photo by Lucas Carter.
Post 8 of Casa Grande (Ariz.) rolls in the parade during the 69th Anniversary Commemoration of the Iwo Jima Flag Raising at the Matthew B. Juan and Ira H. Hayes Veterans Memorial Park in Sacaton, Arizona on Saturday, February 22, 2014. Photo by Lucas Carter.
World War II veterans salute the American flag during the parade of the 69th Anniversary Commemoration of the Iwo Jima Flag Raising at the Matthew B. Juan and Ira H. Hayes Veterans Memorial Park in Sacaton, Arizona on Saturday, February 22, 2014. Photo by Lucas Carter.
World War II veterans salute the American flag during the parade of the 69th Anniversary Commemoration of the Iwo Jima Flag Raising at the Matthew B. Juan and Ira H. Hayes Veterans Memorial Park in Sacaton, Arizona on Saturday, February 22, 2014. Photo by Lucas Carter.
The Air Force flag is raised during the 69th Anniversary Commemoration of the Iwo Jima Flag Raising at the Matthew B. Juan and Ira H. Hayes Veterans Memorial Park in Sacaton, Arizona on Saturday, February 22, 2014. Photo by Lucas Carter.
The Air Force flag is raised during the 69th Anniversary Commemoration of the Iwo Jima Flag Raising at the Matthew B. Juan and Ira H. Hayes Veterans Memorial Park in Sacaton, Arizona on Saturday, February 22, 2014. Photo by Lucas Carter.
Thomas Ferris (left, brother of KIA soldier Bill Ferris) and Harold Thomas, State Captain for Arizona Patriot Riders(right) embrace during the 69th Anniversary Commemoration of the Iwo Jima Flag Raising at the Matthew B. Juan and Ira H. Hayes Veterans Memorial Park in Sacaton, Arizona on Saturday, February 22, 2014. Photo by Lucas Carter.
Thomas Ferris (left, brother of KIA soldier Bill Ferris) and Harold Thomas, State Captain for Arizona Patriot Riders(right) embrace during the 69th Anniversary Commemoration of the Iwo Jima Flag Raising at the Matthew B. Juan and Ira H. Hayes Veterans Memorial Park in Sacaton, Arizona on Saturday, February 22, 2014. Photo by Lucas Carter.
Thomas Farris (left, brother of KIA soldier Bill Farris) is presented a painting of himself on a motorcycle ride with Harold Thomas, State Captain for Arizona Patriot Riders(right) during the 69th Anniversary Commemoration of the Iwo Jima Flag Raising at the Matthew B. Juan and Ira H. Hayes Veterans Memorial Park in Sacaton, Arizona on Saturday, February 22, 2014. Photo by Lucas Carter.
Thomas Farris (left, brother of KIA soldier Bill Farris) is presented a painting of himself on a motorcycle ride with Harold Thomas, State Captain for Arizona Patriot Riders(right) during the 69th Anniversary Commemoration of the Iwo Jima Flag Raising at the Matthew B. Juan and Ira H. Hayes Veterans Memorial Park in Sacaton, Arizona on Saturday, February 22, 2014. Photo by Lucas Carter.
Rex Lee, Navajo Nation Vice President, speaks at the 69th Anniversary Commemoration of the Iwo Jima Flag Raising at the Matthew B. Juan and Ira H. Hayes Veterans Memorial Park in Sacaton, Arizona on Saturday, February 22, 2014. Photo by Lucas Carter.
Rex Lee, Navajo Nation Vice President, speaks at the 69th Anniversary Commemoration of the Iwo Jima Flag Raising at the Matthew B. Juan and Ira H. Hayes Veterans Memorial Park in Sacaton, Arizona on Saturday, February 22, 2014. Photo by Lucas Carter.
A 21 gun salute is performed at the 69th Anniversary Commemoration of the Iwo Jima Flag Raising by the Post 84 of Sacaton (AZ) at the Matthew B. Juan and Ira H. Hayes Veterans Memorial Park in Sacaton, Arizona on Saturday, February 22, 2014. Photo by Lucas Carter.
A 21 gun salute is performed at the 69th Anniversary Commemoration of the Iwo Jima Flag Raising by the Post 84 of Sacaton (AZ) at the Matthew B. Juan and Ira H. Hayes Veterans Memorial Park in Sacaton, Arizona on Saturday, February 22, 2014. Photo by Lucas Carter.
A Marine veteran pays his respects to the statue of Ira Hayes at the 69th Anniversary Commemoration of the Iwo Jima Flag Raising at the Matthew B. Juan and Ira H. Hayes Veterans Memorial Park in Sacaton, Arizona on Saturday, February 22, 2014. Photo by Lucas Carter.
A Marine veteran pays his respects to the statue of Ira Hayes at the 69th Anniversary Commemoration of the Iwo Jima Flag Raising at the Matthew B. Juan and Ira H. Hayes Veterans Memorial Park in Sacaton, Arizona on Saturday, February 22, 2014. Photo by Lucas Carter.
Flowers laid at the feet of the statue in memorial to Ira Hayes at the Matthew B. Juan and Ira H. Hayes Veterans Memorial Park in Sacaton, Arizona on Friday, February 21, 2014. Photo by Lucas Carter.
Flowers laid at the feet of the statue in memorial to Ira Hayes at the Matthew B. Juan and Ira H. Hayes Veterans Memorial Park in Sacaton, Arizona on Friday, February 21, 2014. Photo by Lucas Carter.