Dozens of aging U.S. veterans, many in their early 90s and some in wheelchairs, gathered on the tiny, barren island of Iwo Jima on Saturday to mark the 70th anniversary of one of the bloodiest and most iconic battles of World War II. (March 21)
1. US war veterans and Navy Secretary Ray Mabus laying wreath
2. Close of flowers
3. SOUNDBITE (English) Ray Mabus, United States Secretary of the Navy:
"Rising from the inferno of Iwo Jima our partnership developed in a wake of war and has grown ever stronger in the years since. Today the Unites States and Japan are interdependent. They have cooperation from everything from international security to free trade. We depend on one another so that each nation may live in peace and prosperity. America and Japan stand together today as sailors, marines, soldiers airmen, as nations and as friends."
4. Various of veterans, military and officials listening
5. SOUNDBITE (English) Ray Mabus, United States Secretary of the Navy:
"As partners we will face together whatever challenges the future brings, but we will never forget the lessons of our past. To overcome trying times we will invoke the character traits demonstrated by the battle for Iwo Jima - honor, courage, sacrifice."
A remembrance ceremony was held on the Japanese island of Iwo Jima on Saturday to mark the 70th anniversary of one of the Second World War's bloodiest battles.
Dozens of US veterans, now in their 80s and 90s as well as US and Japanese officials flew to the island, where the US invasion began on 19 February 1945, and lasted 36 days.
The battle claimed 6,821 American and 21,570 Japanese lives.
Speaking at the ceremony, Ray Mabus, United States Secretary of the Navy said the "inferno of Iwo Jima" brought the two nations together.
"Our partnership developed in a wake of war and has grown ever stronger in the years since. Today the Unites States and Japan are inter dependent - they have cooperation from everything from international security to free trade. We depend on one another so that each nation may live in peace and prosperity," said Mabus.
Japanese Defense Minister Gen Nakatani pledged to work hard to strengthen the US-Japan alliance which is "based on the sacrifice of those who perished" on Iwo Jima.
