An exhibit at the National Museum of the Marine Corps in Triangle, Va., on Feb. 20, 2015. (Meredith Tibbetts/Stars and Stripes)
An exhibit at the National Museum of the Marine Corps in Triangle, Va., on Feb. 20, 2015. (Meredith Tibbetts/Stars and Stripes)
Medal of Honor recipient Hershel Williams speaks to a visitor at the National Museum of the Marine Corps on Feb. 20, 2015. Williams was there with the 70th Anniversary of the Battle of Iwo Jima reunion. (Meredith Tibbetts/Stars and Stripes)
Medal of Honor recipient Hershel Williams speaks to active duty Marine at the National Museum of the Marine Corps on Feb. 20, 2015. Williams was there with the 70th Anniversary of the Battle of Iwo Jima reunion. (Meredith Tibbetts/Stars and Stripes)
ctive duty Marines listen to Retired Lt. General Larry Snowden as he recalls his time in the Marines and fighting in World War II at Iwo Jima. (Meredith Tibbetts/Stars and Stripes)
A Marine veteran with the 70th Anniversary of the Battle of Iwo Jima visits the National Museum of the Marine Corps on Feb. 20, 2015 (Meredith Tibbetts/Stars and Stripes)
Marines visit the National Museum of the Marine Corps on Feb. 20, 2015. (Meredith Tibbetts/Stars and Stripes)
Marines eat lunch at the cafeteria at the National Museum of the Marine Corps on Feb. 20, 2015. (Meredith Tibbetts/Stars and Stripes)
Marine veterans with the 70th Anniversary of the Battle of Iwo Jima visit the National Museum of the Marine Corps on Feb. 20, 2015. (Meredith Tibbetts/Stars and Stripes)
Marine veterans with the 70th Anniversary of the Battle of Iwo Jima visit the National Museum of the Marine Corps on Feb. 20, 2015. (Meredith Tibbetts/Stars and Stripes)
Marine veterans with the 70th Anniversary of the Battle of Iwo Jima visit the National Museum of the Marine Corps on Feb. 20, 2015. (Meredith Tibbetts/Stars and Stripes)
Guests tour the National Museum of the Marine Corps on Feb. 20, 2015. Their images are reflected in glass. (Meredith Tibbetts/Stars and Stripes)
Two Marines with the 70th Anniversary of the Battle of Iwo Jima reunion talk to two curators at the National Museum of the Marine Corps on Feb. 20, 2015. (Meredith Tibbetts/Stars and Stripes)
Donald Mates and James Skinner, both from Fla. and part of the 3rd Marine Division, take a break after touring the National Museum of the Marine Corps on Feb. 20, 2015. Mates was in the Marines from 1943-1946 and Skinner was in the Marines from 1942-1945. (Meredith Tibbetts/Stars and Stripes)
Retired Marine George Boutwell, from Alabama, was enjoying his morning at the National Museum of the Marine Corps while participating in the 70th Anniversary of the Battle of Iwo Jima reunion on Feb. 20, 2015. Boutwell arrived four days after the battle began. (Meredith Tibbetts/Stars and Stripes)
Active duty Marines listen to Retired Lt. General Larry Snowden as he recalls his time in the Marines and fighting in World War II at Iwo Jima. (Meredith Tibbetts/Stars and Stripes)
TRIANGLE, Va. — Marine Corps veterans of the Battle of Iwo Jima gathered at the National Museum of the Marine Corps on Friday, Feb. 20, 2015, as part of ceremonies marking the 70th anniversary.
They toured the museum, which opened November 2006, throughout the morning. Retired Lt. Gen. Larry Snowden was among the guests, as well Medal of Honor recipient Hershel Williams. Several of the veterans shared their stories from the war with younger Marines. Many of the active duty Marines approached the veterans enthusiastically, asking about their experiences.