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New York City residents joined Marines with 1st Battalion, 6th Marine Regiment in a more physical training session as a part of Marine Day at Bryant Park, New York City, May 21, 2015. Marines with Special-Purpose Marine Air Ground Task Force-New York showcase the capabilities of the Marine Corps both physically, mentally and technologically during Fleet Week New York. Fleet Week is an annual event that provides New York and surrounding area a chance to see the sea services capabilities.

Photo by Cpl. Justin Updegraff

Rachel Roller (left) and Mary Riley, both from Long Valley, N.J., pose with an M-249 squad automatic weapon and an M4 assault rifle during Marine Day at Bryant Park, New York City, May 21, 2015. Marines with Special-Purpose Marine Air Ground Task Force-New York showcase the capabilities of the Marine Corps both physically, mentally and technologically during Fleet Week New York. Fleet Week is an annual event that provides New York and surrounding area a chance to see the sea services capabilities.

Photo by Cpl. Justin Updegraff

Marines with 2nd Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion arrive to put their Light Armored Vehicle on display for the public to look at as a part of Marine Day at Bryant Park, New York City, May 21, 2015. Marines with Special-Purpose Marine Air Ground Task Force-New York showcase the capabilities of the Marine Corps both physically, mentally and technologically during Fleet Week New York. Fleet Week is an annual event that provides New York and surrounding area a chance to see the sea services capabilities.

Photo by Cpl. Justin Updegraff

Retired U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. Arthur T. Ballard shows the cup and spoon he used for six and a half years as a prisoner of war in the infamous Hoa Lo prison, aka the "Hanoi Hilton". Ballard, an F-105 fighter pilot with 68 combat missions under his belt, was shot down and captured on Sept. 26, 1966. "I think it was small arms fire, maybe 32 or 57 millimeter. The sky just filled up with that stuff. I don't remember a whole lot about the bailout. I woke up on the ground with a broken leg, and a rifle stuck in my face." He was finally released on March 4, 1973.

Photo by Sgt. Ken Scar

Retired U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. Arthur Ballard holds a POW/MIA bracelet that was worn in his memory for six and a half years while he was a prisoner of war in the infamous Hoa Lo prison, aka the "Hanoi Hilton". More than five million of the bracelets were distributed in the early 1970's as part of a campaign to keep the memories alive of those missing in action in Vietnam. When the POW's finally returned home, people would mail them the bracelets that had been worn in their honor. "When we came home, it was one of the most emotional things that happened," said Ballard. Ballard, an F-105 fighter pilot, was shot down and captured on Sept. 26, 1966. After an interview with Ballard was posted on the Clemson University website in 2013, a supporter saw it and realized they were still holding one of his bracelets, and sent it to him.

Photo by Sgt. Ken Scar

Major Gen. Joseph L. Osterman, commander of U.S. Marine Corps Forces, Special Operations Command, addresses the audience attending a celebration of life ceremony commemorating 11 fallen service members May 15, 2015, aboard Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, North Carolina. Seven MARSOC Marines and four Louisiana Army National Guardsmen were killed when a UH-60 Black Hawk Helicopter crashed during amphibious operations involving helicopter and boat insertion and extraction training, near Eglin, Florida, March 10. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Steven Fox/Released)

Photo by Cpl. Steven Fox

A Marine with U.S. Marine Corps Forces, Special Operations Command addresses the audience in attendance of a celebration of life ceremony commemorating 11 fallen service members May 15, 2015, aboard Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, North Carolina. Seven MARSOC Marines and four Louisiana Army National Guardsmen were killed when a UH-60 Black Hawk Helicopter crashed during amphibious operations involving helicopter and boat insertion and extraction training near Eglin, Fla., March 10. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Steven Fox/Released)

Photo by Cpl. Steven Fox

John ‘Jack’ Cassidy, World War II and Navy veteran reaches out to shake someone’s hand before a wreath laying ceremony in honor of the 70th anniversary of the Battle of Okinawa at the World War II Memorial in Washington D.C. on April 1, 2015. On April 1, 1945, allied forces invaded the island of Okinawa. The battle lasted 82 days amassed high totals of allied, japanese and civilian casualties.

Photo by Cpl. Eric Keenan

John ‘Jack’ Cassidy, World War II and Navy veteran and his family speak with the crowd before a wreath laying ceremony in honor of the 70th anniversary of the Battle of Okinawa at the World War II Memorial in Washington on April 1, 2015. On April 1, 1945, allied forces invaded the island of Okinawa. The battle lasted 82 days amassed high totals of allied, japanese and civilian casualties.

Photo by Cpl. Eric Keenan

Josiah Bunting, Marine and Army veteran, speaks with John ‘Jack’ Cassidy, World War II and Navy veteran before a wreath laying ceremony in honor of the 70th anniversary of the Battle of Okinawa at the World War II Memorial in Washington D.C. on April 1, 2015. On April 1, 1945, allied forces invaded the island of Okinawa combated the Japanese in what would become the bloodiest battle of the Pacific theatre.

Photo by Cpl. Eric Keenan

World War II and Navy veteran John ‘Jack’ Cassidy’s, cover rests on a walker, during a wreath laying ceremony in honor of the 70th anniversary of the Battle of Okinawa at the World War II Memorial in Washington April 1, 2015. On April 1, 1945, allied forces invaded the island of Okinawa. The battle lasted 82 days amassed high totals of allied, Japanese and civilian casualties.

Photo by Cpl. Eric Keenan

A crowd gathers around John ‘Jack’ Cassidy, a World War II and Navy veteran, during a wreath laying ceremony in honor of the 70th anniversary of the Battle of Okinawa at the World War II Memorial in Washington April 1, 2015. On April 1, 1945, allied forces invaded the island of Okinawa. The battle lasted 82 days amassing high totals of allied, Japanese and civilian casualties.

Photo by Cpl. Eric Keenan

Staff Sgt. Kevin Gebo, a U.S. Army Band Pershing’s Own bugler, plays Taps for the veterans and the crowd, who gathered during a wreath laying ceremony in honor of the veterans of the Battle of Okinawa at the World War II Memorial in Washington April 1, 2015. On April 1, 1945, allied forces invaded the island of Okinawa. The battle lasted 82 days amassing high totals of allied, Japanese and civilian casualties.

Photo by Cpl. Eric Keenan

World War II veterans pay their respects for the service members, who participated in the Battle of Okinawa as Taps is played during a wreath laying ceremony at the World War II Memorial in Washington April 1, 2015. On April 1, 1945, allied forces invaded the island of Okinawa. The battle lasted 82 days amassing high totals of allied, Japanese and civilian casualties.

Photo by Cpl. Eric Keenan

Major General Lawrence D. Nicholson, commanding general of 1st Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force, thanks the veterans of the Battle of Iwo Jima for their service during the Iwo Jima Commemorative Banquet for the 70th Anniversary of the Battle of Iwo Jima at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, Calif., March 7. The evening included a sunset memorial, 21-gun salute, banquet and a video message for veterans from Commandant of the Marine Corps General Joseph Dunford. “Your legacy is the young men and women who use your example of courage and commitment to inspire them to confront and overcome the challenges that they face today… I pledge that today’s Marines will keep the spirit of Iwo Jima alive,” said Dunford.

Photo by Lance Cpl. Caitlin Bevel

Gunnery Sgt. Michael Flaningam, a trumpet player in the 1st Marine Division Band, I Marine Expeditionary Force, plays taps in memory of fallen Marines during the Iwo Jima Commemorative Banquet for the 70th Anniversary of the Battle of Iwo Jima at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, Calif., March 7. The evening included a sunset memorial, 21-gun salute, banquet and a video message for veterans from Commandant of the Marine Corps General Joseph Dunford. “Your legacy is the young men and women who use your example of courage and commitment to inspire them to confront and overcome the challenges that they face today … I pledge that today’s Marines will keep the spirit of Iwo Jima alive,” said Dunford.

Photo by Lance Cpl. Caitlin Bevel

Marines with 5th Battalion, 11th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force, fire a 21-gun salute in honor of fallen Marines during the Sunset Memorial for the 70th Anniversary of the Battle of Iwo Jima at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, Calif., March 7. The evening included a banquet, a performance by the 1st MARDIV Band, and a video message for veterans from Commandant of the Marine Corps General Joseph Dunford. “Your legacy is the young men and women who use your example of courage and commitment to inspire them to confront and overcome the challenges that they face today… I pledge that today’s Marines will keep the spirit of Iwo Jima alive,” said Dunford.

Photo by Lance Cpl. Caitlin Bevel

Marines with Combat Logistics Detachment 379 march in the 70th anniversary of the Battle of Peleliu ceremony Sept. 15 at Peleliu Elementary School in the Republic of Palau. The event brought together members of the Palau community, World War II veterans who served in the Battle of Peleliu, elected officials of Palau and representatives the U.S. military to remember the landing that took place 70 years earlier. The Marines with CLD-379 came to the Republic of Palau aboard the USNS Sacagawea as part of T-AKE 14-2, a maritime pre-positioned force, multi-country theater security cooperation event that deploys from Okinawa to conduct training exercises and TSC events. The Marines are from CLD-379, Combat Logistics Regiment 37, 3rd Marine Logistics Group, III Marine Expeditionary Force.

Photo by Cpl. Drew Tech