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Boston Globe

Boston commemorates the 80th anniversary of the Battle of Iwo Jima

Cappuccio was one of three World War II veterans who joined dozens of civilians gathered at the State House to commemorate the 80th anniversary of the ferocious battle that started on Feb. 19, 1945. The Marine Corps League, a veteran service group, organized the event that has been held in the State House every Feb. 19 for the past 25 years. Wednesday's commemoration was the last one the Marine Corps League plans to organize, a decision made after last year's event became the first-ever without any veterans from the Battle of Iwo Jima in attendance. Advertisement However, much to the surprise of lead organizer John MacGillivray, midway through Wednesday's event, he was tapped on the shoulder and informed that there was, in fact, a veteran from the Battle of Iwo Jima in the crowd. Soon after, Cappuccio, was told to stand, ushered to the podium, and asked to deliver an impromptu speech as the room burst into a standing ovation. 'I'll be 100 years old in two months, and all these guys here, all these veterans — believe me, they're just as good as I am,' said Cappuccio. 'If you want to get to my age, you've got to keep moving. That's what I do. I've traveled the world over, and I love it... I hope you guys can all do what I do with my life and really enjoy it.' Marine Corporal Abdulnasir Morris stood at attention along with other members of the US Marine Color Guard at the 80th anniversary of the Battle of Iwo Jima celebration. David L. Ryan/Globe Staff On Feb. 19, 1945, US Marines landed on the shores of Iwo Jima under a hail of Japanese gunfire, marking the start of one of the bloodiest battles of the Pacific theater in World War II. Over the next 36 days, nearly 7,000 Americans lost their lives before the hard-fought battle concluded — an event immortalized by the iconic photograph of Marines raising the American flag atop Mount Suribachi. Two other World War II veterans were also present at the ceremony, Leo Carroll, 100, who fought in the Battle of Okinawa, and Enoch Woodhouse II, 98, a veteran of the Tuskegee Airmen — the famed all-Black Army Air Forces unit that broke racial barriers while escorting Allied bombers in combat over Europe. Advertisement 'They call us the Greatest Generation because everyone, no matter what their ethnicity, had their high school diploma in hand and went to one of two places — Boston Fargo for the Marines or Navy, or the Fuller Cadillac Building for the Army,' said Woodhouse, who grew up in Lower Roxbury's Lenox Street Projects. Also in attendance was General Christopher J. Mahoney, assistant commandant of the US Marine Corps and a South Weymouth native. During his speech, Mahoney noted that 27 Medals of Honor were awarded for the Battle of Iwo Jima — the most for any single battle in US military history — three of which went to Marines from Massachusetts. 'Those Marines and Sailors, including the three I just mentioned, didn't seek recognition. They did it because it was their duty. They did it for each other. At that moment, they were part of something bigger than themselves,' said Mahoney. The Marine Corps League also presented awards. Hank Naughton, a former Massachusetts state representative and a lieutenant colonel in the Massachusetts Army National Guard, received a Semper Fidelis Public Servant Award. Paul Wahlberg, partial owner of the restaurant Wahlburgers, received a Gung Ho Community Service Award on behalf of the Wahlberg family. Peter Rice, president and CEO of Hanscom Federal Credit Union, received a Gung Ho Spirit Award. A Semper Fidelis Achievement Award went to Daniel Penny and his two lawyers, Thomas Kenniff and Steven Raiser. Kenniff and Raiser helped Penny secure an acquittal last December on second-degree manslaughter and criminally negligent homicide charges, following a May 2023 incident on the New York City subway in which Penny placed Jordan Neely — a homeless Black man who had been threatening passengers — in a chokehold for several minutes, resulting in Neely's death. Advertisement The 80th anniversary of the Battle of Iwo Jima celebrated at the Massachusetts State House. L-R The Assistant Commandant of the Marine Corps., General Christopher J. Mahoney, the second highest ranking member of the entire Marines was present along Daniel Penny, the man who controversially chocked out Jordan Neely on the NYC subway, who got him acquitted. (David L Ryan/Globe Staff ) SECTION: METRO David L. Ryan/Globe Staff 'There has been pushback from a few people,' said MacGillivray, defending his decision to honor Penny, whose actions sparked nationwide protests, with critics framing Neely's death as a racially motivated killing. 'But from my point of view, and the view of many others, what he did was defend people who couldn't defend themselves.' " Nathan Metcalf can be reached at