Volunteers reenact the flag raising on Mt. Suribachi during the memorial dinner for the 71st anniversary of the Battle of Iwo Jima, Feb. 20 at Camp Pendleton. During the 36-day battle for the 8.5 square-mile island, 6,821 Marines gave their lives to gain control of the strategic position in the Pacific during World War II. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Caitlin Bevel) - Volunteers reenact the flag raising on Mt. Suribachi during the memorial dinner for the 71st anniversary of the Battle of Iwo Jima, Feb. 20 at Camp Pendleton. During the 36-day battle for the 8.5 square-mile island, 6,821 Marines gave their lives to gain control of the strategic position in the Pacific during World War II. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Caitlin Bevel)