The battle of Iwo Jima began 70 years ago Saturday, the 21st   It was one of the bloodiest battles of the Second World War.

In about 36 days of intensive fighting, nearly 7-thousand U-S Marines were killed, and 20-thousand were wounded in battles that took place on black volcanic sand and the island`s Mt.Suribachi.  About 20-thousand Japanese are believed to have lost their lives as well.

Today dozens of aging U-S veterans are taking part in ceremonies on the island, and were bussed to the top of Mt. Suribachi to see the spot where a large American flag was raised by Marines.

Asociated Press photographer Joe Rosenthal made that moment famous when he captured it with his camera and the inspirational photo was sent back home to a war-weary America.