Fifty-four years ago, the United States cut diplomatic ties with Cuba and shut down the American embassy. Three Marines, James Tracy, Mike East and Larry Morris, had the solemn duty of lowering the Stars and Stripes in front of a huge crowd. When the American embassy finally emptied in 1961, none of those Marines thought they would ever return.

“To see ‘Old Glory’ flying the last time in Cuba, it just did’t seem right,” East said.

Now well into their 70s, Tracy, East and Morris returned to the American embassy to celebrate its reopening and watch the flag rise once more. U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry honored them at the reopening ceremony.

“We’re doing something that not too many Marines have ever done,” Morris told the press. “It’s thrilling.”