Pearl Harbor survivor and veteran Dick Warner arrives at the Southern Utah Veterans Home's Pearl Harbor survivors ceremony, Ivins, Utah, Dec. 8, 2013 | Photo by Michael Flynn, St. George News

IVINS – A ceremony was held at the Southern Utah Veterans Home on Saturday to honor local survivors of the surprise attack on the U.S. naval base at Pearl Harbor that marked America’s entry into World War II. It was the 72^nd anniversary of the attack, which occurred on Dec. 7, 1941.

The ceremony began at 10:15 a.m., just as the snow began to fall. The three remaining Washington County survivors of the attack, Lee Warren, Garth Sawyers and Dick Werner, were present. Local musicians Sheri Peterson and Ann Bruun sang “America the Beautiful” and members of the Paiute Indian Nation formed a drum circle and performed a traditional “warrior dance” in tribute.

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Videocast by Michael Flynn, St. George News

Veteran David “Doc” Chung spoke in the place of his wife, Cheryl German-Chung, who died two months ago due to health complications stemming from exposure to Agent Orange, a chemical defoliant used by American military forces during the Vietnam War.

Chung read the speech his wife had prepared for the ceremony, with just a few changes, he said. The speech discussed the history and symbolism behind the American flag folding ritual.

“When the flag is completely folded, the stars are uppermost,” Chung read, “to remind us of our national motto: In God We Trust.”

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Related posts

• Southern Utah Veterans Home dedicated with full honors; STGnews Videocast and Photo Gallery
• Pearl Harbor survivors honored at 71st anniversary memorial; STGnews Videocast

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