A Sky Salute Honored Last Survivors of U.S.S. Arizona, Pearl Harbor 75th Commemoration
December 07 2016 - 9:00AM
The last survivors of the U.S.S. Arizona returned for a final
salute at the Pearl Harbor 75th Commemoration. For the first
time in 75 years after the attack on Pearl Harbor, the survivors
took an aerial tour above the Arizona and witnessed the wreck that
remains at the bottom of the ocean. With a clear aerial view
of the remains, the survivors paid tribute to the 1,777 shipmates
they lost, and they were also honored with a sky salute.
The survivors are:
- Lauren Bruner, fire controlman, third class, 96 years old.
- Lonnie Cook, seaman, first class, 96 years old.
- Lou Conter, quartermaster, third class, 95 years old.
- Howard Kenton Potts, coxswain, 95 years old.
- Donald Stratton, seaman, first class, 94 years old.
“These brave men have given so much for our country and
freedoms enjoyed by Americans today,” said Nicole Stratton,
granddaughter of Stratton. “The outpouring of support to
honor these survivors in a manner befitting the National Heroes
they are is overwhelming and appreciated.”
On Dec. 5, Blue Hawaiian Helicopters flew the survivors and
their families over Pearl Harbor for the sky salute. The
flights over the U.S.S. Utah and U.S.S. Missouri concluded at the
U.S.S. Arizona. Blue Hawaiian Helicopters received special
permission to hover within 300-feet above the U.S.S. Arizona,
allowing the survivors a more intimate look at the ship they once
called home and to honor their fallen comrades.
The survivors also flew over the Pearl Harbor Visitor Center to
receive a salute from the U.S. Pacific Fleet Band. Names, ranks and
information about the survivors were announced as each of the three
helicopters passed.
“These men epitomize the strength, resilience, courage and
loyalty that make our country great,” said Gregg Lundberg,
president and chief executive officer of Blue Hawaiian Helicopters.
“Flying them over Pearl Harbor and the eternal memoir of
their ship is an honor that humbles our entire team. They are
heroes.”
Blue Hawaiian Helicopters is the benefactor of the sky salute
donating the three helicopters and resources that flew the
survivors and their families. The three participating Blue
Hawaiian Helicopters pilots are U.S. Veterans Gardner Brown, Kristi
Hicky and Loren Sampson.
The return of the survivors and their families to Pearl Harbor
was made possible through the U.S.S. Arizona Final Salute campaign
that raised more than $100,000 through donations. In addition to
bringing the survivors and families back, the funds is being used
to create “The Final Salute” documentary project aimed at
preserving the historic moments surrounding the 75th Anniversary of
the attack on Pearl Harbor.
The campaign is a joint effort between eight families of Arizona
survivors, three passing away in the last two years. The three
sailors were also honored in the sky salute and interred with their
shipmates in the Arizona. They are:
- Raymond Haerry, coxswain, passed away in September at the age
of 95.
- Clarendon Hetrick, seaman, first class, passed away in April at
the age of 92.
- John Anderson, boatswain’s mate, second class passed away in
2015 at the age of 98. He will rejoin his twin brother who perished
during the attack.
For more information on the U.S.S. Arizona Final Salute
campaign, Pearl Harbor 75th Commemoration or Blue Hawaiian
Helicopters, visit www.arizonafinalsalute.com,
www.pearlharbor75thanniversary.com or www.bluehawaiian.com.
Please contact Christina Brodsly at (303) 256-4122 to be
included on the Company’s e-mail distribution list.
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