{"id":47600,"date":"2015-12-08T03:53:01","date_gmt":"2015-12-08T03:53:01","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/owegopennysaver.com\/?p=47600"},"modified":"2015-12-13T14:47:49","modified_gmt":"2015-12-13T14:47:49","slug":"pearl-harbor-survivors-and-those-who-served-are-honored-in-owego","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/www.owegopennysaver.com\/PS\/2015\/12\/08\/pearl-harbor-survivors-and-those-who-served-are-honored-in-owego\/","title":{"rendered":"Pearl Harbor survivors and those who served are honored in Owego"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"Pearl<\/a>

V.F.W. Memorial Chairman and Korean War veteran, Jim Raftis, speaks to veterans and guests gathered at the Pearl Harbor Remembrance Ceremony held on Monday, Dec. 7 at the Tioga County Veterans Memorial Park. (Photos by JoAnn R. Walter)<\/p><\/div>\n

\"Pearl<\/a>

Members of the V.F.W. Post 1371 Honor Guard participated at a Pearl Harbor Remembrance Ceremony held on Monday, Dec. 7 at the Tioga County Veterans Memorial Park.<\/p><\/div>\n

\"Pearl<\/a>

Members of V.F.W. Post 1371 Honor Guard participated at a Pearl Harbor Remembrance Ceremony held on Monday, Dec. 7 at the Tioga County Veterans Memorial Park.<\/p><\/div>\n

\"Pearl<\/a>

Owego United Methodist Church pastor, Rev. James Stevens, delivered the invocation and benediction at the Pearl Harbor Remembrance ceremony held Dec. 7 at the Tioga County Veterans Memorial Park in Owego, N.Y.<\/p><\/div>\n

\"Pearl<\/a>

Just as skies above Pearl Harbor were said to be witnessed as clear and bright blue on Dec. 7, 1941, the clear blue sky in Owego, N.Y. welcomed veterans and guests who attended the Pearl Harbor Remembrance Ceremony at the Tioga County Veterans Memorial Park on Monday, Dec. 7.<\/p><\/div>\n

Just as skies above Pearl Harbor were witnessed as clear and bright blue 74 years ago on Dec. 7, 1941, the clear blue sky in Owego, N.Y. on Monday, Dec. 7 welcomed veterans and guests to the Pearl Harbor Remembrance Ceremony at the Tioga County Veterans Memorial Park.<\/p>\n

V.F.W. Memorial Chairman and Korean War veteran, Jim Raftis, announced to veterans and guests that Dec. 7, 1941, best known in history as the date \u201cwhich will live in infamy\u201d and which led the United States into World War II following the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, is forever linked to Tioga County.<\/p>\n

Raftis shared, \u201cIt\u2019s important to keep the memory of December seventh alive,\u201d adding, \u201cAnd to pay tribute to the greatest generation who served during World War II and those who made the supreme sacrifice.\u201d<\/p>\n

Five Tioga County servicemen were recognized at the remembrance ceremony, one of who is still living. \u00a0The \u201cmissing man table\u201d was set up in front of the monuments as recognition of MIA\u2019s and POW\u2019s.<\/p>\n

Raftis shared that five Tioga County servicemen were stationed in Pearl Harbor, one of whom made the supreme sacrifice and is entombed aboard the U.S.S. Arizona. \u00a0Owego Seaman First Class Delmar Dale Sibley was Tioga County\u2019s first fallen hero of World War II and his name is engraved on one of two World War II monuments in the Veterans Memorial Park. \u00a0In addition, Sibley\u2019s portrait hangs in the V.F.W.\u2019s dining hall, which in 2007, was dedicated in his memory.<\/p>\n

From Owego, U.S. Army veterans Donald Stocks and Bill Kennedy, and U.S. Marine veteran, Lester Dunham, as well as U.S. Army veteran Richard Hopkins of Berkshire, were remembered for their service at Pearl Harbor.<\/p>\n

Owego resident, Bill Kennedy, the last remaining Pearl Harbor survivor from Tioga County, turned 94 in November.<\/p>\n

Special guest speaker, Owego resident Cheri Porcari and daughter of Lester \u201cBuster\u201d Dunham, spoke of the pride her father carried with him throughout his life. \u00a0\u201cHe was a very proud Marine,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n

Porcari explained that her father was on guard duty patrolling the docks at Pearl Harbor and witnessed the sinking of the Arizona and other casualties, a day he had described as \u201cgruesome and all hell.\u201d Porcari said her father spent most of the day after the attack pulling people out of the water, some were alive, but most had perished. Two thousand four hundred and three Americans lost their lives that day.<\/p>\n

Dunham kept a diary and newspaper clippings from his experiences, including service at Midway and Guadalcanal, which Porcari brought with her to the ceremony.<\/p>\n

Porcari explained that it wasn\u2019t until her son, Matthew Porcari, then still in school, had asked his grandfather to be interviewed for a project about Pearl Harbor, that Dunham opened up more about his experiences. \u00a0Matthew Porcari, from the Owego Fire Department, died in the line of duty on Jan. 22, 2013.<\/p>\n

During the ceremony, the invocation and benediction was delivered by the Pastor of Owego\u2019s United Methodist Church, Rev. James Stevens and the V.F.W. Post 1371 Honor Guard posted the colors.<\/p>\n

\"Pearl<\/a>

At the Pearl Harbor Remembrance Ceremony held on Monday, Dec. 7 at the Tioga County Veterans Memorial Park, Owego resident Cheri Porcari shared memories of her father, Lester “Buster” Dunham. Dunham was on guard duty at Pearl Harbor and witnessed the sinking of the U.S.S. Arizona, among other casualties. Dunham, a U.S. Marine, also served at Midway and Guadalcanal.<\/p><\/div>\n

Raftis closed the ceremony by announcing the annual Wreaths Across America ceremony which will be held at the Veterans Memorial Park on Saturday, Dec. 12 starting at noon. \u00a0For additional information about placing a wreath at a Tioga County cemetery, contact Jim Raftis by email, jraftis2@stny.rr.com, or call (607) 687-4229.<\/p>\n

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\"Pearl<\/a>

The Tioga County Veterans Memorial Park is adorned with Christmas wreaths for the season, all of which are decorated with flags and bows for the Wreaths Across America ceremony scheduled on Saturday, Dec. 12.<\/p><\/div>\n

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