The folded flag was carried and presented to the widow with the words “On behalf of the President of the United States, I present you this flag”. Margaret Peterson receives the flag from Honor Guard Commander, which was covering her husband’s casket just moments before. Photo by Ricardo Tomboc
Standing on a green hill side overlooking the cityscape at the Rose Hills Memorial Park, I marveled at the air so clear that you can see the tall skyscrapers in the downtown area of Los Angeles. The weather was perfect after a couple days of rain. Several men in white Navy uniforms stood in a firm, formal salute as the flag-draped casket passed by them. You could hear the commands shouted to the seven sailors from the United States Navy rifle party as it prepared for the traditional three-volley salute, honoring those who have served in the military. The casket was placed in position. Seven sailors raised their rifles into the sky and fired three shots! The bugler sounded Taps, and the eyes in the crowd began to well up and tears started to flow.
The honor guard stood next to the casket and, in a ceremonial manner, took the flag and meticulously folded it 12 times. The folded flag was then carried and presented to the widow with the words “On behalf of the President of the United States, I present you this flag.”
My memories of John (Pete) Norman Peterson of La Verne, Calif., overwhelmed me. Although I wasn’t born then, I flash back to December 7, 1941, when the United States was attacked at Pearl Harbor. The calamity and trauma that John must have experienced as he responded to the surprise attract upon our Nation are almost impossible to fathom.
After his Military Honors, John received a Masonic Service since he was an active member of the Cornerstone Masonic Lodge No. 659 for several years.
Born October 29, 1921, in Marshalltown, Iowa, John passed away September 27, 2011 at Hillcrest Retirement Community in La Verne — on the month of his 90th birthday. As a youngster, John and his family moved to Eagle Rock, Calif. in 1927. After graduation from high school, he enlisted in the Navy and served a six-year tour during World War II as a Machinist Mat First Class aboard the USS Dobbin in the South Pacific. He was serving at Pearl Harbor during the Japanese attack. John was discharged in 1946 and went to work for Southern California Edison Company, retiring in 1979 as a foreman after 33 years.
John married Margaret Ringwald on April 19, 1947. They raised their family in Whittier, Calif. John was fiercely patriotic and joined the Pearl Harbor Survivors Association, Chapter 9, in Ontario, Calif. He attended several Pearl Harbor reunions and spoke to groups about his experience. He developed his love for tools and making things work while in the Navy. As a result, it was only natural for him to join the “Western Antique Power Association” (WAPA), where he maintained a large collection of restored antique engines and enjoyed displaying them at county fairs and other events. Being a skilled mechanic and craftsman, he was fond of saying, “I can fix anything but a broken heart.” John also enjoyed the outdoors and served as a scout master for the Boy Scouts of America, often leading small groups from his church on weeklong hikes along mountain trails.
He is survived by his wife Margaret Peterson of 64 years; daughters Mary Clarke and husband Rick of Mullan, Ida.; and Gayle Birbeck and husband Steve of Mountain Center, Calif.; and three grandchildren, five great-grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, sister Dolores Cundiff, brother George and son Paul.
There were about 60,000 military personal in and around Pearl Harbor in December 1941. Of those, about 2,400 were lost during the attack. According to Mal Middlesworth, Past President of the National Pearl Harbor Survivors Association, it’s estimated that nearly 70 years later there are less than 2,400 survivors left. The National Pearl Harbor Survivors Association was recently closed, mainly due to the lack of qualified people to serve on the board. Most of the members are in their nineties and suffer multiple ailments that prohibit them from attending meetings and conducting the everyday functions of a nonprofit organization.