A final journey

Bill Perry, son of Senior Master Sgt. (Ret.) Raymond Perry, is assisted by Capt. Andrew Stewart, 15th Wing commander’s action group, to spread the ashes of his late father during a ceremony Dec. 7, 2012 at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Hawaii. Perry was a Dec. 7, 1941, Hickam Field attack survivor whose wishes were for his family to return him to Hickam and spread his ashes. He served 26-years in the Air Force and was a founding member of the pararescue career field. He returned to Hickam and serve for more than 20 years as a fire inspector for the Hickam fire department. This is the first time a Hickam Field survivor has had their remains scattered at Hickam Field. He is the first among Hickam Field survivors to have his ashes spread at Hickam. Perry’s widow, Elizabeth Chew Perry, clutches the flag in the background she was presented by base leadership. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Mike Meares)