STRASBURG, LANCASTER COUNTY -
As we approach the 68th anniversary of the attacks on Pearl Harbor, dozens gathered to honor two local veterans.
The American flag flying over the Strasburg Veterans Memorial in the town's square was exchanged for a new one during an hour-long Sunday afternoon ceremony.
The flag being lowered belongs to World War II veteran Roy Mowrer.
"It put a little tickle in my life to be recognized for something like this after all these years," Mowrer said.
The flag replacing Mowrer's belongs to the family of John Spearing, a Marine killed in Beirut, Lebanon, in a 1983 attack on U.S. troops there.
"Time does heal," said Spearing's mother, Lois Spearing. "I didn't think that it would ever heal things, but it does."
The flag exchange is a semi-annual tradition in Strasburg. The flags will be swapped again on Memorial Day.
Event organizer Donald Bachman said the flag exchange is also a good opportunity to honor Pearl Harbor Day, the anniversary of the Japanese attack on the U.S. Naval Base in Hawaii on Dec. 7, 1941.
"People should remember Pearl Harbor, and not forget it," Bachman said.
The American flag flying over the Strasburg Veterans Memorial in the town's square was exchanged for a new one during an hour-long Sunday afternoon ceremony.
The flag being lowered belongs to World War II veteran Roy Mowrer.
"It put a little tickle in my life to be recognized for something like this after all these years," Mowrer said.
The flag replacing Mowrer's belongs to the family of John Spearing, a Marine killed in Beirut, Lebanon, in a 1983 attack on U.S. troops there.
"Time does heal," said Spearing's mother, Lois Spearing. "I didn't think that it would ever heal things, but it does."
The flag exchange is a semi-annual tradition in Strasburg. The flags will be swapped again on Memorial Day.
Event organizer Donald Bachman said the flag exchange is also a good opportunity to honor Pearl Harbor Day, the anniversary of the Japanese attack on the U.S. Naval Base in Hawaii on Dec. 7, 1941.
"People should remember Pearl Harbor, and not forget it," Bachman said.
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