Phoenix Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day: A Tribute Flyover, Dignitaries and Memorial Wreaths

Phoenix, AZ (December 12, 2022) – Each year, tribute is bestowed by the nation for the heroism and sacrifice of the U.S. Armed Forces Service Members and civilians who lost their lives during the attack on Pearl Harbor Dec. 7, 1941.

On the 81st anniversary of the attack on Pearl Harbor, the Pearl Harbor National Memorial in Hawaii, which includes the USS Arizona Memorial, hosted its annual commemoration ceremony to honor those killed on the battleship Arizonaand all Service Members and civilians who lost their lives at Pearl Harbor.

In Phoenix, during the Arizona Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day Ceremony at the Arizona State Capitol Wesley Bolin Plaza, TriWest Healthcare Alliance (TriWest) also respectfully joined the nation in paying honor and tribute to our nation’s heroes.

The Phoenix Remembrance Day Ceremony featured a flyover of World War II biplanes – trainer aircraft during World War II – gracing the city skies over the state capitol, followed by speakers including Rear Admiral (Ret.) Terry Moulton, TriWest Senior Advisor to the President and CEO.

“One of the cornerstones of our mission and values is paying tribute to the service and extraordinary sacrifices of those who have worn the cloth of our nation,” Moulton told the audience. “The State of Hawaii and Pearl Harbor hold a special connection to our organization,” he emphasized.

Moulton described TriWest’s support to help renovate the Pearl Harbor Visitor Center about 15 years ago, as well as the company’s operational contact center and its dedicated staff located near Pearl Harbor.

“Sites like Pearl Harbor and the memorials here at Wesley Bolin Plaza help us remember those lost on this day 81 years ago, while ensuring that future generations never forget the sacrifices made by fellow citizens before them,” Moulton said.

He introduced Rear Admiral (Ret.) Jim Symonds, who asked the ceremony attendees, “How do we keep Pearl Harbor in our hearts?”

“Let your children and grandchildren know you care, and share stories of our conflicts including Pearl Harbor,” Symonds said. “Ordinary people did extraordinary things.”

Speakers also included U.S. Air Force Col. (Ret.) Wanda Wright, Director of the Arizona Department of Veterans Services, who presented a proclamation on behalf of Gov. Doug Ducey to honor those who have served and their families.

Ed Miklavcic, a Pearl Harbor Veteran and Arizona resident, placed a wreath at the USS Arizona Anchor Memorial on the plaza. Several other wreaths were presented to commemorate the Service Members and civilians who lost their lives in the Pearl Harbor attack, and those who fought to defend the nation.

Honoring America’s Veterans, an organization TriWest supports, organized the Arizona Pearl Harbor Remembrance Ceremony where TriWest served as the ceremony’s Distinguished Service Cross Sponsor.

The USS Arizona, at the bottom of Pearl Harbor, is the final resting place for more than 900 of the 1,177 U.S. sailors and Marines crew who lost their lives on Dec. 7, 1941. Find more information about the USS Arizona Memorial at the Pearl Harbor National Memorial website.