Pearl Harbor Veteran Ray Chavez Mourned in San Diego
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It was a day of tributes for Ray Chavez, who was the oldest living veteran survivor of the attack on Pearl Harbor before his death on Nov. 21.
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Calvin Pearce/NBC 7
It was a day of tributes for Ray Chavez, who was the oldest living veteran survivor of the attack on Pearl Harbor before his death on Nov. 21.
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NBC 7 San Diego
Chavez, a Poway resident for most of his life, is pictured here in 2016.
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Calvin Pearce/NBC 7
Family, friends and veterans attended the ceremony at St. Michael's Catholic Church.
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Scott Baird/NBC 7
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Calvin Pearce/NBC 7
School students stood along the route of the procession to show their respect.
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Calvin Pearce/NBC 7
A motorcycle group known as Patriot Guard Riders accompanied the hearse to Miramar National Cemetery.
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Mark Leimbach/NBC 7
President of the local chapter of the Pearl Harbor Survivors Association Stu Hedley, 97, was asked to be a part of the service. He said Chavez was "very quiet, very reserved but always faithful."
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Matt Rascon
Chavez pictured on July 3, 2015.
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Calvin Pearce/NBC 7
Members of the public stood along the procession route. Some stood at attention while others waved flags.
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Chavez pictured in March 2017 during a visit to the Midway Museum in downtown San Diego.
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He served on the U.S. Navy coastal minesweeper USS Condor. Chavez lost several of his friends in the attack. He said he was lucky to have survived.
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Mark Leimbach/NBC 7
The Miramar cemetery where Ray Chavez was laid to rest on Thursday.
