Memorial service for USS Arizona survivor Donald Stratton to be open to the public

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (KRDO) -- Longtime Colorado Springs resident and Pearl Harbor veteran Donald Stratton passed away over the weekend at 97 years old.

Now, his family is holding a memorial service and opening it to the public, according to Lisa Bachman with the Pikes Peak Heroes Legacy Committee.

The event will take place at 10 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 29 at the Rocky Mountain Calvary Chapel on N. Academy Boulevard.

All attendees are asked to wear Hawaiian shirts, USS Arizona apparel, service uniforms or the colors red, white and blue, according Bachman on behalf of the family.

Stratton will be laid to rest on March 2 in Red Cloud, Nebraska. The grave site burial is also open to the public and will take place at 11 a.m. at the Red Cloud Cemetery, the family said in a statement

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COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (KRDO) -- Donald G. Stratton, a Springs resident and USS Arizona survivor, passed away in his sleep over the weekend.

The 97-year-old died Saturday night in his home, surrounded by his wife of nearly 70 years, according to the veteran's Facebook page.

The following message was posted to Stratton's Facebook page:

We are profoundly sad to say that last night, February 15, Donald passed away peacefully in his sleep surrounded by his wife of nearly 70 years, Velma, and his son Randy. One of Donald's final wishes was that people remember Pearl Harbor and the men aboard the USS Arizona. Share their story and never forget those who gave all for our great country.

He's survived by his wife, Velma, four children and 13 grandchildren. He's the author of a New York Times Best Seller, All the Gallant Men.