Vasquez Family Lives on with Military Banner Displays

Three family members were honored with a combined military banner installation ceremony early this month in south Colton. On Dec. 9, Salvador Vasquez, Bobby Vasquez and Robert Martus were all honored for their military service. Bobby and Salvador are brothers and Robert is their brother-in-law, married to their sister Esther. As both Robert and Salvador have passed away, Bobby was the one to join other friends and family to celebrate the installation and the honor bestowed upon the three brothers. Danny Flores is the nephew of the three men and was struck with the idea to raise banners honoring his uncles one day as he drove through town and noticed other military banners hung throughout the city. “I thought to myself, ‘My uncles deserve recognition for their service’,” Flores said. “I went to my Aunt Sally [Salvador’s wife] and told her about the idea and she actually got a little emotional just from the idea.” Flores then contacted the City of Colton immediately to start the process, he said. “The two ladies that are in charge of this are so great and helpful,” Flores said. Flores then planned a combined ceremony for the three veterans, and invited family members, friends and city officials. Former Colton City Mayor Sarah Zamora, San Bernardino County Supervisor Josie Gonzales, and other councilmembers attended and spoke briefly at the event. Supervisor Gonzales's chief of staff is Flores's son. "He helped me and asked her to attend the event. Plus, I knew she would enjoy being in her old neighborhood," Flores said. "This event was for my uncles and aunts, to show them that they did receive the respect they deserve," Flores added. Salvador was born and raised in Colton and attended Colton High School. He served in the U.S. Army for two years; getting drafted in 1944, he was unable to finish his high school career. He entered Europe and fought against Germans; his rank was Private 1st Class, 304th Infantry. Salvador was wounded in action and earned a Purple Heart. Robert Martus, also born and raised in Colton, was drafted in 1943 and served for three years. Also in the Army, Martus served as a medic. “He was the guy patching up the wounded during the middle of a battle,” Flores explained. According to Flores, Martus earned quite a few medals during his service, including the WWII Victory Medal. Another true Coltonite, Bobby Vasquez, was drafted in 1951 and served in the Army for two years and served in the 82nd Airborne in Fort Bragg, North Carolina. Flores explained that Vasquez's story was a little different. "He got tired of training and volunteered to go to Korea," Flores said. "Most people want to go the opposite way, but he went and fought in the front lines...God brought him back home safe." Vasquez retired as a sergeant and earned a Bronze Star. The family's hometown, specifically south Colton, is extremely important to everyone of them, Flores explained. "I do live in Grand Terrace now. You can take the boy out of Colton but you can't take the Colton out of the boy," Flores shared. All three banners were hung in south Colton near one another. "I got them as close to each other as possible," Flores said. The brothers' banners can be found hanging between La Cadena Drive and M and N streets. Flores added, "I think it's safe to say the Vasquez family did their part." [END] Photo Captions: -Some of the Vasquez family and friends gather around Salvador Vasquez's banner moments before being hung. His banner can be seen at the northwest corner of La Cadena and N Street. -Bobby Vasquez, family and friends gather around his banner moments before he they witness it being hung for the first time. His banner can be seen at the southeast corner of La Cadena and N Street. -Robert Martus' family and friends briefly gather beside his banner before its hung next to his two brothers' banners. His can be found at the West side of the street between M Street and N Street. (All banners hung up - families underneath the banners pictures.) -Bobby Vasquez, his family, and friends stand with him as they admire his very own banner as it was officially hung. -Salvador Vasquez's banner is officially hung. His nephew Danny Flores shared that it was an emotional yet happy day for the family. -Family and friends of Robert Martus proudly stand below his banner moments after it was officially hung. SAME CEREMONY - DEC 9 Salvador Vasquez: Sally's husband. Danny's uncle/godfather. Wife: Sally Born and raised in Colton. CHS - didn't graduate bc he was drafted. 1944-1946 Private First class 304th infantry Fought in Europe, against Germans. Wounded in action - purple heart. -northwest corner of La Cadena and N Street Bobby Vasquez: brother-n-law - married to Ester 1951-1953 Army, 82nd Airborne Fort Brag, NC Tired of training - volunteered to go to Korea. "He wanted to see the action...most people want to go the other way." Frontlines. "God brought him back." retired as Sergeant. - Bronze Star -southeast corner of La Cadena and N Street Robert Martus: Ester's husband. Danny's uncle/godfather. 1943-1946 Army- Medic, technician 5th grade. "He was the guy patching up the ones who got wounded in the middle of fighting." Received 4 medals including WWII Victory Medal -West side of the street between M Street and N Street. All born and raised in Colton and attended CHS - did not graduate due to entering the service. -His idea. Driving around and saw the banners. Thought to himself, "my uncles served. They deserve this kind of recognition." Quotes: "These men served." "The Vasquez family did their part." "City of Colton - the ladies that are in charge of this are so great and helpful." "It was a very emotional day for the entire family." "I did this for my uncles and my aunts. to show them that they did receive the respect they deserve." Council members, Mayor Zamora and Supervisor Josie Gonzales attended. He went to City Hall, went to the board, invited them personally. "I invited them personally." Josie's chief of staff is Danny's son - helped him ask her to attend the event. "I know she enjoyed being in her old neighborhood." -Danny South Colton -All from South Colton, banners close to each other. "I got them as close as possible." Whole family born and raised in Colton. Danny lives in Grand Terrace now. - "You can take the boy out of Cotlon but you can't take the Colton out of the boy."