Newest Military Banner Honors Vietnam Vet

The newest military banner to fly high in Colton honors a Vietnam veteran and longtime Colton resident. Gilbert Arrieta served in the United States Army from May 1970 to Nov. 1971, where for 13 months he fought in Vietnam. Though he's always been proud of his service, the veteran felt a burst of pride on Monday when he was joined by family and friends as they watched city workers install the banner on La Cadena Ave., near City Hall. "I was proud that my family was proud of me, and my pastor, Jonathan Florez of Colton First Assembly, and church members were there," Arrieta said. Arrieta's military service has in recent years become a tangible thing as he now suffers the affects of exposure to Agent Orange, a defoliant composed of weed-killing chemicals used by the U.S. military during Vietnam. He struggles with fibromyalgia, diabetes and heart trouble caused by the chemical weapon. "With his health, it's a reminder of what he had to go through in the military and the challenges he faced," his wife Josie said, fighting back tears. "He takes such pride in the military and serving his country. Having his banner put up there meant a lot to me, his girls, his sister and his niece." Arrieta, who was born in El Paso, voluntarily joined the military. "A lot of people were against the war back then but I was proud to go and serve my country," Arrieta, who served as an ammunition specialist, said. "I regretted that I didn't re-enlist." He spent just eight weeks in training and 11 in school before being sent overseas at 19. "I got religious when I came out of the military," he said. "When I came back from [Vietnam] I was lost. There were no special programs for veterans then. You know, you go through dramatic stress there. I found God when I came back from overseas." He started going to church with his wife and after attending seminary school in Los Angeles, became a pastor. Arrieta spent 25 years spreading the word of God and was a member and a pastor of the Latin American Council of Christian Churches. In 1989, the family moved to Colton and he spent 10 years ministering in a church off M Street before health troubles forced him to retire 10 years ago. He said religion changed his life in dramatic ways. "Religion cleared up my life," he said. "I stopped drinking and I straightened my life out. It made my marriage better. My wife and I have been married for 40 years this year." The couple have two daughters, Yolanda, 39, and Valerie, 35, and one grandchild, 7-month-old Jai, all of whom were present to celebrate the hanging of the banner. As for the military, he believes it's a route he would recommend to anyone. Arrieta said, "The military taught me honor, respect and responsibility. It taught me to love my country more than before."