Coltonite John Amador Honored with Military Banner

Veteran and proud Coltonite John C. Amador was honored with a military banner installation ceremony this summer, July 15. Unfortunately Amador passed away on Oct. 19, 2002 so he was unable to attend his banner installation. His granddaughter Liliana shared, “"It's great to finally see my grandpa's banner up.” Amador enlisted into the Army in 1944 and served for two years, until 1946. During his service, he worked in Central Europe as a Rifleman and Private First Class Infantry. His niece Lilia Hernandez said, “He enjoyed serving from what all of us could tell. He did not speak too much about it but he did tell stories about D-Day and also of his brother who passed away serving overseas.” Amador was born in San Bernardino on March 25, 1925 and was raised in Colton his whole life. “He loved living in Colton,” Hernandez shared. He was also a huge baseball fan, especially the Los Angeles Dodgers. Amador went to school right here in Colton but only completed through 8th grade since he had to go to work right after that. After returning home from the service, he went to work at the Portland Cement Company where he also retired from. During this time he also married and had nine children. According to Hernandez, he also later divorced and remarried. They didn’t have any children but housed many of their nieces and nephews including Hernandez, herself. Many of his family members and friends were able to attend to support their loved one. “The installation ceremony was very nice,” she shared. “We wanted to honor his service and share our pride with everyone.” Amador’s granddaughter Liliana added, “He had such a gentle soul and was not only a great grandpa but a great person. This banner is not only for him but for all of the young men who died overseas serving with him who may not have left families behind to honor them. Let us never forget their sacrifice, especially his brother Petronilo Amador."