Joel Gomez Honored with Military Banner

Joel R. Gomez, 72, was honored with a military banner installation ceremony on Wednesday, Dec. 10, by family, friends, and the City of Colton. According to Gomez’s niece Eloise Gomez Reyes, more than just one military banner was ordered - not only did Gomez receive a banner to hang on his hometown's streets, but he also received one of his very own to hang wherever he desired. His family surprised him with it on Thanksgiving Day. “He hung it up right away… he was so excited. You could tell how proud he was,” said Gomez Reyes. Gomez was born in Mexico in July of 1942 and moved to California when he was 17 years old. Gomez Reyes shared that many of her uncle's close friends were drafted into the military and although Gomez was never drafted himself, he would always keep in touch them and then not long after decided to join the military with them. At age 24, Gomez enlisted in the Army; he served active duty for two years, from 1966 to 1968, and then finished up his service in the reserves until 1972. “He felt like he needed to give back to the country that has done so much for him,” said Gomez Reyes. “His friends being drafted definitely sparked his interest to enlist into the military.” In fact, Gomez enlisted during the time of the Vietnam War, according to Gomez Reyes. “He was in charge of driving the colonel around,” she said. Gomez Reyes added, “Colton has one of the best banner programs. The banners are just so beautiful.” Now, along with Gomez's personal military banner that his family surprised him with, he can add another one to his list as the City installed his banner where not only his family can see it, but so can all of Colton and its visitors. Over 20 of Gomez's family members, friends and loved ones gathered on D Street, between La Cadena Avenue and Ninth Street in Colton, with the same goal in mind: to support and honor Gomez and his service to his country. “He wasn’t a citizen of the United States but he still went and served our country honorably and we really are so proud of him,” Gomez Reyes shared. “It really was a wonderful celebration with lots of family, because we’re very proud of what my uncle has done.”