Joel Gomez Honored with Military Banner by Kayla Sheldon - City News Group, Inc.
View Upcoming Events View Your Local Sales

Community Calendar

SEPTEMBER
S M T W T F S
30 31 01 02 03 04 05
06 07 08 09 10 11 12
13 14 15 16 17 18 19
20 21 22 23 24 25 26
27 28 29 30 01 02 03
View Events
Submit Events
directory

Joel Gomez Honored with Military Banner

By Kayla Sheldon, Staff Writer
May 9, 2015 at 08:21am. Views: 93

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.”

Related Articles

Photo Courtesy of: Highgrove News

By Margie Miller- Publisher, Community Writer

November 30, -0001 at 12:00am. Views: 97

Barnett has served as the publisher of the Highgrove Happenings newspaper since 1994.Barnett will hold a free event, titled “Early Historic Pictures of Highgrove,” will be held at 6 p.m. on Tuesday, September 8, 2026, at the Norton Younglove Community Center, 459 Center Street in Highgrove.

Photo Courtesy of: Feeding America

By Rachel Bonilla, Community Writer

September 2, 2026 at 10:55pm. Views: 258

According to the latest data available from Feeding America’s Map the Meal Gap study, 48 million people, including more than 14 million children, experienced food insecurity in 2024, the highest level since 2014. Of the communities FARSB serves, we see food insecurity range from a low of 13.8% in Riverside County to a high of 15.6% in San Bernardino County.

Photo Courtesy of: TME Photography by Titan Mom Elvira

By Titan Mom Elvira, Community Writer

September 2, 2026 at 10:55pm. Views: 171

GTHS Senior and student-athlete Annaleya Flores is making her mark on the field and in the classroom while helping lead the Lady Titans during their inaugural GTHS Girls Flag Football season.

Photo Courtesy of: Office of Assemblymember James Ramos

By Carl M. Dameron, Contributing Writer

September 2, 2026 at 10:55pm. Views: 270

California Assemblymember James Ramos is the keynote speaker at The Salvation Army’s Red Kettle Kickoff celebration, the official launch of the 2026 Christmas fundraising campaign. Tuesday, October 20, 2026, at 5:30 PM at the Bear Springs Event Center in Highland, California.

Photo Courtesy of: Margie Miller

By Margie Miller- Publisher, Community Writer

August 28, 2026 at 08:13am. Views: 1475

Mike Miller & Lori Miller, Restaurateurs of Timber Ridge Steakhouse, the newsest restaurant on Hospitality Lane in San Bernardino located in the familiar spot previously occupied by Claim Jumper, and for those of us "older folks", Bobby McGees. You can find Mike & Lori at 1905 Commercenter E San Bernardino CA, 92408

Photo Courtesy of: City of Moreno Valley

By Ruby Stephenson, Community Writer

August 26, 2026 at 01:40pm. Views: 1015

Fall 2026 Soaring Activity Guide is hitting the mail this week, and it’s chock-full of all the exciting things the City has planned throughout the Fall.

Photo Courtesy of: City of Moreno Valley

By William Cortez, Community Writer

August 26, 2026 at 01:40pm. Views: 837

When temperatures climb to 97 degrees and above, heat-sensitive residents may seek refuge at the City of Moreno Valley's designated cool centers.

Photo Courtesy of: City of Moreno Valley

By WIlliam Cortez, Community Writer

August 26, 2026 at 01:40pm. Views: 885

he City of Moreno Valley has received the California Municipal Treasurers Association’s Investment Policy Certification, recognizing the City’s commitment to responsible and transparent management of public funds.

Photo Courtesy of: Feeding America Riverside San Bernardino

By Rachel Bonilla, Community Writer

August 26, 2026 at 01:40pm. Views: 1077

Photo Courtesy of: County of San Bernardino

By Ruby Stephenson, Community Writer

August 26, 2026 at 01:40pm. Views: 1139

Between Aug. 3 and Aug. 9, investigators from the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department – Gangs/Narcotics Division, along with deputies from patrol stations and personnel from partnering agencies, served 16 search warrants and contacted suspects throughout the county.

Photo Courtesy of: County of San Bernardino

By William Cortez, Community Writer

August 26, 2026 at 01:40pm. Views: 945

Bloomington residents gathered at Ayala Park on Tuesday, Aug. 4, for a ribbon cutting ceremony celebrating new improvements designed to enhance accessibility, safety and comfort for children and families.

Photo Courtesy of: Dr.G  (Dr Luis S González)

By Dr.G  (Dr Luis S González), Community Writer

August 26, 2026 at 01:40pm. Views: 969

Kimberly Huerta, Youth Commissioner and Chair of Colton Youth Council and Dr.G, Council Member and Advisor to the program.

--> -->