Earlier this month, the Chavez family gathered together to honor the one-year anniversary of the passing of Herman G Chavez, who died January 15, 2017. The original Military Banner ceremony was not held due to inclement weather conditions, and the fact that several family members lived out of town, so the family, along with the assistance of Council Member Dr. G, made plans for the one-year ceremony.
Born in Winslow, Arizona, and spending most of his youth in San Bernardino and later Colton, Herman Chavez became known as a “little bit of a trouble maker,” as his daughter Debbie laments. People who knew him well, whether at school, out and about with friends, and even at home with the family, often said “that’s the way he was,” added Debbie.
Herman was just 17 years old, and a student at San Bernardino High School, when he entered the service. “Perhaps serving in the military was a good thing,” stated Dr. G. Leaving from the old train depot in downtown Colton, Herman began his military service in the U.S. Army with basic training at Fort Hamilton, New York. Later he served the remaining four years in Munich, Germany as an “armor crewman” as part of an Army tank division.
The honor ceremony for the military banner was held on the corner of H Street and Ninth Street, exactly where the banner currently flies. “I was very grateful we were able to celebrate the memory of our loved one,” says Alice, wife of Herman Chavez, who together lived at their H Street address for the last 13 years. The ceremony included participation of several family members, in addition to the guest speaker and family friend, Dr. G. The great-grandkids, (Jayden, Jazlyn) held the set of U.S. flags; the national anthem was sung by grand-daughter Kayla, and family “short-talks” were presented by Jason (grandson), Rudy (son in-law), and daughter Renee. Jason was also recognized for spearheading the planning of this banner project.
The closing words that were offered by Dr. G, included “today we honor Herman’s military service, but even more so, we celebrate his life. I cannot think of a better way to do both, than by bringing together the legacy, which he not only created, but cherished the most – his family.”