November 11, 2017 - Colton Veterans Day Commemoration

By Bill Betten, Co-Director of the California WW1 Centennial Task Force

vfw colorguard result Colton Veterans of Foreign Wars Honor Guard stands ready to fire salute.I had never attended a Colton Veterans Day event before, but I was extremely surprised and pleased upon making my first appearance representing the California World War 1 Centennial Task Force. I had not known of the earlier Prayer Service and Veterans Parade that had taken place in town, but arrived well before the mid-morning's Veterans Honor Ceremony at Fleming Park had begun. veterans day dr g welcomes officials result Dr. Gonzalez welcomes Colton officials to the dais.

I had arrived early enough though to briefly meet the event organizer, Colton City Council Member Dr. Luis S. Gonzalez.

Dr. G had already been busy with the Veterans Parade at 9:30 a.m. with local dignitaries, veterans, the Scouts, the Colton Fire Department, and the Colton High School Marching Band among others.

The park began filling with many veterans, their families, and invited guests. Soon, the officials took their positions on stage. The Master of Ceremonies addressed the colton officials result Guest speakers and Colton public officialscrowd that sat on the arena benches or had ventured to claim locations in the shade of the park’s trees. A very fine ceremony followed that began with the usual opening prayer, presentation of the colors, and a singing of the National Anthem.

Speakers approached the podium and shared their thoughts with those attending on the issue of Veteran’s Day, but the most significant was yet to veterans approach the stage result Colton veterans approach the stage for recognition. The WW2 veterans were called first.come. Colton officials then stepped up to make a presentation to any and all Veterans present. Each one was called onto the stage an recognized for their service and to receive a special veterans medal and ribbon.

2017 vet day dr g presents bill betten Co-Director Bill Betten receives recognition from the City of Colton.Amidst all the heroes being recognied I was invited on stage as a representative for the California WW1 Centennial Task Force to receive the medal for those who served during WW1. I told Dr. Gonzalez that it was my honor to walk for those who were no longer with us from 100 years ago.

21 gun salute result

Following the presentations, in honor of those who have given the ultimate sacrifice for their country, the Veterans of Foreign Wars Honor Guard fired an impressive twenty-one-gun salute and presented a playing of Taps. veterans day taps result

All were then invited cross the street to attend the Veteran’s Showcase being held at the Colton Women’s Club where local veterans were spotlighted and had on display artifacts of their service. All of these had very interesting stories they eagerly shared.
veteran showcase 2017 result At the "Veteran Showcase" at the Colton Women's Club Veterans Day 2017 a WW2 era vet proudly displays his WW1 German helmet he literally stumbled over while crossing a field just after World War Two.

bill betten & dr gonzalez 2017 vet day colton result California WW1 Centennial Task Force Co-Director Bill Betten and Dr. Luis Gonzalez 2017 Veterans Day Colton.