Military Banner Honors 19-year-old Colton Resident

When Isabel Salas heard about Colton’s Military Service Banner Program, she immediately wanted to recognize her good friend John Kyle Newman, a 19-year-old serving in the United States Navy. Honoring Newman, a friend so close to her that she refers to him as her brother, was so important to her that she reached out to two local community-based service groups to help raise funds to secure the banner that would hang on La Cadena Avenue near City Hall to honor Newman’s service to his country. After reaching out to and securing funds from the Knights of Columbus 4017 and Squire’s Circle 505, Salas had enough money to purchase the banner. On Wednesday, Sept. 4, Salas and other friends and family members of Newman gathered to watch city workers hang the banner high. From a young age, Newman knew he wanted to join the armed services, and he would often tell Salas of his dreams, Salas said. The two met at Immaculate Conception Church when Newman was nine. Salas was an altar server and the two formed a quick and long-lasting friendship. “He always told me that he wanted to go into the Navy,” Salas said. “As the time got closer, I asked him not to go, but he was adamant about it. When I heard about Colton’s banner program, I wanted to do it. He said he didn’t feel like he deserved it, but I told him this was my way to say ‘Thank you!” Newman remains humble about the honor; in fact, he feels there are others who deserve it more. “I turned 19 on [Sept. 9]. I’m still just a kid. In a few years, [I’ll deserve it] maybe.” He said he feels he will have earned the honor when he has “done something great.” But serving alone is reason enough to honor Newman, according to Salas, who described him as “caring, loving, devoted and outstanding. If you need help with anything, he will help you.” Newman follows in the steps of his father, who also served in the Navy and has been retired for 20 years. His grandfather was also airborne. Newman is currently stationed in San Diego, where he just received notice that he will receive training as a master helmsman, or one who helps steer naval ships. Newman wasn’t present to see the raising of his banner, but he has traveled back home to Colton to see it. Salas was there to see the banner hung, however, and she shared that the experience moved her. “I almost started to cry,” Salas said. The process of getting the banner hung was longer than Salas anticipated; she had the funds for the banner secured and the paperwork filed with the city, but her youngest son, Darius, 2, fell ill and was in the hospital for four months battling a brain tumor. “Kyle came back on leave but he told me he didn’t want the banner to be put up until both of my sons could be there,” said Salas. It wasn’t until early this month that her son was well enough to leave the hospital that the banner was put up. When Newman returned home last weekend, he had the chance to see the banner. Newman’s banner was the third of the total five that have been hung since the City implemented the Military Service Banner program. His banner hangs near the banners of E7 Sergeant 1st Class John Bonilla, hung in November 2012, U.S. Army Cavalry Scout Brandon Villarreal, hung in February, and alongside banners honoring United States Marine Corps veterans Julie Porter and Henry Calderilla, a father–daughter duo whose banners were also hung Sept. 4.