Jolene Saldivar Honored with Military Banner

Coltonite Jolene Saldivar was recently honored with a military banner installation ceremony for her service in the Air Force. Saldivar, entering when she was 20, served in the Air Force for six years, from 2008 to 2014. Saldivar grew up in Colton her whole life. The former Yellowjacket, graduated from Colton High School in 2005 and joined the Air Force in 2008. She mentioned that she always had a passion for planes and aviation ever since she was a young girl. Therefore, going into the Air Force was always a dream of hers. Saldivar worked in human resources on a special operations base. During her time of service she received a handful of medals: Air Force Achievement Medal, Air Force Commendation Medal and Joint Service Commendation Medal. Along with her multiple honors, Saldivar was named Non-commissioned Officer of the Year in 2012 during her time at the Cannon Air Force Base in New Mexico. Serving in the Air Force came with its many advantages, but Saldivar shared one of her favorite things about serving. “I got to go to pretty interesting places,” she said. She was deployed to Africa and Afghanistan for Operation Enduring Freedom and other numerous multinational operations. While explaining her experiences there she said, ”We volunteered a lot with the orphanages and delivered clothing and toys. It was such a good opportunity and I appreciated every moment of it. The overall experience was great.” The military banner installation ceremony was an emotional day for Irene Lopez, Saldivar’s mother. “I was so overwhelmed,” she shared when explaining the ceremony. Lopez mentioned that her mother instinct kicked in since she wasn't sure how she felt when Saldivar first decided to join the Air Force. "I had mixed feelings... but she got the best out of it and fulfilled her dreams. I am extremely proud of her for that," she said. Although, a couple members of the family were missing, including Jolene due to school, “It was a proud day,” Lopez said. “She did it, and she did it all on her own. Her family loves her and supports all of her decisions.” Unfortunately, in 2008 Saldivar went through a major surgery after fracturing her femur. Due to the seriousness of the injury, she was planning to be medically discharged. However, she continued her military service after a long but full recovery. Saldivar graduated from the Community College of the Air Force with a degree in Human Resources in 2012. She currently attends Humboldt State University where she is working toward her bachelors of science degree in biology and a minor in botany. She is also completing her final course for her bachelors of science for environmental science and will be graduating with honors at her commencement ceremony in Washington DC this upcoming June. After completing her second bachelors degree, her goal within the next few years is to attend graduate school where she will work toward a Ph.D. in tropical rainforest ecology. Saldivar’s banner is currently hanging on the corner of Valley Boulevard and Rancho in Colton.