Draped in Red, White and Blue, Colton Honors Veterans

La Cadena Avenue was closed off Monday morning as Colton gathered to celebrate veterans at the annual Colton Veterans Day Parade. Downtown Colton was draped in patriotic colors of red, white and blue and residents gathered along the parade route starting from O Street and winding up South La Cadena Avenue,traveling north toward Fleming Park. Children grabbed candies being thrown from parade entrants, including dozens of brightly colored and pristine classic cars, cheerleading squads, Junior Reserve Training Corps battalions, local officials and civic groups. The parade is hosted annually by the American Legion Post 155, explained Louie Barrera, a veteran, post member and event organizer. "When we came back from Vietnam, there were no parades, (no) 'Thank Yous,' (no) 'Welcome Homes,'" said Barrera. "So [this parade] is really nice." Barrera said, "The parade was jam-packed on both sides," indicating it was a success this year. Opening ceremonies included a 21 gun salute by the Veterans of Foreign Wars post in Colton and a ceremony where veterans were asked to stand for recognition and community members could thank veterans for their service. This year's grand marshal was Colton resident Luis Contreras, a veteran Army sergeant, WWII veteran and a prisoner of war, said event coordinator Cecilia "Cece" Silva, a veteran Army sergeant, American Legion member and a member of the Women's Auxiliary. A gunner during WWII, Contreras also met General Patton, explained Silva. For Silva, the annual parade event has two meanings: one as an event organizer and one as a veteran. As an organizer, she said, "I like that everyone can come together. It can be a lot of work planning, but at the end of the day when you see all the veterans together, enjoying themselves, it makes it all worth it." As a veteran, she said the event "reminds me why everyone is there. We all fight for the same thing and we're still fighting for it today." The Olmos family, longtime Colton residents, brought and displayed their own personal American flag, one they fly at their home. Eva Olmos, who brought three of her granddaughters, explained she felt it was important for her grandchildren to know and understand the meaning of Veterans Day. "We thought it was important to bring our flag, not only for the parade, but also to show our pride," Olmos said. Accompanying her was her sister, Rosella Gaitan. Olmos and Gaitan are family members of military veterans, including a father who served in WWI, and brothers and a cousin who served during the Vietnam era. "Our brothers Ray and Mike Elias both served in Vietnam," explained Gaitan. In his 50s, Mike, a Grand Terrace resident, re-enlisted into the Army after the tragedy of September 11, 2001. He served one year in Iraq. "We waited every day for news," said Olmos. "We are very proud of him," the sisters agreed. "This is something very special, because the girls know now why we're celebrating," said Olmos, as her granddaughters, Dianalynn Olmos, 10; Annabell Olmos, 6; Jocelynn Olmos, 6; and Ashley Perez, 8, chimed in with what Veterans Day meant to them. "We are very grateful to all our veterans. We don't want them to be forgotten, of course. That's important to us," said Gaitan. On Friday, Nov. 8, the American Legion Post 155 also participated in a special ceremony at Wilson Elementary. Following Monday's parade, a celebration was held at Fleming Park, where Contreras was awarded an honorary plaque as the grand marshal. An open house at the American Legion Post 155 also attracted upwards of 100 visitors for musical entertainment, food and refreshments.