Coltonite Arthur Acevedo Honored with Military Banner

On Sept. 16, a true Coltonite, Arthur Acevedo, nicknamed “Turi,” was honored with a military banner installation ceremony, all thanks to the support of his family. Acevedo served for four years in the Navy, right out of high school. His banner can be seen on the corner of La Cadena Drive and Olive Street. Acevedo was born and raised in Colton. He went to Woodrow Wilson Elementary School and graduated from Colton High School. “It was either join the military or get drafted,” Acevedo’s sister Yolanda mentioned chuckling. According to Yolanda, Acevedo always had a desire to be a Navy Seal, so he started his training right after he graduated high school. Since his dream was slowly becoming a reality, he worked extremely hard; “He even was able to hold his breath under water for three minutes,” Yolanda shared. However, one week before his training would end and he would be able to graduate, he got “water on the knee.” This is when you have excess fluid in and around your knee joint. He immediately went to the doctor and they drained his knee, which is supposed to relieve the pain. However, there are strict requirements to become a Navy Seal, and any health issues will jeopardize your chances. Having learned of this injury, he was immediately told he could not train or go any further in becoming a Navy Seal. “He was a very happy-go-lucky type of person… I don’t think I have ever seen him mad,” Yolanda shared. This news did not discourage Acevedo. He ended up becoming a Yeoman in the Navy where he served for four years. When he came back home, he settled down, got married and had a baby girl. Over a couple years’ time, he ended up getting a divorce and got re-married to his wife Amelia Acevedo, who was pregnant with his second child. Unfortunately, in 1979, at 33 years old Acevedo and his daughter, who was four years old at the time, got into a car accident and were both killed. They are bother buried at the cemetery in Colton. “It was a short life, but a very happy one,” Yolanda shared. With being one of 12 children, who were all very close, Acevedo’s military banner installation was filled with family and friends who all miss him dearly. Yolanda mentioned that it was a very emotional day, mainly because their older brother Richard couldn’t make it. Of 12 siblings-five boys and seven girls-one girl and three boys have passed. Richard just recently passed away from cancer in May of this year. According to Yolanda, Richard and Acevedo were very close. “All of us are close, but Richard and Arthur were just much closer,” Yolanda said. “It was a very happy occasion, honoring Arthur, but we just wish Richard could have been there to see it.” She shared that Acevedo loved teaching his nieces and nephews how to drive since he was very patient with kids. “He could talk to anyone, young and old, it didn’t matter. His personality and his charisma is probably why everyone always seemed to like him.” Even though, Acevedo had a shorter life than most, Yolanda mentioned, “He enjoyed life to the fullest... he made every minute count.”