Family and Friends Honor Coltonite Edward Cornejo for His Service

Coltonite Edward F. Cornejo was honored with a military banner installation ceremony on March 3 as a myriad, about 50 to 60, of his family members and friends gathered at the corner of Citrus and Rancho in Colton to honor him for his service. Cornejo, born and raised in Colton, was drafted into the Army on December 12, 1967 where he served as a combat demolition expert with Bravo Company, 4th Engineering Battalion of the 4th Infantry Division in Vietnam. During his service, Cornejo accomplished and earned various accolades, such as: sharpshooter expert, the Army Commendation Medal, Vietnam Service Medal with two Bronze Stars and the Vietnam Campaign Medal with 1960 device. Before Cornejo was drafted, he actually tried to enlist into the military twice but it was never successful until he was officially drafted in December of 1967 as he served for a total of two years and one month. He explained that during that time, all of his friends were enlisting into the service and he really wanted to join, as well. Cornejo married his wife Celia “Sally” Cornejo in Honolulu while he was on R&R, “rest and recuperation." They currently still live in Colton and now have five children: Ralph, Salvador, Lisa Garcia, Edward Jr., and Arnold Cornejo, plus 12 grandchildren, and eight great grandchildren. “The ceremony was really wonderful, we had so much family there,” Celia shared. Cornejo’s sister came out from Arizona to join the family to honor him, as well as Celia’s brother. “Ms. Medina (from the City Clerk’s Office) did a great job,” she added. According to Cornejo, he knew that his family was getting him something in honor of his service; however, he didn’t really understand what it was exactly. When his family showed him his very own military banner, he was pleasantly surprised. “I couldn’t be happier that my own flag is hanging up there…I’m incredibly honored,” Cornejo added. His family shared that he exemplified courage as he fought for his country, family, and brothers in arms. According to Cornejo, his granddaughter read a brief article during his banner installation ceremony that highlighted milestones throughout his career in the service and throughout his lifetime.