Terry De La O Honored with Military Banner

Local Army Veteran Terry De La O was honored, on June 2, with a military banner installation ceremony for his long-term service. Although born in Rosemead, Calif., De La O moved to Colton in 2009. He enlisted into the Army in 1989 and was active duty for six years, until 1995, where he served as a Staff Sergeant in Unit 1-144 FA (Field Artillery). He then served the Army National Guard from 1995 until 2013. During this time, he was also working with the Department of Corrections from 2005 while simultaneously serving in the Army National Guard until 2013. “He took a lot of pride in serving his country,” Maryanne Chavez shared. The only reason he retired from the National Guard was due to medical reasons. De La O hurt his shoulder and needed surgery. He currently is still working within the Department of Corrections at Ironwood State Prison in Blythe, California. His girlfriend she shared, “He absolutely loves his job.” Although it takes him about two-and-a-half hours just to get to work, Chavez shared that it keeps him busy and he still loves what he does. She added, “He’s such a hard worker, always eager to lend a helping hand and without expecting anything in return.” Chavez and her family thought it would be a great honor to install De La O’s own banner to have it displayed among the Colton community. However, the entire plan was to keep it a secret and surprise him the day of the installation ceremony. “I lied. I told him that we were going to my doctor’s appointment,” she explained, chuckling. “He didn’t realize we weren’t going until he saw family and friends standing together on the street. He immediately turned to me and said ‘what’s going on?’” Chavez shared that he doesn’t show his emotions that easily so when she saw his reaction as he got the first look of his banner, she knew he was pleasantly surprised. “He was so shocked, he even got a little choked up. That means a lot too because it’s hard to get emotions out of him,” she explained. “He’s so proud that he served his country...we all are.” Many of his family members including his siblings, grandchildren, and more, were there to support him on the special day. However, Chavez said that some of his instrumental supporters, like his two children, were not able to attend due to work. It was still a proud yet emotional day for De La O and the myriad of his family and friends, present or not.