Jo’lene Saldivar was chosen as Veteran of the Year; additional Veterans of Distinction were honored at the ceremony.
(FONTANA)— On Thursday evening, Majority Leader Eloise Gómez Reyes (D-Colton) honored Veterans of Distinction from the 50th State Assembly District in the Inland Empire, which she represents, and named her annual Veteran of the Year. Jo’lene Saldivar earned the top recognition, which is tied to the California State Assembly’s Annual Veteran of the Year event. Saldivar graduated from Colton High School before serving six years in the United States Air Force. During her two deployments, she earned several military honors and awards. She is now a Ph.D. student at University of California, Riverside and passionately recruits and retains individuals from historically underrepresented groups into STEM.
“Being a veteran is more than just the work you did during your service,” said Reyes at the event. “It is a brotherhood and sisterhood of brave people who chose to place service above all else. For that we thank you, your community thanks you and we come together to celebrate you.”
“I’m honored to be the 50th Assembly District’s Veteran of the Year,” Saldivar tweeted on Friday morning. “My fellow nominated veterans are doing amazing work in their communities in addition to their impressive military service. I am humbled and inspired.”
Visit a50.asmdc.org/photo for pictures of Saldivar and all Veterans of Distinction, provided by the office of Majority Leader Reyes. A more detailed version of Saldivar’s biography is provided as the caption. Biographies for all honorees are available upon request.
Assemblymember Eloise Gómez Reyes is the Majority Leader of the California State Assembly, representing Assembly District 50, which includes the cities of Colton, Fontana, Loma Linda, Ontario, Rancho Cucamonga, Redlands and San Bernardino, as well as unincorporated Bloomington.
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