Fresno City College Honors Veterans With Ceremony

William Coleman received the 2026 Citizen Soldier Award at the Veterans Day ceremony held Wednesday at Fresno City College.

Updated on Nov. 5, 2026 in Awards

Photograph of a single American flag on a tall pole before a plain sandstone campus building under clear autumn daylight, with dry lawn and a tree behind. — Fresno City College honored veterans Wednesday at a Veterans Day ceremony, presenting William Coleman with the 2026 Citizen Soldier Award. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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Fresno City College held a Veterans Day ceremony at 11 a.m. Wednesday in the Old Administration Building Auditorium to honor veterans. Dr. Terry Rommereim, a military chaplain, served as keynote speaker, and William Coleman received the 2026 Citizen Soldier Award.

Why it matters

The ceremony brought veterans, active military, students and community members together ahead of the Veterans Day holiday. It recognized service members and the campus support that helps veterans in Fresno.

The ceremony began at 11 a.m. in the Old Administration Building Auditorium, and keynote speaker Dr. Terry Rommereim served as a Veterans Affairs chaplain for almost 40 years. Coleman's 22 years of U.S. military service were cited as he received the honor.

The players

Fresno City College

A public community college in Fresno, California, which hosted the ceremony and runs the Veterans Resource Center.

William Coleman

A veteran with 22 years of service in the United States military who received the 2026 Citizen Soldier Award and is heavily involved in the college's Veterans Resource Center.

Dr. Terry Rommereim

A military chaplain who served as Veterans Affairs chaplain for almost 40 years and delivered the ceremony's keynote address.

The details

The program opened with a presentation of colors and a history of Veterans Day, and Angelica Sanchez performed "America the Beautiful." Echo Taps was played, and Veterans in Military Chaplaincy were especially recognized during the event.

Wednesday, November 4, 2026: Veterans Day ceremony held at 11 a.m. at Fresno City College.

Cultural Continuity

Campus-based Veterans Day ceremonies like this one continue the tradition of the federal observance established under the 1954 act renaming Armistice Day. Recognizing individual honorees such as Coleman keeps that observance tied to local veteran communities.

Fresno residents can see how campus veteran resources and recognition programs support local former service members. Students and community members who want to engage with veteran services can connect through the college's Veterans Resource Center.