Colony High Honors Veterans at 11th Annual Event
Roughly 100 military veterans shared their service stories with students at the Colony Commemorates event in Ontario, California.
Updated on Nov. 13, 2026 in Civic
Colony High School hosted its 11th annual Colony Commemorates event on November 5 in the school gymnasium, where approximately 100 military veterans met with groups of students. Groups of four or five students sat with each veteran to hear their stories and ask questions.
Why it matters
The event gives students in Ontario direct contact with people who served in the military and a chance to learn about service firsthand. It also reflects the school's sustained commitment to recognizing veterans in the local community.
The event has run for 11 consecutive years, with approximately 100 veterans taking part in this year's gathering. Attendance figures for students and the total number of participating students were not reported in the source.
The players
Colony High School
A public high school in Ontario, California, part of the Chaffey Joint Union High School District.
Mathew Holton
Superintendent of the Chaffey Joint Union High School District, which oversees Colony High School.
Gil Zendejas
A U.S. Air Force veteran who has served on the Chaffey Joint Union High School District Governing Board since 2018.
The details
Veterans discussed their military experiences and the lessons they carried into civilian life. Among the participants was Chuck Pane, 84, who served in the U.S. Army's 101st Airborne Division out of Fort Campbell, Kentucky.
Timeline
November 5, 2026: Colony Commemorates event held in the school gymnasium
2018: Gil Zendejas began serving on the Chaffey Joint Union High School District Governing Board
Season Trajectory
The 11th annual Colony Commemorates marks a decade-plus run of direct student-veteran exchanges at the school. Its continuity places this year's gathering within a longstanding local tradition of veterans recognition.
Students and families in the Chaffey Joint Union High School District can attend or follow future Colony Commemorates events at the school. The event is held in person in the gymnasium, so access depends on being part of the school community.
The takeaway
Programs that bring veterans and students together in person can create lasting connections across generations. Community members interested in veterans recognition can look to school-based events like this one as a model.
Further reading
Explore more local civic news for Ontario residents.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Daily Bulletin.
