A Couple's Story Goes Deeper Than Their 60-Foot Palm Tree by Helena Mitchell - City News Group, Inc.
View Upcoming Events View Your Local Sales

Community Calendar

◄ NOVEMBER ►
S M T W T F S
27 28 29 30 01 02 03
04 05 06 07 08 09 10
11 12 13 14 15 16 17
18 19 20 21 22 23 24
25 26 27 28 29 30 31
View Events
Submit Events
directory

A Couple's Story Goes Deeper Than Their 60-Foot Palm Tree

By Helena Mitchell, Editor
August 20, 2014 at 01:37pm. Views: 268

Husband and wife duo Pete and Darlene Petersen can often be spotted around the communities of Colton, Grand Terrace, San Bernardino, and surrounding areas going out of their way to help and support others. The couple has lived in Grand Terrace since 1972. When they first moved to the community, Pete shares that the palm tree in their front yard was about 20 feet tall, the same height as a their flag pole near their mail box. Later that tree grew to a whopping 60 feet, holding the title as the tallest palm tree in Grand Terrace, according to Pete. In April, an unfortunate bout of lightening struck the base of the palm tree, along with the Petersens' neighbor's house, shutting down the TVs at both residences as a result, and later killing the once healthy palm tree. Pete and Darlene recently had the top of the palm cut off and transformed the once-60-foot record-breaker into a new record-breaker: a 60-foot wood flag pole, running a 100 foot rope up and down the tree. While the couple currently flies an American Flag on their 20-foot flag pole 24/7, illuminated by a dusk to dawn yard light, Pete looks forward to flying the Flag at half-mask on appropriate occasions on his new 60-food, wood flag pole. The Flag that the couple flies is the exact flag that was flown over the US Capital on Aug. 12, 2012, at the request of former Congressman Joe Baca, in honor of Pete Peterson's service to God, country, and family. CPL Neil E. “Pete” Petersen, served in the Korean Conflict from 1952 to 1954 as a Heavy (Earth moving) Equipment Operator in Bordeaux, France and an instructor in Frankfort, Germany. In 1954, he returned to loading bombs for Korea at the Sioux Ordnance Depot in Sidney, Nebraska and married Darlene Anderson, who helped him through college on his GI Bill. In 1957 he worked for the Oldsmobile Dealership and in 1968 opened Quality Automotive where he retired from in 2004. Since 1977, Petersen taught at SBVC where he helped over 1,000 men and women through their auto repair technology studies. Darlene, who has battled colon cancer and is currently in remission, has participated in the Colton Relay for Life for a number of years, and like all things, her husband has been by her side attending, participating, and taking videos. Together they are both involved heavily in their church, Colton Christian Church, where they have been attending for a number of years. Together they have 3 children, a slew of grandchildren, and even more great-grandchildren. Until you see them again in the community, drive through Grand Terrace and look up to see their once palm tree, now flag pole, and let their story of service and their bond serve as inspiration.

Related Articles

Photo Courtesy of: coltonca.gov

By Margie Miller, Publisher City News Group

October 28, 2026 at 06:00am. Views: 826

One of the most visible projects Navarro wants to advance is the city’s planned sports complex. He lists its development among his major accomplishments and says residents should evaluate another term partly by whether the city breaks ground and completes project phases. Read more about Mayor Frank Navarro...

Photo Courtesy of: Grand Terrace City Council

By Doug Wilson, Councilmember, Contributing Writer

October 28, 2026 at 06:05am. Views: 712

Councilman Doug Wilson, serving Grand Terrace since 2014 Speaks out about why he feels Grand Terrace residents deserve to know the facts about Measure “N,” the proposed one-percent sales tax initiative on the ballot this November 3rd.

Photo Courtesy of: The CARE Project inc.

By Carl M. Dameron, Contributing Writer

October 20, 2026 at 03:09pm. Views: 940

Photo caption: The CARE Project’s Vice President, Diana Jaurigue, with President & Founder Carrie Madrid, who is wearing the LympheDIVAS compression sleeve on her left arm. Donated compression garments help manage swelling and are essential to daily care for many breast cancer survivors.

Photo Courtesy of: Feeding America Riverside | San Bernardino

By Rachel Bonilla, Community Writer

October 27, 2026 at 02:37pm. Views: 400

Feeding America Riverside | San Bernardino (FARSB) has once again partnered with ALDI for their annual volunteer event, where team members packed over 1,300 food boxes with various shelf-stable items to be distributed for disaster relief as needed.

Photo Courtesy of: CIty News Group

By Ruby Stephenson, Community Writer

October 20, 2026 at 04:11pm. Views: 2155

An October 2026 study from Loma Linda University suggests a simple dietary change may influence inflammation-related measures in older adults. A bowl of walnuts sits alongside a nutritious breakfast, illustrating the everyday dietary choice examined in Loma Linda University research.

Photo Courtesy of: AI-generated by ChatGPT

By Stella Pierce, Community Writer

October 28, 2026 at 06:00am. Views: 707

Families enjoy a Halloween trunk-or-treat gathering with decorated vehicles, pumpkins and festive costumes. Grand Terrace has scheduled its 2026 Trunk or Treat celebration for October 31

Photo Courtesy of: coltonca.gov

By Margie Miller, Publisher City News Group

October 28, 2026 at 06:00am. Views: 909

Colton councilmember John Echevarria wants to expand his outreach to residents throughout the city, strengthen partnerships with county, state and federal officials, and build upon what he describes as a record of employee advocacy, neighborhood improvements and community involvement.Learn more about John Echevarria...

Photo Courtesy of: City News Group - AI Illustration

By Hattie Strong, Community Writer

October 27, 2026 at 02:38pm. Views: 388

Loma Linda University Children's Health Specialty Clinics, a new five-story, 105,000-square-foot facility designed to bring more than 21 pediatric specialties together. The facility is expected to begin serving patients in early 2027.This is an AI-generated illustration, not a verified photograph of the actual building.

Photo Courtesy of: https://wellri.com

By Stella Pierce, Community Writer

October 27, 2026 at 02:38pm. Views: 346

An October City announcement draws attention to an everyday household practice with benefits for food budgets, kitchen safety and the environment. A basket of fresh produce can represent a week's worth of meals, the results of a successful backyard harvest or an unexpected bargain at the grocery store. Yet without proper storage, even the freshest fruits and vegetables can spoil before a family has an opportunity to use them.

Photo Courtesy of: City News Group - AI Illustration

By Ruby Stephenson, Community Writer

October 27, 2026 at 02:38pm. Views: 575

An October announcement highlights how investigative technology and cooperation among law enforcement agencies can help solve crimes affecting Grand Terrace neighborhoods. For residents of Grand Terrace, home is more than an address. It is where families gather, children grow up and neighbors build relationships over many years. When a residential burglary occurs, the effects can extend beyond the property taken or damage caused. A crime inside someone's home can undermine the sense of security that makes a neighborhood feel safe.

Photo Courtesy of: City News Group - AI Illustration

By Amanda Spencer, Community Writer

October 27, 2026 at 02:38pm. Views: 351

The rumble of a commercial truck passing through a city can represent two very different things. For a business awaiting a delivery, it may signal the arrival of essential supplies. For residents living near a busy roadway, it may raise concerns about traffic, noise and safety. In Grand Terrace, finding a reasonable balance between those interests is at the center of an ongoing transportation planning effort.

Photo Courtesy of: City News Group

By Amanda Spencer, Community Writer

October 20, 2026 at 03:49pm. Views: 800

Secure drop box is located outside the Grand Terrace Library, on the west end of the Civic Center building at 22795 Barton Road. According to the City, it will remain accessible 24 hours a day, seven days a week, until 8 p.m. on Election Day, Tuesday, November 3. The San Bernardino County Registrar of Voters is responsible for operating the box, collecting ballots and transporting them for election processing.

--> -->