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

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.