Under Construction:
The San Benito Veterans War Memorial is nearing completion with just days left before it reaches its final stages of construction. (Staff photo by Francisco E. Jimenez)
By FRANCISCO E. JIMENEZ
Staff Writer
reporter@sbnewspaper.com
The San Benito Veterans’ Memorial is nearing completion after nearly 10 years in the works.
“Since the beginning we’ve always said that we need to be patient because we’ve already waited this long,” said Veterans Advisory Board Chair Victor Garza. “It’s already been a few years that we’ve been waiting; a few days longer won’t hurt. Our main concern is for it to be done correctly, and that all the pieces of it are erected so that they won’t be falling apart. Sometimes when you work too quickly, those things happen. So we’ve been really patient about it.”
According to Garza, a committee was appointed by Joe Hernandez in December of 2001 when Hernandez was serving as a city commissioner. The first meeting was held in January of 2002.
“It was April 6, that’s when the meetings started with the contractor (B.J. Garcia with Garco Construction) and when they were going to start,” said Garza. “Stuff had to be ordered, like equipment, flagpoles, lights, and things of that nature. Once they figured out when all that stuff could be brought in, that’s when they started scheduling as to when we could come in and start turning dirt over. I remember our Memorial Day last year when we had equipment out there from the contractor.”
For more on this story, pick up a copy of the Feb. 20 edition of the San Benito News. Or view our E-Edition by clicking here.
1 comment
I’m very happy that the city has taken an interest in preparing a memorial to honor those in our community, even if it has taken some time. One item I must speak about is the choice of words our city officials utilize. “Stuff”, that sounds to me like this memorial is being referred to as something that has no importance. “Stuff” was ordered for the Veteran’s Memorial, rather than MATERIALS THAT WOULD BEAUTIFULLY BE DISPLAYED TO HONOR OUR VETERAN’S IN THE SAN BENITO COMMUNITY. I believe that the mannerism in which the San Benito Representatives speak is what allows others to make judgments of the people who reside in San Benito.