San Benito veterans are shown in attendance of the opening dedication of the new San Benito Veteran’s War Memorial on Monday. (Photos by T.J. Tijerina)
By FRANCISCO E. JIMENEZ
Staff Writer
reporter@sbnewspaper.com
The high-pitch screeching of police sirens and the low rumble of motorcycles indicated that the many San Benito veterans on Monday, July 4, were making their way to the new Veteran’s War Memorial in observance of its inauguration.
This occurred just a day after the City of San Benito celebrated its centennial at the ResacaFest and 235 years after the founding fathers signed a document establishing a new nation, one that that each of the veterans marching down Sam Houston Boulevard fought to protect.
Independence Day had come.
“I’m elated to see so many of you here. I feel so safe,” joked Mayor Joe H. Hernandez as he welcomed a standing room only crowd to the dedication ceremony. “It is an honor to be here before all of you veterans. It is indeed a privilege and an honor to deliver this welcome to you on behalf of the City of San Benito, elected officials and staff. I consider this a jewel within the city.”
The San Benito Veteran’s War Memorial, which is located at 151 E. Rowson St. off of Sam Houston Boulevard, was designed to resemble, more or less, the original railroad depot with its Spanish architecture. It was the same depot in which San Benito soldiers throughout the years stopped before heading to war, for many it was their last time in the Resaca City.
Among those in attendance, hidden in the sea of fellow veterans was Amadeo Valenzuela, a highly decorated World War II veteran who survived both D-Day and the Battle of the Bulge.
“We are here, of course, to dedicate this beautiful memorial,” said Navy Captain Walt Wilson, son of Lieutenant Commander Charles Wilson. “Today also happens to be our Independence Day. Today we celebrate our freedom and commemorate those who died for our freedom.”
The Veteran’s War memorial has been in the works for approximately 10 years. Members of the San Benito Veterans’ Advisory Board, including Chairman Victor Garza, Vice Chairman Charlie Wilson, Ovidio Gonzalez, Sandra Tumberlinson and Pilar Vega worked tirelessly to make the idea a reality.
“It’s awesome because you see all of the veterans, their eyes twinkle when they say ‘Wow, this is what they were planning,’” said Garza after the dedication ceremony had concluded. “A year ago here, there was nothing. We were standing on sod basically. There was nothing here. Now we’ve done what we needed to do. They’ve seen the vision we had. We’re close to what the model depicted, and I’ve heard nothing but positive things from our community and that’s all we can ask for.”
Mayor Hernandez read a statement marking the official dedication of the memorial towards the end of the ceremony.
“Regardless of political opinions, we have always supported our United States veterans, and the strong desire to build a fitting memorial that so beautifully tells the history of our community and our pride in our servicemen and servicewomen,” said Hernandez during the dedication.
“Now, I, Mayor Joe H. Hernandez, on behalf of the City Commission of the City of San Benito, do hereby dedicate this San Benito Veteran’s War Memorial to the memory of all our United States military personnel who so bravely served this county, and most of all, to those who gave the supreme sacrifice in service to their country.”
Garza recognized the veterans in attendance from World War II to Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan and Operation Iraqi Freedom, not to mention the Vietnam War.
“It means a lot, it means that the people haven’t forgotten us,” said Art Nowakowski, who served in the Army during World War II and survived D-Day. Originally from Illinois, Nowakowski moved to San Benito in 1945. “I hope the future generations realize what we did so that they could stay free. (The memorial) is very imposing. It’s a great piece of work. It’s a credit to San Benito.”
“It means that the people remember us for who we are and what we did,” said Serapio De La Rosa, a former city commissioner from 1968 to 1970 who served with the Army during the Korean War. “This is a big remembrance for all of us.”
Even though the dedication ceremony was held on Monday, the Veterans’ Advisory Board plans to continue adding to the memorial. Among the additions that are set to see daylight are granite memorials which will feature the names of servicemen and women who were either killed in action or missing in action from San Benito and the surrounding area. The memorial will also see the addition of a bronze eagle and the statue of a serviceman waiting for a train to take him to war.
To see this story in print, pick up a copy of the July 6 edition of the San Benito News. Or view our E-Edition by clicking here.
1 comment
its a wonderful memorial but please fix the caliche roads so people can get there to appreciate it