What to know
The event was led by Shenandoah City council member Frank Robinson, who thanked the city for approving the new veterans memorial park at 149 Pine Forest Drive. The keynote speaker was retired Brig. Gen. John C. Hafley, who is also the Montgomery County Court at Law No. 1 judge.
“The freedom we enjoy is extremely special, and that is why we must defend it. So now is the time to not only honor those who have fought or are fighting for our freedom, it is also the time for each of us to take part in protecting it,” Hafley said.
“Today, we come together, not only to commemorate this new memorial, but more importantly, to pay tribute to the men and women who have served our country and to honor the sacrifices they and their families have made in defense of our freedoms,” Shenandoah Mayor John Escoto said.
How we got here
In March, the City Council approved the $800,000 for the design and construction of a new veterans memorial park, as previously reported by Community Impact.
The park layout has metal plates for etching the names of city veterans.
Additional park features approved during the meeting included:
- A statue of the “battlefield cross”
- Life-sized soldier steel silhouettes
- Guardrail lighting
- Beacon lights for military flags
- U.S. flag
- Texas flag
- City of Shenandoah flag
- Prisoner of War/Missing in Action flag
