City urged to honor local war heroes with memorial

During a recent city council meeting, a passionate plea was made for the establishment of a formal tribute to local war heroes, particularly those who have received the Congressional Medal of Honor. The speaker, a military veteran with 31 years of service, highlighted the lack of recognition for six distinguished individuals who once lived in El Paso and earned this prestigious award.

The veteran emphasized the need for a dedicated commission or committee to explore ways to honor these heroes, noting that current memorials, such as \"Flags Across America,\" are not widely visible or accessible to the public. He expressed concern that the city has not adequately told the stories of its local military history, which includes notable figures like Marcelino Serna, the highest decorated Texan from World War I, and Isaac Amacho, the first POW of the Vietnam War.

The speaker pointed out existing memorials in the city, including a monument to Company E and various war memorials at Calendar Park, but criticized the lack of distinct recognition for different conflicts. He argued that the city should do more to honor its veterans and suggested that the council should prioritize discussions about creating a new memorial that reflects the contributions of these local heroes.

The initiative has garnered support from several veterans' organizations, including the Legacy of Valor, which has endorsed the project. The speaker urged council members to engage with the community and bring this important issue to the forefront of city discussions, emphasizing the need for a memorial that aligns with the city's rich military history and honors the sacrifices made by its veterans.