Court approves adding two names to Kerr County War Memorial

The Kerr County Commissioners Court approved the War Memorial Committee’s recommendation to add two names to the county war memorial: Charles Victor “Chuck” Kompka and Javier Gonzalo Paredes.

Why it mattered: Both men are alumni of local schools and were described by local educators and veterans’ advocates as service members who died in the line of duty in Iraq. The additions follow previously adopted eligibility criteria set by court order number 32930.

Details: County staff told the court the two men met the memorial’s criteria and that the memorial has room to accommodate additional names. The War Memorial Committee requested permission to accept donations and to use existing veteran service office funds—approximately $122 at the time of the meeting—to pay for the inscription. Bobby Templeton, superintendent of Ingram ISD, addressed the court in support of the additions and read brief biographies for both men, noting Kompka’s service with a Naval Construction Battalion and Paredes’s posthumous awards including the Purple Heart and Bronze Star.

Court action: A commissioner moved and the court unanimously approved adding the two names to the memorial. The court also allowed staff to accept donations and pursue a budget line for future name additions.

Ending: County staff will proceed with the inscription process and may apply donated funds toward the cost; the court approved adding the names and asked staff to manage funding and engraving details.