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El Paso Gold Star Families seek $50,000 county donation for memorial adjacent to Vietnam Veterans Memorial
Summary
El Paso Gold Star Families presented a proposed memorial at the Old Glory Memorial site, described design and budget of $625,500 and requested a $50,000 county donation; the court heard the presentation and did not commit funding at the meeting.
Representatives of the El Paso Gold Star Families presented a memorial proposal to the Commissioners Court on Jan. 23 seeking county support for a monument to military service members who died in service. Dolores y Duarte Valenzuela (presented as Dolores y Fuarte, Valenzuela in the record), president of the El Paso Gold Star Families Memorial, described the project and requested a $50,000 donation from the county.
Valenzuela said the proposed location is the Old Glory Memorial at 9550 Gateway North Boulevard, adjacent to the county’s Vietnam Veterans Memorial, and that the group aims to complete the work by September 2026. The board’s presentation outlined a bas‑relief bronze sculpture approximately 11 feet high and 10 feet wide, with six emblems representing military services and six scenes showing aspects of military service, family loss and remembrance. The memorial budget presented to the court was $625,500. Valenzuela asked the court to consider a $50,000 contribution to the project.
Commissioners and the court discussed potential funding sources and the county’s veterans programs funding policy (agenda item 4G, discussed later in the meeting). County officials and the presenters noted existing sponsor commitments and planned fundraising events, including an open house at the Flags Across America Old Glory Memorial planned for March (date dependent on construction). Board members in the meeting identified themselves and their personal connections to fallen service members.
Judge Samaniego and commissioners responded with personal remarks and support for the concept but made no appropriation or formal pledge on Jan. 23. County staff told the group they would follow up; the memorial board said the artist has limited availability for this commission and expressed sensitivity about timing.
Ending: The court received the presentation and did not take formal funding action at the Jan. 23 meeting; county staff indicated they would follow up on next steps and possible sources of support.
