EL PASO, Texas (KFOX14/CBS4) — A yearslong effort to build a new veterans memorial in Fabens, Texas, culminated in a ribbon-cutting ceremony celebrating what organizers described as a tribute meant to honor service members far beyond the local community.
El Paso County marked the completion of the Fabens Veterans Memorial on Friday at Fabens Veterans Park on PFC Fernando Gutierrez Street in Fabens.
County officials said the event honored men and women who have served in the United States Armed Forces and included an afternoon of activities for the community.
David Sublasky, chairman of the Fabens Veterans Park Committee, said the memorial was the result of “a 12-year plan, if you will, or shall we say a 12-year effort.”
“Yes, we’re celebrating a grand memorial that was constructed here in Fabens, Texas,” Sublasky said. “It’s not just for Fabens. It’s a grand memorial for veterans from across the nation and certainly from across this region.”
Sublasky said the project received a $900,000 grant from the Economic Development Administration, with the county matching the grant with $222,000.
The memorial includes a 70-foot flagpole for the U.S. flag, Sublasky said, along with 35-foot flagpoles for each military branch flag. He said the U.S. flag on the main pole is 12 feet by 18 feet, and each branch flag is six-foot by 10-foot.
Sublasky said the committee contacted an architect in 2017 for an initial concept.
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Among those attending was Thomas Gonzalez, a Marine Corps veteran from Fabens who said he came to represent the Marine Corps and had followed the project’s progress for years.
“I’m very proud that the committee came together and built this shrine here for everybody to come and visit,” Gonzalez said.
Asked whether the memorial met his expectations, Gonzalez said, “It’s beyond my expectations. It looks really good.”
Gonzalez said he served in Desert Storm and Somalia. He also said his son and daughter paid to have his name included at the memorial.
Seeing his name included among others at the memorial, Gonzalez said, “I feel honored to be a part of this brotherhood.”
The memorial honors all six branches of the U.S. Armed Forces: the Army, Marine Corps, Navy, Air Force, Space Force, and Coast Guard.
El Paso County said the project was identified as a key initiative in the county’s Parks and Recreations Mater Plan under Action 2.2.11.
The memorial represents a $1.123 million investment, including a $900,000 federal grant awarded through the U.S. Economic Development Administration following an application submitted by El Paso County Water Control and Improvement District No. 4.
Fabens Veterans Park is located on PFC Fernando Gutierrez Street, formerly listed as 602 4th St. NE, Fabens, TX 79938.
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