A portion of SH 21 will soon be dedicated as Private First Class Kristian Menchaca Memorial Highway.
Menchaca, originally from Brownsville, entered the service from Gary Job Corps Center, where he earned a GED and completed the security officer program. He was killed following an insurgent attack south of Baghdad, Iraq, on June 16, 2006, and was the first person from Hays County to be killed in Operation Iraqi Freedom.
“I really appreciate what you have done,” Randolph Goodman, a U.S. Navy veteran of the Vietnam War who was Gary’s business liaison at the time of Menchaca’s death, told the Hays County Commissioners Court following their vote.
“Mr. Goodman approached me with this request,” said Pct. 1 Commissioner Debbie Gonzales Ingalsbe. “He really has done a lot.”
She said the $5,000 required for the sign and installation has been raised from private donors.
“I just thought this was a good way to honor Mr. Menchaca’s service to our country while also remembering and recognizing the education he got at Gary Job Corps, which is a place where individuals can come and learn.”
Rachel Garnes, business community liaison director, said the money came from several sources. Gary Job Corps Center put up a portion of it; members of the Kyle community donated $850 and a donor who requested anonymity put in $1,000 in memory of his mother. The Caldwell County Commissioners Court also contributed some funding, Garnes said.
Menchaca was posthumously awarded the Bronze Star, Purple Heart and Prison of War medals.
The PFC Kristian Menchaca Memorial Highway will be along Hwy. 21 between SH 80 and Yarrington Road.
The text of the resolution is as follows:
WHEREAS, June 16, 2019, marked the 13th anniversary of the death of U.S. Army Private First Class Kristian Menchaca of Brownsville, providing a fitting opportunity to reflect on his life and his service to his county; and
WHEREAS, assigned to the 1st Battalion, 502nd Infantry Regiment, 2nd Brigade, 101st Airborne Division, Private Menchaca was killed following an insurgent attack on a U.S. Army checkpoint south of Baghdad, Iraq and was posthumously awarded the Bronze Star, Purple Heart, and Prisoner of War medals; and
WHEREAS, before enlisting in the army, Kristian Menchaca furthered his education by attending the Gary Job Corps Center in San Marcos from September 2004 to February 2005, earning a GED certificate and completing the security officer program. During his training he volunteered his time and talents at a number of local events including the Sights & Sounds of Christmas festival. An inspiring young man, he demonstrated respect for others and an admirable commitment to his goals, thereby exemplifying the Center’s core values; and
WHEREAS, willing to lay down their lives in the service of their fellow citizens, the men and women of the U.S armed forces demonstrate exceptional courage, honor, and love of country, and time can never diminish the profound debt that all Americans owe to Kristian Menchaca for the challenge he undertook and the immense sacrifice he rendered; and
WHEREAS, the limits of the memorial designation will be for eastbound traffic on SH 21 near the Hwy 80 intersection and for westbound traffic on SH 21 near the Yarrington Road intersection;
NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Commissioners Court of Hays County does hereby support designating a portion of State Highway 21 as the Private First Class Kristian Menchaca Memorial Highway.
