Lady of Guadalupe Church displays new Veteran’s Memorial Monument

TOPEKA, Kan. (WIBW) - Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church unveiled its Veteran’s Memorial Monument following years of postponing.

They were set to showcase the monument back in 2020 but Covid-19 concerns forced them to reschedule, and then again in 2021.

Topeka Mayor Mike Padilla said Mexican-Americans of Topeka are important to this community and it’s important to honor those who served. He credited the community’s work to get the memorial officially there.

“They’re active, they keep involved and they don’t give up. During the Covid crisis that challenged the monument to make it here into Topeka, it didn’t slow down the committee,” he said. “They continued with their work, frustrating as it was, and brought it here.”

Governor Laura Kelly officially named May 5, 2022, as the dedication day for the memorial. She recognized Mexican-Americans’ efforts to get the monument to Topeka.

“Service, dedication, sacrifice. That is what this memorial symbolizes,” she said.

Archbishop Joseph Naumann and Father Peter Jaramillo of the Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas gave speeches and prayers as well.

Father Jaramillo said many on the Lady of Guadalupe veteran’s committee come from the Vietnam War era.

“It was time when a lack of appreciation for our nation’s veterans and these men gave thanks to almighty God for their service and were grateful to come back home alive and so thus the inspiration for this monument is the story that they tell,” he said.

They’re all proud to see it dedicated after years of waiting.

“This symbolically preserves an outstanding time of awareness when we have so many challenges in our own time, it says look at what the Mexican-American people have done, continue to do, and are proud of their history and love for this country and love for the church,” said Father Jaramillo.

You can visit the memorial at 201 Northeast Chandler Street. The memorial is on the south side of the building facing NE Atchison Ave.

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