Visitors exploring the grounds near the soon-to-be-opened Tobin Performing Arts Center may have come across a new military memorial added last week.
The brainchild of former Mayor Phil Hardberger, the Medal of Honor River Portal was finally realized when officials unveiled the monument the day before Independence Day.
“You know, it really is unique,” said Bexar County Judge Nelson Wolff.
The portal has seven granite pylons with brass plaques telling the stories of 32 war heroes who demonstrated bravery above and beyond the call of duty. On hand for the dedication, Wolff said the memorial itself has been given a place of honor to be sure it gets lots of attention, right by the river at the Tobin Center.
“You’ve got a couple of choices," Wolff said. "You can just walk up the stairs from the river, or you can kind of weave in and out and look at the memorial that we have there. It states their name, why they won it, a little short story about them. It’s just a real beautiful view from the river on up."
The path continues to the Vietnam, Korean War and World War I memorials. It’s a fitting place for the war memorials. Wolff said the Municipal Auditorium, which is being transformed into the new Tobin Center, was originally built as a memorial to American soldiers killed in World War I.
