The Caldwell County Judge Hoppy Haden and Commissioners issued a Proclamation Commemorating the 17th Anniversary of the Death of U.S. Army Private First Class Kristian Menchaca.
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, and during his Job Corps training Kristian Menchaca, an inspiring young man, volunteered his time and talents at a number of local events, including the Sights and Sounds of Christmas, and Chisholm Trail Roundup, while demonstrating respect for others and admirable commitment to his goals which exemplify the Job Corps.
Upon Graduation from Gary Job Corps Kristian joined the Army, in 2006 while 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.
In 2019 Texas Highway Department designed a portion of Texas State Highway 21 between Highway 80 and Yarrington Road as the “PFC Kristian Menchaca Memorial Highway”. 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 to our country.
