The Mexican American World War II Committee and the Lyon County History Center unveiled the Alvin King Memorial plaque in downtown Emporia Tuesday afternoon, just ahead of Veterans Day.
Community members, veterans and civic leaders gathered in the history center to hear a brief history of the man who coined the national holiday before the plaque’s unveiling– a feat that took committee member Jesse Solis years to accomplish.
Though Solis never served in the military, he’s no stranger to honoring veterans in Emporia.
Through his efforts with the committee, Solis said he erected the Mexican-American World War II Veterans Memorial at St. Catherine’s Catholic Church.
Having this plaque honor King and all the veterans who’ve sacrificed to serve the country, Solis said, is incredibly important given Emporia’s namesake as the founding city of Veterans Day.
As a naval veteran who has lived in Emporia for the better part of his life, Ed Rathke said Tuesday’s unveiling felt like a long-overdue celebration for King.
The Alan King Memorial is on display at 723 Commercial St. in downtown Emporia.
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- Jesse Solis admires King’s plaque in downtown Emporia. Photo by Hasina Shah | KVOE News
