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Photos by Harvey Raab
October 27, 2022
Officials gather for highway dedication
By Jessica Nohealapa’ahi
The Bandera Prophet
Local officials, as well as family and friends, attended the dedication of the Master Sergeant Rodney Lee Buentello Memorial Highway, held today at Bandera City Park.
On June 8, 2016, Buentello, of San Antonio, jumped into the river to save two teenagers who fell into the water while walking across the dam. He rescued the teenagers, but was unable to reach the surface after and drowned. Buentello served 20 years in the Marines, completing four combat tours - one in Afghanistan and three in Iraq, and received two Purple Heart awards.
The seven-mile highway dedication, which begins at the bridge at Bandera City Park to the Medina County line, is the result of a collaborative effort that crossed political boundaries, sponsored by Representatives Murr (R) and Ina Minjarez (D), and Senator Dawn Buckingham (R), with Bandera County Attorney Janna Lindig at the helm. The vote passed with unanimous votes.
“It gives us all an opportunity to recognize Master Sergeant Buentello's heroism, which should be recognized for all eternity here in Bandera,” Lindig said.
On June 8, 2016, Buentello, of San Antonio, jumped into the river to save two teenagers who fell into the water while walking across the dam. He rescued the teenagers, but was unable to reach the surface after and drowned. Buentello served 20 years in the Marines, completing four combat tours - one in Afghanistan and three in Iraq, and received two Purple Heart awards.
The seven-mile highway dedication, which begins at the bridge at Bandera City Park to the Medina County line, is the result of a collaborative effort that crossed political boundaries, sponsored by Representatives Murr (R) and Ina Minjarez (D), and Senator Dawn Buckingham (R), with Bandera County Attorney Janna Lindig at the helm. The vote passed with unanimous votes.
“It gives us all an opportunity to recognize Master Sergeant Buentello's heroism, which should be recognized for all eternity here in Bandera,” Lindig said.