A family in Las Cruces wanted to build a memorial at Veterans Park to honor their daughter who died there after being hit by a man in a truck that was backing out of a parking lot.
The parents told KFOX14 they wanted their daughter to be remembered for the sweet girl she was.
In April 2022 Adrian and Tessa Gonzalez lost their daughter Auriella Autumn Gonzalez in the parking lot of Veterans Park and wanted to build a memorial for her at the park to honor her.
"Her beautiful soul our little girl she’s so sweet...she gave the best hugs as soon as she wrapped her little arms around you every ugly thing in this world just faded away and she just brought joy to everyone around her," said Adrian Gonzalez.
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"We’re trying to make this park not be a terrible place for us to come visit we don’t wanna forget the things that happened here," said Adrian Gonzalez
"To keep our baby girl's memory alive she deserves that she deserved a full life and the least we can do is honor her," said Tessa Gonzalez.
But the Veterans Advisory Board did not allow that.
"Every memorial in here is a veteran she’s not a veteran the little girl so their request was denied," said Hubert Gay a member of the Veterans Advisory Board.
Hubert Gay, a member of the VAVA said they had complete control over what memorials were built in the park.
"It’s frustrating because it feels like our child doesn’t matter just because she is not a veteran it’s like they are dismissing her," said Tessa Gonzalez
"The veteran's advisory board is pretty persistent on the fact that she did not serve well I don’t know any 18-month-olds that wear the uniform," said Adrian Gonzalez
Gay told KFOX14 the city offered them another location.
"No, we want it here this is the last place she saw this is the last place she played walked smiled she deserves it she deserves a memorial for her," said Tessa Gonzalez.
Adrian actively served in the military.
He said they originally wanted to have a bench and a placard with her name but now both parents wanted a monument honoring the family members of active duty members and veterans.
"We would like it to be dedicated to honoring all the dependents but in memory of our daughter," said Adrian Gonzalez.
Both parents told KFOX14 they would keep fighting to have that memorial created for her at the park.
"We won’t give up Ella we won’t give up," said Tessa Gonzalez.
"I’m never gonna stop even if I have to get on the board myself and wait for time it’s not just for Ella now it’s bigger," said Adrian Gonzalez
The couple asked the community for support and encouraged people to attend the Veterans Advisory Board meetings.
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