Restore the monument — it’s the right thing
By Elmer Eugene Maestas
With regard to Museum Director Maria Sanchez-Tucker’s recent piece (“Broken obelisk exhibit is meant to educate,” My View, Oct. 11), I must say that I agree with Virgil Vigil’s piece (“Soldiers’ Monument display at museum must tell whole story,” My View, Sept. 27).
For too long in Santa Fe and New Mexico, our Spanish/Hispanic history, culture, traditions and legacy have severely been diminished, and our political leaders and media know better but have virtually been protecting and/or siding with what I see as anti-Hispanic radical activists. These “protectors” surely now include our flagship New Mexico History Museum.
Here, I must make the following observations: The museum exhibit of our Santa Fe Plaza’s once flagship Soldiers’ Monument was not only a dismal and an embarrassing sight, but reflected poorly on a historic, prideful and once very friendly City of Holy Faith — or as it was originally named: La Villa Real de la Santa Fe de San Francisco de Asís.
Beginning with the administration of former Mayor Alan Webber, our dear old prideful and beautiful City of Holy Faith has been allowed to be steadily taken down by those who wish us ill.
Historic and meaningful monuments have been severely damaged and/or destroyed; statues have been covertly removed; other statues, religious and holy objects or art have been sneakily smeared with red paint (handprints).
Serious threats have been made to re-demolish any repaired/replaced statues and monuments by some activists. This is shameful.
A leading and strong-minded Santa Fe news media columnist wrote of these dismal, destructive period happenings under Webber’s tenure as “outlaws who were given free rein on the Plaza aren’t about to pose for police mug shots,” and, “the criminals who wrecked the obelisk were delighted with their violent takeover of the Plaza. So were their apologists; and, Webber’s police department allowed crimes to go unchecked in light of day. The perpetrators might still be laughing at him;” and, “The only view that mattered on the Plaza (of everyone’s views), were those of lawbreakers who destroyed the 152-year-old obelisk.”
Now, the end of the story. Do the right thing, new Mr. Mayor. Restore and replace our grand Soldiers’ Monument — the obelisk. (Maybe the former mayor can pitch in, and rightly so, to alleviate the costs to the taxpayers.) And from here on out, no one should baby the criminals.
Elmer Eugene Maestas is a retired author specializing in New Mexico history.
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