Fundraiser benefits highway memorial signs

A GoFundMe fundraiser page created by Bandera ProRodeo is less than $2,000 away from reaching its $6,000 goal, with money raised going toward paying for signs designating a portion of Highway 173 as Master Sergeant Rodney Lee Buentello Memorial Highway.

The signs would be constructed and erected by the Texas Department of Transportation at the beginning and end of an approximately seven-mile stretch of the highway in honor of MSGT Buentello, who died after saving two teenagers from drowning on June 8, 2016.

Buentello retired from the military after 20 years as a Marine, with his service including three tours in Iraq and another in Afghanistan and two Purple Heart awards.

Those interested in donating can do so online at gofundme.com/f/msgt-rodney-lee-buentello.

All extra funds raised will go toward the Buentello family, according to the fundraiser’s page.

The highway dedication project started as resolutions from the Bandera County Commissioners Court and the Bandera City Council.

Those resolutions were sent to Rep. Andrew Murr, who coauthored a bill Rep. ina Minarez that was sponsored by Senator Dawn Buckingham. The bill was passed unanimously.

“Please help us with this effort,” concludes the GoFundMe description. “This is something the Bandera Community can do to keep alive and honor MSGT Buentello’s memory and heroism.”