RIVIERA, Texas —
Friday marks two years since the tragic shooting that killed 21 people at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde.
While people all around the country are remembering that tragic day, there's one community in the Coastal Bend that is doing something special to help keep those names alive.
Community Baptist Church doesn't get more than 20 people attending their Sunday service, but pastor Lupe Aguilar says it's small but mighty.
Though Aguilar has no relation to Uvalde, after the tragedy, he wanted to do something to help people remember the names of those that passed.
When heading south on US HWY 77, you'll find that small church and a memorial dedicated to the 19 students and two teachers that lost their lives in the tragic shooting at Robb Elementary in Uvalde.
"I kind of figured I want it somewhere like where it's at because of the traffic that is going and coming. I think it would be just appropriate where it is so people can see it as they're going south," Pastor Lupe Aguilar said.
Aguilar says it didn't take him long to come up with the idea for the memorial.
"The reason why we built it is because it can happen anywhere. The school is right here. The school is not far from the church, and, you know, it's things that happen like that every day in one form or another," he said.
With help from the Coastal Bend Fellowship Church in Kingsville, the small congregation in Riviera was able to make Aguilar's vision a reality.
“The way the people that got hurt, got killed, I mean it's something that you'll never forget. Through this we can build them up to where they can find a little comfort and peace in their lives."
Though he's the man with the vision, Aguilar says it wasn't just him or even the volunteers that are to credit for the memorial.
"You know, the lord always puts things in your mind, and it's through the holy spirit that helps us, gives us the wisdom and what is required to build what he wants you to build. It's what he wants, not me. He put it in my heart."
While the memorial is up, the job isn't done just yet. Aguilar says the congregation has plans to make a small garden in front of the memorial and add lights so that people can see it at night.
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