Politics & Government
Peruvian National Hero Honored in Lake Forest Park
A bronze bust of the Peruvian Admiral Miguel Grau Seminario is now located in Animal Acres Park.
If you’ve walked through Animal Acres Park lately, you may have noticed a small bronze statue mounted in the grass.
In honor of Lake Forest Park’s 50th Anniversary, the statue of Peruvian Admiral Miguel Grau Seminario was a donation presented from the Peruvian Consulate, Miguel Velasquez, whose offices are in Lake Forest Park.
Frank Zenk, head of the Public Works Department, arranged for the bust to be delivered to Lake Forest Park. With the fundamental involvement of the Lake Forest Park Rotary, the statue was installed on June 6.
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Seminario became accustomed to the sea at a young age, learning the ropes by the age of ten. When he was 19, he entered the Peruvian Navy as an officer candidate. Though his naval career began early in life, it wasn’t until much later that his outstanding reputation was earned.
As a result of a conflict between Chile and Bolivia over land covered in minerals, the War of the Pacific commenced in 1879 when Seminario was 45 years old. Behind the scenes, Bolivia and Peru established a defensive pact, hauling Peru into the war.
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Despite the fact that he was outnumbered, Admiral Seminario was successful in sinking many Chilean vessels and attacking ports. His nickname, “El Caballero de los Mares” or, “The Knight of the Seas” however, was amplified through his admirable humanitarian conduct. As ships sank, he made sure to rescue any survivors in hopes of preventing an excessive loss of lives.
Because of Admiral Seminario’s triumphs at sea, the Chilean navy made it their top priority to eliminate him as a threat. After six months of pursuing him, he was killed during the Naval Battle of Angamos in 1879.
Nominated as “Peruvian of the Millennium” in 2000, Seminario is acknowledged as the Peruvian national hero by the citizens of Peru.
The Peruvian Navy is currently creating a plaque to place on the statue, which will arrive in early August. The city of Lake Forest Park plans to dedicate the bronze bust of Admiral Seminario as soon as the plaque has arrived. There will also be a celebration held later in the summer to honor the bravery and service of Admiral Miguel Grau Seminario.