State and local leaders gathered in Killeen on Oct. 30 to commemorate the expansion of the Central Texas State Veterans Cemetery.
KILLEEN, Texas — Leaders from the State of Texas and Bell County gathered in Killeen on Thursday, Oct. 30 to commemorate the groundbreaking for an expansion of the Central Texas State Veterans Cemetery.
The expansion will reportedly add new crypts, cremation plots and more over a nearly 20-acre space, and is expected to make room for over 11,000 additional veterans over the next decade.
The expansion will also reportedly include a second Committal Shelter, grading, drainage, irrigation and other infrastructure, and will commemorate the Space Force as the sixth branch of the military.
“Having your loved ones be able to rest near your family is very important,” said Texas Land Commissioner and Veterans Land Board Chairwoman Dawn Buckingham. “In fact, one of our speakers said this is a family cemetery. It may not be a family bound by blood, but it’s a family bound by service.”
Buckingham was one of many state and local leaders at the groundbreaking, joined by VLB Executive Secretary Tony Dale, Congressman John Carter, State Senator Pete Flores, State Representative Brad Buckley, State Representative Hillary Hickland, Bell County Judge David Blackburn; Bell County Commissioner Louie Minor and Killeen City Manager Kent Cagle.
The space for the veteran’s cemetery was originally donated by the federal government in 2006. The cemetery was built in collaboration with the State of Texas and Veteran’s Affairs.