On February 19th, U. S. Representative Chet Edwards and III Corps Commander General Thomas Metz joined with VFW officials Mike Barber, Alexander Vernon and Buck Buchannan, Texas Land Commissioner Jerry Patterson and Killeen Mayor Maureen Jouett to officially transfer 174 acres of land at Ft. Hood to the Texas Veterans Land Board for use as a State Veterans Cemetery. The transfer of federal land was authorized by Edwards’ Texas Field of Honor Act, approved by the U.S. House and Senate last year and included in the 2003 Defense Authorization Act.

“Our Central Texas veterans, who have made so many sacrifices for our nation, have long deserved an eternal resting place near their homes and loved ones,” said Edwards. “They have earned a hallowed ground where their service to our country will never be forgotten.”

Edwards introduced legislation last March to provide a faster way than the normal process to convey federally owned land for a state cemetery,. Normally, it can take months, or even years. The full House and Senate approved his legislation in November.

"I know the more than 100-thousand veterans in our area, who have long dreamed of a Central Texas veterans cemetery, deeply appreciate the fine work of Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison, who sponsored this legislation in the Senate and moved it quickly through the legislative process.”

Edwards began meeting last summer with Secretary of the Army Tom White, who agreed to begin the necessary environmental studies even before the legislation passed.

“I will continue working closely with the Veterans Administration to see that construction funding for the cemetery is in place.”

On February 19th, U. S. Representative Chet Edwards and III Corps Commander General Thomas Metz joined with VFW officials Mike Barber, Alexander Vernon and Buck Buchannan, Texas Land Commissioner Jerry Patterson and Killeen Mayor Maureen Jouett to officially transfer 174 acres of land at Ft. Hood to the Texas Veterans Land Board for use as a State Veterans Cemetery. The transfer of federal land was authorized by Edwards’ Texas Field of Honor Act, approved by the U.S. House and Senate last year and included in the 2003 Defense Authorization Act.

“Our Central Texas veterans, who have made so many sacrifices for our nation, have long deserved an eternal resting place near their homes and loved ones,” said Edwards. “They have earned a hallowed ground where their service to our country will never be forgotten.”

Edwards introduced legislation last March to provide a faster way than the normal process to convey federally owned land for a state cemetery,. Normally, it can take months, or even years. The full House and Senate approved his legislation in November.

"I know the more than 100-thousand veterans in our area, who have long dreamed of a Central Texas veterans cemetery, deeply appreciate the fine work of Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison, who sponsored this legislation in the Senate and moved it quickly through the legislative process.”

Edwards began meeting last summer with Secretary of the Army Tom White, who agreed to begin the necessary environmental studies even before the legislation passed.

“I will continue working closely with the Veterans Administration to see that construction funding for the cemetery is in place.”

(L- R) Lt. Gen Tom Metz, III Corps Commander; Mike Barber, VFW District 14; Alexander Vernon, former VFW State Commander; Buck Buchanan, VFW Post 3892; Texas Land Commissioner Jerry Patterson; Congressman Chet Edwards; Killeen Mayor Maureen Jouett