Killeen City Council approves November 5 memorial

The Killeen City Council approved the location, name, and design of a memorial to the victims of the November 5 Fort Hood shooting.

In a 6-1 vote on Tuesday, June 8, 2010, the Fort Hood November 5, 2009 Memorial is set to be built on acreage between the Shilo Inn and the Killeen Civic and Conference Center and consist of a 60-foot wide pavilion with 13 columns made of granite and limestone.  SPJST is spearheading the project.

Salado artist Troy Kelly released illustrations that show the pavilion surrounded by trees with a flag pole inside the limestone structure.  The individual monuments for the 13 victims will include mementos which will be chosen by family members of the fallen.

SPJST State Field Representative Hiram Dixon came up with the idea for the memorial shortly after the shooting.  “It’s important that it’s an opportunity for healing to take place, for the families, and families, and members that were wounded, or the community itself,” he told news media.

Supreme Lodge President Brian Vanicek said, “What we’re hoping to do is be the catalyst that puts the private sector and public sector to contribute and make this project happen.”

Maintenance and cost estimates of the memorial pavilion are currently undetermined.  Killeen Civic and Conference Center Director Connie Kuehl told the council that SPJST has collected $36,000 with $25,000 more in pledges. 

SPJST and the city will work together on large fundraisers, and they plan to not only cover construction costs but also maintenance costs once the memorial is built.

The Fort Hood November 5, 2009, Memorial will be made possible through the generous support and donations of businesses, public and private entities, schools, churches, youth groups, and everyday men, women, boys, and girls.  It will be a living memorial to those who died and a testimony to the beauty that can be achieved when we work together.  SPJST is spearheading the project.  If you or your group is interested in contributing time, energy, or monetary support to this effort, please email Hiram Dixon or call him at (254) 773-1575 for details.

You may mail checks made payable to:

Fort Hood November 5, 2009 Memorial

c/o SPJST Home Office

PO Box 100  •  Temple, Texas  76503

Thank you for your kind support.

Wednesday, February 10 - Thanks to everyone who attended the press conference officially announcing the project at the Killeen Civic and Conference Center.  Special thanks to KCEN-TV, KXXV-TV, KNCT-TV, and Killeen Daily Herald who also attended and reported on the event. Thanks to Temple Daily Telegram for their publicity.  Click here to see the television clips.

Friday, March 5 - A planning meeting was held at 10 a.m. at Killeen Civic and Conference Center.