FORT HOOD, Texas (July 24, 2015) -- Ground was broken in Killeen this week for a memorial to the victims of the November 5, 2009 Fort Hood shooting that left 13 dead and 31 wounded.
Troy Kelley, an artist from Salado, Texas, designed the memorial, which will be built next to the Killeen Civic and Event Center. Kelley created a sculpture to honor each of the 13 killed in the shooting, using objects and symbols that were dear to them. The sculptures will be placed on black granite columns around the perimeter of the memorial, which will also feature a pyramid in its center with an American flag flown from its peak.
Esteemed guests at the event included III Corps and Fort Hood Deputy Commanding General, Maj. Gen. Kendall P. Cox, the current and former mayors of Killeen, survivors of the shooting, families of the lost, and first responders.
"The November 5, 2009 shooting was a violent act of terror," said Joleen Cahill, widow of Chief Warrant Officer 2 (Ret.) Michael G. Cahill, who was killed while trying to stop the shooter.
"It will be placed in American history alongside the Oklahoma City Bombing and 9/11. This memorial will honor the 13 fallen, our 31 wounded, and all who were there at the [soldier readiness processing center] that day - from the staff to the first responders to the crime scene investigators. This is a tragedy that this country must remember."
"It's been a labor of love," said Kelley. "Each sculpture represents an individual. Please go ahead and touch them. Eventually, the favorite places to be touched on the objects will become shiny."
Organizers hope to have construction of the memorial completed by the end of the year.
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