The Central Texas Veterans’ Memorial has made great strides since construction efforts were initiated over a decade ago. The project, headed by Army veteran and retired ophthalmologist, Dr. Steve Kelly, saw a concentrated effort late last year with public fundraising starting in April 2015.

And though the memorial is now firmly established in the Camp Bowie exhibit, it’s not finished yet.

“I would like to envision, along with this memorial, playgrounds for our children,” said VFW Post 3278 Commander James Masters. “Because it is our duty as citizens of the republic to instill patriotism in our children. Nothing is better than children playing on the playground and asking ‘what is that’ and then you bring them to the memorial and explain it to them.”

Masters spoke of looking to the future during a Veterans Day ceremony held on Friday, November 11th at the Central Texas Veterans’ Memorial in Brownwood. Speakers during the ceremony included Brownwood Mayor Stephen Haynes, Early Mayor Robert Mangrum, and Congressman Mike Conaway.

The memorial incorporates more than a dozen new granite markers listing 259 Brown County residents who died in World War I, World War II, Korea, Vietnam, Iraq and Afghanistan.

Brandi Burkett and her son, Mason, were present during the ceremony. Brandy’s late husband and Mason’s father, Donald Allen Wesley Burkett, is listed among the names of Brown County servicemen who gave their lives in Iraq and Afghanistan.

“I appreciate this. It lets us know he’s not forgotten,” said Burkett as she stood near the memorial.

Donations are still being accepted, and may be mailed to the Central Texas Veterans’ Memorial, in care of Citizens National Bank, PO Box 1629, Brownwood TX 76804. Donations are also accepted online on this GoFundMe site: https://www.gofundme.com/ctvmemorial