KILLEEN - The National Mounted Warfare Foundation has been working to build a museum in Killeen since 2011. Called the Mounted Warriors Museum, it would preserve the life stories of dozens of soldiers both from Fort Hood and beyond. National Mounted Warfare Foundation Vice President Bob Crouch said those stories may soon be lost.
"Every soldier has a story, and unfortunately a lot of those stories go untold. We can't afford for that to happen," Crouch said. Right now we're loosing about 600 World War II veterans a day. Once those veterans are gone, the ability to catch their stories are gone with them."
The 66,000 sq.ft. museum would tell those stories with touch-screen walls and tables. To get to phase 1 and start construction they will need to raise a total of $38 Million. The foundation has $18 Million so far.
After a presentation at the Killeen City Council in April, the council has now passed a resolution of support for the project. Mayor Scott Cosper, who has only a week left in his term, said it's a must-do project.
"It's important to me that as councils and mayors come and go, that there is a codified document that says the City of Killeen is behind this project," Cosper said. "We want potential donors and the community to know that the central Texas community is committed to this project."
Crouch said that support from the city is something that big donors will want to see before making a commitment. He said project already has donated land for the museum and the logistics on getting stories and vehicles to display figured out. They just need the other $20 Million to start construction.
