Texas Heroes Museum Wants to Add Memorial

Charlie Murray, the manager of the Texas Heroes Museum, asked the Fayette County Commissioners Court for permission to erect a memorial at the Old Fayette County Jail in La Grange.

Murray said the memorial would honor Texas veterans who died in combat, especially those from recent wars. The memorial would be located in the empty field to the north of the Old Jail, which is owned by the County.

“Our plan is unique as it is dedicated strictly to Texas veterans and focuses on post-Vietnam veterans,” Murray said. “Most of our visitors are older. The Vietnam War – that was our war. But that was 50 years ago. We need something to make veterans relevant to younger people.”

Murray said the memorial would include a series of plaques with names of Texans who were killed in combat.

“It’s about 2,000 people since Vietnam,” Murray said.

Murray said the memorial could become a tourist attraction for La Grange and possibly generate economic activity and sales tax for the County.

“That’s not solely our interest – the money it will bring in,” said County Judge Joe Weber. “I think I speak for everyone of these commissioners: all Texans who have given up their lives in combat are extremely important to us.”

Murray said the final design has not yet been completed. Berckenhoff raised a concern about the nationwide wave of antagonism toward some monuments and statues. Murray said the memorial he proposes would not include any statues of people.

Murray said he is seeking a grant to fund the project. As part of the grant application, Murray said he needed a letter from the Commissioners granting permission to use the property for a memorial. Commissioners voted unanimously to authorize Weber to sign a letter granting permission to build the memorial.