Rep. Metcalf Announces $7 Million For Veterans Memorial Park

CONROE, TX — Texas Representative Will Metcalf announced $7 million was secured through the state budget process to help fund the next phase of Montgomery County Veterans Memorial Park during a news conference at the park Tuesday.

The next phase of the park, located near Interstate 45 and Highway 105, will be to add a multi-story educational visitors center to promote patriotism and honor current, former and future service members.

Retired U.S. Marine Corps Cpl. and former Montgomery County Judge Jimmie Edwards said that the funding moves the project forward "by years."

"This park is a gift from Montgomery County to the people of this nation," said Edwards, who is the chairman of the Montgomery County Veterans Memorial Park Commission. "And the appropriations Will has successfully gotten will certainly make this gift an even greater gift. ... We have been legitimized by the state of Texas."

Metcalf also announced that the Texas Department of Transportation will install signage for the park along Interstate 45.

Metcalf, who represents Texas House District 16, authored HB 1158, which calls for the inclusion of nonprofit organizations on highway signs. The bill passed the House of Representatives and, according to Metcalf, got the Texas Department of Transportation's attention.

"I want to thank Judge Jimmie Carl Edwards, Chairman of the Montgomery County Veterans Memorial Commission, and his team, particularly Executive Director Janeen McSwain and Director of Public Relations and Outreach, Howard Wood, for all their help in getting needed information to my office throughout this process during the legislative session," Metcalf said in a Facebook post.