The Greater Killeen Chamber of Commerce will host joint celebrations this Saturday starting at 9 a.m. The events are to bring light to Fort Hood-Central Texas Region as a Great American Defense Community, and to officially unveil Interstate 14 signage. Everyone is invited to attend at the Central Texas College Anderson Campus Center.

The Association of Defense Communities awards the designation of Great American Defense Communities to recognize outstanding support of military installations. The communities are evaluated by efforts to improve quality of life of service members and their families. Areas looked at include education, employment, housing, deployment support, and as community appreciation.

Fort Hood is one of eight communities selected for 2017. GADC Vice President Bill Parry will present Great American Defense Community flags to the county judges of Bell, Coryell, and Lampasas counties. The mayors of Belton, Copperas Cove, Gatesville, Harker Heights, Killeen, Lampasas, and Temple. And of course to Lieutenant General Paul Funk who will be representing Fort Hood.

Gulf Coast Strategic Highway Coalition Graphic
Gulf Coast Strategic Highway Coalition Graphic
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Also Saturday morning Congressman John Carter, and Congressman Roger Williams will be joined by state and local officials as they unveil the first Interstate 14 signs to be installed on the former highway, US 190.

More information about the Gulf Coast Strategic Highway Coalition is available online at gulfcoaststrategichighway.org.

The 25 mile stretch from Cove to I-35 is the first segment to be designated Interstate 14. When it's all said and done the interstate will run from El Paso, Texas to Savannah, Georgia. How old your great grandchildren will be when it's finished is anyone guess.

Now the question is this: how long until Google Maps recognizes I-14?

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