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Galena resident urges council to reconsider placement of Civil War generals on levee
Summary
Ulysses S. Grama told the Killeen council he helped start a public‑art project and asked the city to reconsider where nine Civil War generals' statues are placed on the levee, citing historical ties to specific buildings and heavy pedestrian traffic at a key intersection.
Ulysses S. Grama urged the City of Killeen to reconsider where nine Civil War generals' statues will be placed on the levee, saying the locations are historically important and should be visible to visitors.
"Once you get to the top of the levee, you have full access to the entire length of the levee," Grama said, arguing that E. Lee Parker — whom he described as the engineer responsible for the historic post office finished in 1859 — should have his statue placed in front of that building. Grama also said Ulysses S. Grant should stand near the Hermann Colesat Bridal with his park behind him so the figure would greet tourists and residents.
Grama told the council that Terry Miller funded the project and that he himself “brought this entire program to light.” He asked the council to reconsider a plan to place five statues north of the bridge and four south of it, and asked to be allowed to introduce the nine generals during a ceremony.
Mayor (presiding) reminded Grama of the three‑minute public‑comment limit; Grama completed his remarks and thanked the council.
The council did not take immediate action on Grama’s request during the meeting. The comment is preserved in the public‑comment record and may be considered if the city returns to placement decisions for the public‑art project.
