HALLSVILLE, Texas — In the next two years, East Texas is expected to be home to the nation’s newest – and the region’s first – cemetery for veterans.

Debra Christian has donated 63.5 acres of land near Hallsville to become the East Texas State Veterans Cemetery, and $16 million in federal funds have been allocated for the project. Christian is in the process of donating the land to the Texas Veterans Land Board. The land is south of Interstate 20 along FM 968.

Bidding for construction work is expected to begin Oct. 1, 2026, Harrison County Judge Chad Sims said. He said he expects to see “good movement” on the project in the next two years.

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