KILLEEN, Texas — Downtown Killeen is celebrating local veterans with its Hometown Heroes banner program, a tribute that displays the names and photos of service members along city streets. This year, 60 banners honor veterans like Calvin Coler, a retired Army Command Sergeant Major whose service spanned more than 30 years.

Coler, a New Orleans native now living in Killeen, said he was surprised to see his banner. “I was shocked,” he said. “I was in the military for 30 years, one week and three days.” He described enlisting as a life-changing decision that helped him rise out of poverty and find direction in life. “The military helped me. I came out of the projects. I always kept faith. I knew what direction I wanted to achieve but I didn't know how I was going to do it. I just chose the m

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