FORT HOOD, Texas — After roughly 80 years, Fort Hood is recommended to renamed following new legislated guidelines, ABC News reports.
Fort Hood, named after Confederate General John Bell Hood, could be renamed after Richard E. Cavazos.
Cavazos was the first Latino to reach the rank of a four-star general in the U.S. Army.
The name was suggested to the Commission by the League of United Latin American Citizens.
"We are very excited and we are looking forward to history being written, with ink, where you mention a Latino that has succeeded and has accomplished so much in his life.” said AnaLuisa Tapia, LULAC District 17 Director. "There is so much of our military history that can not be denied and we are just proud of that fact and thankful for an opportunity out Latino history that has impacted the military."
LULAC has bee fighting for years to get more recognition for Hispanic-Americans who served in America's Armed Forces.
"Going on 8-years. So, this has been a long struggle to recognize of General Cavazos and what he did for this country." said LULAC National President, Domingo Garcia.
ABC News is also reporting that the following eight military bases could be renamed as well:
- Fort Rucker in Alabama
- Fort Polk in Louisiana
- Fort Benning
- Fort Gordon in Georgia
- and Fort A.P. Hill, Fort Lee and Fort Pickett in Virginia
To be renamed, both Congress and Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin must approve the new recommendation.
Last year, Congress passed legislation that required that all U.S. military installations named after Confederate leaders be renamed by 2023.
New honorees will largely include veterans of color, female veterans and former President Eisenhower.
