The first of two houses are demolished, April 29, in celebration of funding for new housing projects, which will give Fort Hood 600 new homes. (U.S. Army photo by Blair Dupre, Fort Public Affairs)

Army senior leaders joined with representatives of Lendlease Inc., the parent company of Fort Hood Family Housing, to begin the process of replacing nearly 600 homes in Chaffee and McNair Villages during a ceremony at Fort Hood April 29.

The project is part of a $1.1 billion renovation effort that will target six posts throughout the Army.

Fort Hood received the lion’s share of the allocation, with nearly half — $420 million — of the funds being awarded to the Great Place.

Lt. Gen. Douglas Gabram, the U.S. Army Installation Management Command commanding general, was one of the guest speakers at the ceremony. Before giving thanks to his civilian partners and the Fort Hood community, Gabram paused to reflect on his own time at Fort Hood.