Killeen sailor’s funeral is next week; public welcome

The funeral for Navy Sailor John Hoagland who died on board the USS John McCain will be held Thursday at the Central Texas State Veterans Cemetery.

Visitation hours are 9 a.m. to 10 a.m. at the Heritage Funeral in Harker Heights at 425 E. Central Texas Expressway. The Killeen Daily Herald reports that Hoagland's Mother plans to start a scholarship fund with the Killeen Independent School District in his honor.

John was one of the soldiers found dead inside the USS John McCain after it collided with an oil tanker. Hoagland was a graduate of Shoemaker High School. 

The public is invited to attend the funeral at the State Veterans Cemetery. We send out thoughts and prayers to John's mother and family. Just looking at the photo above, it's clear Johns mother was very proud of her son and loved him very much.