Today, Texas Land Commissioner Dawn Buckingham, M.D., announced that the Veterans Cemetery Coalition of East Texas delivered over 4,500 petition signatures supporting a future Texas State Veterans Cemetery in that area. The Coalition's original goal was 3,000 signatures, which they dramatically exceeded.
"As VLB Chairwoman, my top priority is to ensure Texas Veterans are taken care of from the time they become Military Members to when they are honorably laid to rest," said Commissioner Buckingham. "More than 32,000 Veterans in the East Texas Region need a Texas State Veterans Cemetery closer to their homes to secure their right to be buried with the dignity befitting their sacrifices. I thank the Veterans Cemetery Coalition of East Texas for their tireless work to support a future Texas State Veterans Cemetery in the area. I look forward to working with the Coalition and other Veterans organizations to ensure East Texas Veterans and their families can access every benefit of VLB's beautiful cemeteries."
Land Commissioner Dawn Buckingham, M.D., with VLB Executive Secretary Tony Dale, Director of Texas State Veterans Cemeteries John Kelley, and Steve Lowe, Jim Snow, and Charlotte George of the Veterans Cemetery Coalition of East Texas
On December 18, 2024, three members of the Coalition, Steve Lowe, Jim Snow, and Charlotte George, traveled to Austin, Texas to meet with Commissioner Buckingham and present their petition signatures. This effort began in April 2023 when Steve Lowe sent Commissioner Buckingham a letter of introduction and support.
The East Texas region is home to over 32,000 unserved Veterans and their families. An “unserved” Veteran lives over 75 miles from a state or national Veteran Cemetery. The Veterans Cemetery Coalition of East Texas was formed in 2024 to help expand public support for a Texas State Veterans Cemetery in the area to serve these honorable Veterans.
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