An American Bison eating grass on the prairies.

Press Releases

Voices of Veterans: Seaman First Class L.D. Cox Shares His Story of Service with the U.S. Navy Aboard the USS Indianapolis

Today, Texas Land Commissioner and Veterans Land Board (VLB) Chairwoman Dawn Buckingham, M.D., is proud to introduce the next installment of the series highlighting the VLB's Voices of Veterans oral history program. In this special episode, we highlight the service of a Veteran who sailed aboard the USS Indianapolis and survived the ship's sinking. Today, we hear the story of U.S. Navy Veteran Seaman First Class L.D. Cox and his experiences aboard the USS Indianapolis and after its tragic sinking.Cox was born on a farm in Sidney, Texas. Read More


Voices of Veterans: SSgt. William Yoss Shares His Story of Service in the U.S Army

Today, Texas Land Commissioner and Veterans Land Board (VLB) Chairwoman Dawn Buckingham, M.D., is proud to introduce the next installment of the series highlighting the VLB's Voices of Veterans oral history program. In this episode, we hear the story of U.S. Army Veteran William Yoss. William Yoss, who served in the U.S. Army and was assigned to the 45th Infantry Division, was born on December 26, 1930, in McAlester, Oklahoma. He grew up with both his parents and one brother. Read More


VOICES OF VETERANS: SSGT. WILLIAM YOSS SHARES HIS STORY OF SERVICE IN THE U.S ARMY

Texas Land Commissioner and Veterans Land Board (VLB) Chairwoman Dawn Buckingham, M.D. introduces the next installment of the series highlighting the Voices of Veterans oral history program. Listen to the story of U.S. Army Veteran William Yoss. Read More


Voices of Veterans: Lieutenant Laura Koerner Shares Her Story of Service with the U.S. Navy

Today, Texas Land Commissioner and Veterans Land Board (VLB) Chairwoman Dawn Buckingham, M.D., is proud to introduce the next installment of the series highlighting the VLB's Voices of Veterans oral history program. This week, we highlight the service of Lieutenant Laura Koerner who served in the U.S. Navy.At only 17,and having never been to the ocean, Koerner attended the United States Naval Academy and was at the top of her class throughout her time in school. Read More


Voices of Veterans: Cmdr. James Groesbeck Shares His Story of Service with the U.S. Navy

Today, Texas Land Commissioner and Veterans Land Board (VLB) Chairwoman Dawn Buckingham, M.D., is proud to introduce the next installment of the series highlighting the VLB's Voices of Veterans oral history program. This week, we highlight the service of Cmdr. James Groesbeck, who served in the U.S. Navy during WWII and the invasion of France.James Groesbeck, who served in the U.S Navy for 22 years and took part in the amphibious landings at Sicily and Southern France was born May 26, 1921, in El Paso, Texas. Read More


Voices of Veterans: Private First Class Buster Lee Bailey Shares His Story of Service in the U.S. Army Air Force

Today, Texas Land Commissioner and Veterans Land Board (VLB) Chairwoman Dawn Buckingham, M.D., is proud to introduce the next installment of the series highlighting the VLB's Voices of Veterans oral history program. In this episode, we hear the story of Private First Class (PFC) Buster Lee Bailey.Bailey was born and raised in Dallas, Texas. He enlisted in the U.S. Army Air Forces in 1946 and attended boot camp at Fort Sam Houston in San Antonio, Texas. Read More


Voices of Veterans: Capt. Gerald Groden served with the Royal Air Force During WWII as a Lancaster Bomber Pilot

Today, Texas Land Commissioner and Veterans Land Board (VLB) Chairwoman Dawn Buckingham, M.D., is proud to introduce the next installment of the series highlighting the VLB's Voices of Veterans oral history program. In this special episode, we highlight the service of Capt. Read More


Voices of Veterans: Corporal Max Vasquez Shares His Story of Service in the U.S. Marine Corps

Today, Texas Land Commissioner and Veterans Land Board (VLB) Chairwoman Dawn Buckingham, M.D., is proud to introduce the next installment of the series highlighting the VLB's Voices of Veterans oral history program. In this episode, we hear the story of Corporal Max Vasquez of the U.S. Marine Corps.Vasquez was born in Laredo in 1948, and his family moved to Corpus Christi when he was 12. At just 17, Vasquez enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps, saying, " There was no doubt in my mind I had to do my duty for this country. Read More


Voices of Veterans: SFC Johnny McNeil Shares His Story of Service in the U.S. Army

Today, Texas Land Commissioner and Veterans Land Board (VLB) Chairwoman Dawn Buckingham, M.D., is proud to introduce the next installment of the series highlighting the VLB's Voices of Veterans oral history program. In this episode, we hear the story of SFC Veteran Johnny McNeil of the U.S. Army.Born and raised in Kingville, South Carolina and played sports throughout his youth, earning a football scholarship to Morris College, a private Baptists historically black college in Sumter, South Carolina. Read More


Voices of Veterans: Brig. Gen. Robin Akin Shares Her Story of Service on Women's Veterans Day

Today, Texas Land Commissioner and Veterans Land Board (VLB) Chairwoman Dawn Buckingham, M.D., is proud to introduce the next installment of the series highlighting the VLB's Voices of Veterans oral history program. In this episode, we hear the story of Brig. Gen. Veteran Robin Akin of the U.S. Army.Akin was born in Nashville, Tennessee and grew up in a single-parent household with three brothers. Akin said she is proud of how things turned out for her, as the only high school and college graduate in her immediate family. Read More