Today, Texas Veterans Land Board (VLB) Chairman George P. Bush released the following statement celebrating the Department of Veterans Affairs’ (VA) announcement awarding $1.1 million in grant funding for additional expansion improvements to the Abilene Texas State Veterans Cemetery.
“Once again, the VA has decided to invest in Texas Veterans,” said Chairman Bush. “Honoring our Veterans in their final resting place is a task the Veterans Land Board takes with sincerity and pride. There is no greater sacrifice than dedicating one’s service, life, and time to ensure the freedom and safety of the homeland. This grant funding will ensure there is adequate space to honor the brave men and women who served our country; may their sacrifices never be forgotten.”
The expansion grant will provide for four additional columbarium walls to hold cremated remains and fulfill cemetery expansion needs. The project funding also includes provisions for landscaping, supporting irrigation, and other improvements.
The use of the current space and trends toward cremations has necessitated the need for additional columbaria, which has accelerated usage year after year. Approximately 75% of the columbaria space has been used, with the available space anticipated to be expended within two years.
The Texas Veterans Land Board (VLB), a division of the Texas General Land Office, operates four Texas State Veterans Cemeteries, conveniently located across the state. These Texas State Veterans Cemeteries are hallowed grounds that are an expression of our respect for the Texas men and women who have served our nation with honor. The VLB also provides free burial of Veterans with military honors at Texas State Veterans Cemeteries in Abilene, Corpus Christi, Killeen and Mission.