AUSTIN — Today, Texas Land Commissioner and Veterans Land Board (VLB) Chairwoman Dawn Buckingham, M.D. announced the next installment of the VLB "Continued Service Series" featuring U.S. Air Force Veteran and Texas Congressman August Pfluger, who represents the 11th District of Texas.

"As VLB Chairwoman, I am honored to hear the stories our Veterans share about their service to our nation. I am extremely proud to share these unique experiences with all Texans,” said Commissioner Buckingham. "Congressman Pfluger’s service to his country and now continuation of this devoted service to his constituents should be celebrated. It’s stories like his that exemplify why the VLB's Continued Service Series is an invaluable tool for Veteran support and awareness."

Congressman Pfluger said he learned a lot during his time as an officer in the Air Force, saying his proudest achievement was being able to fight for this country and the people who call it home.

"Being able to deploy and to have the opportunity to fight for this country, I love the flag behind me, which is actually designed and built by a Veteran in San Angelo, but it really represents the men and women who do go overseas and who deploy at a moments notice and are willing to give it all," he said. "Being deployed in 2016 and 2017, Iraq and Syria, fighting against ISIS, a horrible enemy that was causing tremendous pain and chaos in the Middle East, a radical group, who just hates the western world, who hates freedom, they hate everything the flag behind me stands for. Being able to come together with a coalition of over 50 countries, to lead those combat missions to eradicate this terror group, was a very proud moment."

Watch Congressman Pfluger's full interview by clicking the image below:

Congressman Pfluger represents 20 counties in Texas’ 11th congressional district, including Midland, Odessa, San Angelo, Killeen, Brownwood, and Llano. He also serves with the Committee on Homeland Security, the Committee on Foreign Affairs, the Committee on Energy and Commerce and co-founded the MACH 1 Caucus and the Texas Ag Task Force.

Following his service , Pfluger later served as an advisor on the National Security Council during Donald Trump's presidency and still serves as a Colonel in the Air Force Reserves. 

Congressman Pfluger's four-times-great-grandfather, a German immigrant, Henry Pfluger, Sr. founded Pflugerville, Texas. He was inspired to become a fighter pilot and serve his country because of his maternal grandfather, who served in the U.S. Army Air Corps in World War II.

The "Continued Service" series is a separate initiative from the VLB's Voices of Veterans program. Any Veteran interested in including his or her story in the Voices of Veterans oral history program should contact the VLB at (512) 475-1248.

The Texas General Land Office (GLO) and the VLB started this initiative with the goal of highlighting members of the Texas Legislature who are Veterans of the Armed Forces. Through detailed interviews, the GLO and VLB are helping Veterans share the incredible stories of their military careers, how the Texas Legislature is working to support our Veterans, advice for fellow Veterans, and much more.