A Letter From The Chairwoman — February: A Time for Love and Appreciation

Dear Veteran,

This month, the Veterans Land Board (VLB) celebrated our ‘Valentines for Vets’ program for Valentine’s Day and recognizes the new Tuskegee Airmen Texas State Veterans Home (TSVH) in honor of Black History Month. Both projects demonstrate the VLB’s commitment to uplifting our Veterans and ensuring they receive the support and services they need and deserve.

Since it began in 2021, the VLB’s ‘Valentines for Vets’ program has garnered support from communities across Texas and the nation. Each year, Texas Veterans who reside in our nine Texas State Veterans Homes receive thousands of Valentine’s Day cards from individuals, families, and organizations. We also got involved here at the Texas General Land Office in downtown Austin this year by setting up a ‘Valentines for Vets’ station for employees. Many people took cards home to their families to be filled out and sent. Over 300 cards were sent to Texas Veterans through this effort.

This year, the residents of VLB’s Texas State Veterans Homes received more Valentine’s Day cards than ever before. In total, Texas State Veterans Home residents received approximately 16,300 Valentine’s Day cards in a stunning display of support for our courageous Texas Veterans. The Watkins-Logan Texas State Veterans Home received 10,000 cards and the Veterans who reside at this home expressed their sincere gratitude. One Watkins-Logan TSVH resident, U.S. Navy Veteran Kenneth Wise, told a visiting KLTV News crew that, “It really makes you feel good that somebody’s thinking about you.”

These Valentine’s Day cards are more than just Valentine’s Day presents — they are thousands of reminders for our Veterans that their communities care deeply for them and appreciate their sacrifices. As Chairwoman, I am dedicated to supporting the future growth of this incredible program that helps the VLB positively impact the lives of Texas Veterans.

VLB is honored to recognize Black History Month and the powerful role Black service members have played in our military’s history. One of the most enduring examples of this legacy is the story of the Tuskegee Airmen, an elite group of military aviators who served during World War II, and the Veterans for which the new Texas State Veterans Home in Fort Worth is named.

The Tuskegee Airmen were the first all-Black flying group in the United States Armed Forces. This group of over 900 airmen was nicknamed the “Red Tails” for the iconic red markings on the tails of their aircraft, and they fought valiantly overseas to defend our nation and the sanctity of freedom against the Axis Powers.

These courageous patriots faced the same discrimination and racism within the military that they experienced at home as Black Americans, but they persevered by showcasing exemplary service. The Tuskegee Airmen flew over 1,500 missions across North Africa and Europe and received more than 150 Distinguished Flying Cross awards, 60 Purple Hearts, the Congressional Gold Medal, and more. Their unwavering commitment to service also played a major role in the advancement of integration in the United States military.

The Tuskegee Airmen Texas State Veterans Home is a state-of-the-art, 100,000 square foot facility that is adjacent to the Fort Worth Veterans Affairs (VA) Clinic. The home will have 120 beds and 24 private rooms. It will feature four “neighborhoods,” that will house 30 residents each. One of the four “neighborhoods” will be dedicated to memory care support for 30 residents. The home is open to eligible Veterans, spouses, and Gold Star Parents. Additionally, eligible Veterans with 70% or more service-connected disability rating will live in the home at no cost. This project also includes a community center and an office building for staff. The Tuskegee Airmen Texas State Veterans Home is tentatively planned for completion in mid-2024.

It is our duty to remember the tremendous debt of gratitude we owe our Veterans, and I encourage every Texan to find ways to show their appreciation and love for Texas Veterans year-round.

For Texas,

Chairwoman Dawn Buckingham, M.D.