Memorial Day
The Texas Veterans Land Board (VLB) bows our heads, on this most solemn of days, Memorial Day, with the families of those who have lost a Veteran or Active-Duty Military Member. Today is not a day to thank Veterans for their service — that’s Veterans Day in November. Nor is it Armed Forces Day, which is for Active-Duty Military Members. No, today is a day to remember our dead, those who fought for this country and died in or after their service.
At the VLB, we offer our sincerest condolences to those families, but in addition to our thoughts, we offer the tangible service of cemetery benefits. Active-Duty Members and honorably discharged Veterans (and other select categories of service) are eligible for this benefit, at absolutely no cost to the family of the deceased.
The following are the options available to the family. The funeral home and cemetery staff will work with the family to determine their wishes.
● Interment Options
● A casketed burial. An upright marble or granite headstone is provided.
● Interment of cremated remains and placement in a columbarium. Cremation urns may be no larger than 13 inches tall, by 10 inches wide, by 9 inches deep. A marble or granite niche cover is provided.
● Interment of cremated remains and placement in an in-ground burial section. A marble or granite marker is provided.
● Scattering of cremated remains in the scattering garden. A marble or granite marker is provided in the memorial section.
More information is available at this site: https://vlb.texas.gov/cemeteries/burial-benefits.
Four Texas State Veterans Cemeteries are located around the state, in Abilene, Corpus Christi, Killeen and Mission. These cemeteries were built as the result of a partnership between the state of Texas and the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and complement the six national cemeteries located in Texas as well. While there is no way to reserve a spot, families can pre-register, so the next-of-kin have one less thing to worry about when the time comes.
Texas State Veterans Cemeteries are special resting places, close to home, where friends, family and fellow Texans can honor Texas Veterans. The sacrifices they laid upon the altar of freedom will never be diminished or forgotten.
Today, on this most special day of mourning, the VLB salutes all those who served and died. We offer our services, especially cemetery benefits, to all those who served the United States honorably.
The VLB is happy to provide any needed help for these American heroes. The mission for the VLB is “to ensure that we offer the very best package of Veterans benefits in the country and those of us who work for the VLB strive to meet those goals every day. For more than 70 years, we have had the honor to serve Veterans, Military Members and their families in Texas, and we look forward to keeping that promise in the years to come.” Call 1–800–252–8387, email VLBinfo@glo.texas.gov, or visit vlb.texas.gov to see the different benefits available.
If you are a Veteran, thank you for your service. Click Here to Sign Up to stay informed on your benefits with the Texas Veterans Land Board.
