National Medal of Honor Day

The Texas Veterans Land Board (VLB) salutes all Medal of Honor recipients on National Medal of Honor Day. Those who receive Medals of Honor are not “winners,” as one must remember that the day of their actions quite possibly was one of the worst of their lives. Few Medal of Honor recipients walk away from that day without losing a lot, mainly their comrades in arms.

The Medal of Honor is given to very few Military Members; only 3,515 total have been bestowed. It is the highest award for battlefield action. The requirements for today’s Medal is that the recipient must distinguish “himself conspicuously by gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty.” Each of these Military Members is recommended by a superior officer, and the process rises all the way to a Congressional vote, and then usually, the President of the United States presents the Medal of Honor to the recipient.

Texas has many Medal of Honor recipients, so many that the state has a special monument just for them at the Texas State Cemetery in Austin, not far from the Capitol. In that cemetery are interred six Medal of Honor recipients. The VLB salutes all those who put country above self and commit acts of heroism, especially those who are recognized for those actions with the Medal of Honor.

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.