New Cemetery Guidelines Help Veterans and Their Families
The Texas Veterans Land Board (VLB) is happy to announce changes to policy guidelines regarding the Texas State Veterans Cemeteries. These hallowed grounds are special resting places for our Veterans and their families, and now it will be easier than ever for those families to stay together. As of November 1, 2015, the VLB will be waiving fees for the plot, ash spreading or columbarium niche of spouses and eligible dependents.
“Sometimes the right thing to do is an easy choice, and this is one of those instances,” said George P. Bush, Texas Land Commissioner and Chairman of the VLB. “Texas is home to over 1.7 million Veterans. At the VLB we’re proud to be a big part of making this the best state in the country for our military, whether active duty, reserve or Veteran. By waiving spousal and eligible dependent fees at our State Veterans Cemeteries, we’re doing right by our Veterans, and taking another step to ensure we continue to give our best for the men and women who represent the best of us.”
The Texas State Veterans Cemeteries will also have longer visiting hours and relaxed guidelines about flowers left at the cemeteries. Visiting hours will be extended to run from 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. to better accommodate those wishing to visit the grounds. Artificial flowers may now be placed at burial sites year-round and flower pick-ups will now take place once a month instead of twice a month.
“This is the common sense, right thing to do,” said Eric Brown, Director of the Texas State Veterans Cemeteries program. “It’s about doing the right thing for our military Veterans and their families to honor their service and sacrifice, and all three of these policy changes help accomplish our efforts to do that.”
All Veterans are eligible to be laid to rest at Texas State Veterans Cemeteries, regardless of their home state when joining the military. The VLB has four Texas State Veterans Cemeteries located in Abilene, Corpus Christi, Killeen and Mission. For details about upcoming events at the cemeteries please visit TexasVeterans.com. For more information about burial options, and eligibility and costs, please visit TexasVeterans.com, or call 1–800–252-VETS (8387) or email vlbinfo@glo.texas.gov.
