Texas State Veterans Cemeteries
On this episode of The Dog Tag, Matt Elledge sits down with Deputy Director, Eric Brown, and Chief On-Site Representative, Doug Gault, of the VLB Texas State Veterans Cemeteries.
VLB Texas State Veterans Cemeteries are special resting places, where friends, family and fellow Texans can honor Texas Veterans. These hallowed grounds are an expression of our respect for the men and women who have served our nation with distinction.
Matt, Eric and Doug talk about the history of these cemeteries and discuss eligibility, costs, burial options and much more.
Eric Brown served in the U.S. Air Force for 22 years and in 2012 joined the Texas Veterans Land Board. Doug Gault served in the U.S. Army for 30 years as a Combat Engineer, deploying three times during Desert Storm/Desert Shield, Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF) and Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF).
Show Notes:
Introduction. [.46]
How the Texas State Veterans Cemeteries were established. [3:19]
Where the four Texas State Veterans Cemeteries are located. [5:13]
Visiting hours for each Texas State Veterans Cemetery. [6:16]
How the standards and guidelines for Texas State Veterans Cemeteries compare to those at the National Veterans Cemeteries? [6:49]
Eligibility requirements for the Texas State Veterans Cemeteries. [8:50]
Burial options at Texas State Veterans Cemeteries. [10:40]
What is necessary for the Veteran, or their family, to have on file at our cemeteries. [11:59]
Burial costs at Texas State Veterans Cemeteries. [12:42]
VA burial benefits for Veterans. [13:18]
Military honors provided by Texas State Veterans Cemeteries. [4:17]
Unaccompanied Veterans Program. [15:39]
Who runs the daily operations at the Texas State Veterans Cemeteries? [18:43]
How to locate a specific grave site or niche in a columbarium. [19:41]
How to volunteer at a Texas State Veterans Cemetery. [20:38]
How to donate funds, time or specific items such as wrought iron benches, or flags and wreaths to a Texas State Veterans Cemetery. [21:40]
Various events are held at Texas State Veterans Cemeteries including the annual Memorial Day Ceremonies, holiday wreath layings and memorial dedications. [23:43]
How the Texas Veterans Land Board (VLB) works with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to fund these Texas State Veterans Cemeteries. [25:48]
Find more detailed information about upcoming events at each of our four Texas State Veterans Cemetery Facebook pages:
Texas State Veterans Cemetery at Abilene
Coastal Bend State Veterans Cemetery
Central Texas State Veterans Cemetery
Rio Grande Valley State Veterans Cemetery
Helpful Resources:
National Cemetery Administration
Friends of the Central Texas State Veterans Cemetery/Wreaths for Vets
Listen to this podcast on iTunes or SoundCloud.
The Dog Tag® is brought to you by the Texas Veterans Land Board. Find more episodes at TexasVeteransPodcast.com. If you have questions about this topic, or suggestions for other podcast topics, call 1–800–252-VETS or email vlbinfo@glo.texas.gov. Visit TexasVeterans.com to find out more about your benefits!
