Texas Land Commissioner and Veterans Land Board (VLB) Chairwoman Dawn Buckingham on June 18, recognized the West Texas State Veterans Cemetery in Lubbock’s first Unaccompanied Veteran Burial for U.S. Army Veteran Herman Brown, Jr.
Brown served in the U.S. Army for three years, from December 1963 to June 1966, starting at age 19. During this time, he received the National Defense Service Medal, Pistol Marksmanship Badge and the Rifle Expert Marksmanship Badge.
His burial took place on June 17, with Dr. John Kelley, Director of Texas State Veterans Cemeteries at the VLC, accepting the United States flag on his behalf. The West Texas Regional Guard performed military honors during the moving ceremony, as well.
“As defenders of our nation and the freedom we cherish, our Veterans deserve nothing less than the highest standard of care when being laid to rest,” says Buckingham. “The VLB’s Unaccompanied Veteran Burials ensure that this honor is bestowed upon every Veteran who is interred at our Texas State Veterans Cemeteries.”
Created in 2015, the Unaccompanied Veteran Program alerts the communities surrounding the Texas General Land Office’s state Veterans cemeteries in Killeen, Corpus Christi, Abilene, Mission and Lubbock that a Veteran will be interred with no known next of kin or with next of kin unable to attend their burial service.
Before, veterans were brought into the cemetery and buried directly, or interred, without honors or recognition of military service.
The Unaccompanied Veterans Burial program ensures all eligible Veterans are buried with honors and acknowledgement of their service to the country.
The VLB now issues an advisory to the community upon notice of an Unaccompanied Veteran Burial and has seen overwhelming support from local communities across Texas.