Dear Veteran,

As Texas Veterans Land Board (VLB) Chairwoman, I was honored to celebrate the VLB’s 80th Anniversary at the board’s most recent meeting on October 27, 2026. During the meeting, along with VLB Board Members Judson Scott and James Rothfelder, I presented a resolution marking this milestone. We were joined by former Land Commissioners, VLB Chairs, Board Members, and Executive Secretaries who remain dedicated to supporting Texas Veterans.

When the GLO was established in 1836, we honored Veterans of the Texas Revolution with land grants, allowing our war heroes to settle the lands for which they fought. It would be another 110 years before the VLB was established by the Texas Legislature in 1946 through the Veterans Land Act. The Board used its first $25 million in bonds to purchase land, which it then resold to Texas Veterans who served in World War II. Within two years, the program was expanded to include Korean War Veterans. The Board’s leadership was also restructured to include the Texas Land Commissioner and two gubernatorial appointees. One appointee must be well-versed in Veterans Affairs, and the other in finance; this remains the case today.

Since its establishment, the VLB has cared for Texas Veterans through home and land loan programs, long-term care facilities, pristine state Veterans cemeteries, and more. The numbers speak for themselves. More than 21,500 Veterans and spouses have received long-term skilled nursing care at a Texas State Veterans Home (TSVH). Last year, we opened the Tuskegee Airmen TSVH in Fort Worth, the 10th and newest state Veterans home. More than 36,790 Veterans and spouses have been interred at Texas State Veterans Cemeteries (TSVCs).

In June 2026, we opened the West Texas SVC, the 5th and most recent state Veterans cemetery. Over 300 Unaccompanied Veterans have been honored and interred at VLB’s state Veterans cemeteries. The VLB Call Center partners with the Texas Veterans Commission (TVC) to answer more than 5,000 calls each month. The VLB also recorded the 600th story for our Voices of Veterans Oral History Program, which preserves the personal stories of Texas Veterans by recording their military service experiences and their lives after returning home. In February, our ‘Valentines for Veterans’ program delivered more than 17,000 Valentine’s Day cards to state Veterans home residents.

None of these accomplishments would be possible without the contributions of every hard-working VLB staff member. From our department directors to our groundskeepers who keep our state Veterans cemeteries beautiful, everyone at the VLB shares the same goal: to serve those who have selflessly served our nation.

As we mark 80 years of excellence in Veterans care at the VLB, I encourage Texans to give back to Veterans in their communities. Together, we can build the future of Veterans care in Texas.

For Texas,

Chairwoman Dawn Buckingham, M.D.

Letter From the Chairwoman — 80 Years of Serving was originally published in Texas Veterans Blog on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.

Dear Veteran,

In September, we marked 25 years since the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001. On that day, 2,753 men and women died at the hands of Al Qaeda terrorists who hijacked jetliners and crashed them into the World Trade Center Towers. On that day, 184 people were killed when Al Qaeda terrorists crashed American Airlines Flight 77 into the Pentagon.

On that day, 40 Americans died after valiantly fighting off hijackers on United Airlines Flight 93, which crashed into an open field in Pennsylvania, ultimately thwarting an attack on the U.S. Capitol. And on that day, thousands of police officers and firefighters responded to the scene, and the clarion call of duty echoed in the hearts of Military Members and Veterans, as well as those inspired to fight against terrorism.

During the Global War on Terrorism, thousands of American Service Members would go on to lay down their lives to protect our home, our freedoms, and our way of life. Like the generations before them, these heroes stood in defense of freedom against forces that threatened it. We are forever indebted to those who have pledged to fight for their country. As Texas Veterans Land Board (VLB) Chairwoman, it is an honor to ensure their sacrifices and legacies are never forgotten.

This year, on September 11th, it was a tremendous honor to recognize the first two Medal of Honor Recipients ever memorialized at a Texas State Veterans Cemetery. The services, held at the recently opened West Texas State Veterans Cemetery in Lubbock, honored Lieutenant Colonel (Lt. Col.) George Davis and First Lieutenant (1st Lt.) Frank Nicias Mitchell. The Medal of Honor is the United States Armed Forces’ highest military decoration, awarded to those who have distinguished themselves by acts of valor.

Lt. Col. Davis joined the U.S. Air Force in Texas and served with the 334th Fighter Interceptor Squadron, 4th Fighter Interceptor Wing. On February 10, 1952, he led four aircraft on a combat mission over North Korea. During the mission, he encountered a group of MiGs, engaged them, and expertly damaged two of them. However, his aircraft was also hit as he fought to protect his men, and he ultimately crashed into a hilltop. Lt. Col. Davis’s indomitable fighting spirit, heroic ferocity, and superb courage in engaging the enemy against formidable odds exemplified courage.

1st Lt. Mitchell joined the U.S. Marine Corps in Texas and served as a platoon leader with A Company, 1st Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division. On November 27, during the Battle of Chosin Reservoir, his platoon engaged Chinese Communist Forces (CCF) in the remote mountains of North Korea. When the company commander ordered the Marines to withdraw, 1st Lt. Mitchell realized several of his fallen brothers would be left behind. He then opened fire with a Browning Automatic Rifle and threw grenades at CCF troops to give other members of the unit time to retrieve the bodies of their fellow Marines. He was mortally wounded, and the unit was unable to recover his body. His selfless sacrifice and inspirational bravery exemplify the best of our nation’s Armed Forces.

As with Lt. Col. Davis, 1st Lt. Mitchell, we owe every American who has answered their country’s call an enduring debt of gratitude, from the rebellion against injustice that sparked the American Revolution to the patriotism in the face of terrorism that inspired our nation after 9/11. May we never forget that we are the land of the free because of the brave.

For Texas,

Chairwoman Dawn Buckingham, M.D.

Letter From the Chairwoman — Remembering Those Who’ve Answered the Call was originally published in Texas Veterans Blog on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.

Dear Veteran,

It was with great honor that the Texas Veterans Land Board (VLB) and the Texas General Land Office (GLO) held the Dedication and Ribbon-Cutting for the West Texas State Veterans Cemetery (WTSVC) in Lubbock on September 4, 2026. Our Texas State Veterans Cemeteries are special resting places, close to home, where friends, family, and fellow Texans can pay tribute to our Veterans and cherish the memories of their loved ones.

While the ceremony was guided by solemn respect for our Veterans’ final resting place, it was also a moment to applaud the fact that more than 21,000 Veterans and their family members will be served by the VLB’s newest Veterans’ cemetery. The bulk of the funding for this crucial project was supplied by a $15,902,647 grant from the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), with the VLB funding an additional $638,400.

Since breaking ground in November 2023, the GLO, VLB, the City of Lubbock, and key elected officials have been working to bring this benefit to West Texas. Lubbock is the fifth State Veterans Cemetery in Texas and the first new Veterans cemetery built in 15 years. The WTSVC officially opened for interments on June 1, 2026. At that time, more than 2,500 Veterans were pre-registered for burial, demonstrating the community’s need for burial options closer to home.

In mid-June, the WTSVC was recognized as part of the National Purple Heart Trail, a symbolic and honorary system of roads, highways, and monuments honoring military members who have received the Purple Heart. The next day, the cemetery held its first Unaccompanied Veteran Burial, laying to rest U.S. Army Veteran Specialist 5 (SP5) Herman Brown, Jr. The City of Lubbock donated 100 acres of farmland for the new cemetery, 32 of which are being developed as part of Phase I and will accommodate 4,110 double burial spaces for Veterans, their spouses, and eligible dependent children. The initial build also includes 510 pre-positioned crypts, 600 columbaria niches, and 1,000 in-ground cremated-remains plots.

Visitors to the cemetery can view the open-air structure for committal services, including Unaccompanied Veteran Burials; the visitor center; the computer kiosk for locating specific graves; the scattering garden; the avenue of flags; and the cemetery’s memorial walkway for future monuments.

During the dedication ceremony, I was joined by state and local leaders committed to supporting Lubbock’s extensive Veteran population. Texas House Speaker and Representative Dustin Burrows, State Senator Brent Hagenbuch, State Senator Charles Perry, State Representative Carl Tepper, County Judge Curtis Parrish, and Lubbock City Mayor Mark W. McBrayer shared remarks on the WTSVC and its importance to the Lubbock community. While the West Texas State Veterans Cemetery holds special meaning for everyone who helped make it a reality, one sentiment has guided its creation: The men and women who have served our nation deserve nothing less than the very best care and to be laid to rest with the dignity befitting their sacrifices.

For more information about Texas State Veterans Cemeteries and the support available to you, visit the GLO’s website. Here in Texas, we will continue working to preserve the legacies of Texas Veterans and ensure their sacrifices are remembered for generations to come.

For Texas,

Chairwoman Dawn Buckingham, M.D.

Letter From the Chairwoman — A Final Resting Place for West Texas Veterans was originally published in Texas Veterans Blog on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.

Dear Veteran,

In July, we celebrated a major milestone for our country: America’s 250th Anniversary of Independence. A critical part of this celebration was giving thanks to the men and women who have defended our nation and the freedom we cherish. While every American is familiar with the fireworks and BBQs of the 4th of July, many people are unaware of the day in July dedicated to recognizing the service and sacrifices of Korean War Veterans: National Korean War Veterans Armistice Day on July 27th. This remembrance marks the anniversary of the 1953 armistice agreement signed by the United States, North Korea, and the People’s Republic of China, which ended the short but violent conflict.

Often called the “Forgotten War,” the Korean War was fought between World War II and the Vietnam War and ended with the Korean Peninsula divided at the 38th parallel, where a demilitarized zone remains to this day. Here in Texas, we strive to ensure that no Veteran is ever left behind or forgotten. It is an honor to uplift the Veterans of the Korean War and to honor their bravery and the sacrifices they made to uphold democracy and aid a people they had never met in an unfamiliar land thousands of miles from home.

More than 289,000 Texans served during the Korean War, and of them, 1,723 were either killed in action or missing in action. One of these brave souls was Staff Sergeant Ambrosio Guillen. Born in La Junta, Colorado, Guillen was raised in El Paso, Texas, and attended Bowie High School. He enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps at 18, rose to the rank of Staff Sergeant, and served with Company F, Second Battalion, Seventh Marines, First Marine Division.

In the dark of night on July 25, 1953, near Songuch, Korea, Guillen and his platoon were defending an outpost forward of the resistance’s main line. Despite the impenetrable darkness, lit only by hostile fire, and the unfamiliar terrain, he managed to organize the platoon into fighting positions. An enemy force of two battalions pinned them down, but this did not deter Guillen. He endured heavy mortar and artillery fire to continue directing his men and ensuring the wounded were evacuated. When he was critically wounded, he refused medical treatment and continued directing his men until the enemy was defeated.

He would die of his wounds hours after the battle, but his legacy of selfless sacrifice lives on in his Medal of Honor, awarded by Dwight D. Eisenhower for his heroic leadership. The Texas Veterans Land Board’s (VLB) Ambrosio Guillen Texas State Veterans Home in El Paso, Texas, where he grew up, is named in honor of his life, given in the name of freedom as the ultimate sacrifice.

Whether through our long-term care homes, land and home loans, or by helping Veterans access the benefits they have earned, the VLB works every day to ensure no Veteran is left behind or forgotten. Texas Veterans who served in any conflict, from WWII to the War on Terror, can find support and information at the Texas Veterans Call Center by calling 1–800–252–8387 or emailing VLBinfo@glo.texas.gov.

I encourage all Texans to learn more about our courageous Veterans of the Korean War and how their service helped shape democracy across the globe.

For Texas,

Chairwoman Dawn Buckingham, M.D.

Letter From the Chairwoman — Remembering a Hero from a “Forgotten War” was originally published in Texas Veterans Blog on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.

Dear Veteran,

As Chairwoman of the Texas Veterans Land Board (VLB), it is an honor to serve the men and women who have given so much to our nation. From loans to buy first homes and land to long-term care for Veterans in their golden years, the VLB offers the best benefits of any state to our Veterans, Military Members, and their families. Among these incredible benefits, our Unaccompanied Veterans Burial Program stands out as a touching community effort to ensure all Texas Veterans are laid to rest with dignity and care. The Lubbock community held its first Unaccompanied Veteran Burial on June 17, 2026, at the VLB’s new West Texas State Veterans Cemetery (SVC).

This major milestone came just 17 days after the West Texas SVC opened for burials on June 1, 2026. In a remarkable display of support, 105 attendees from across Lubbock and beyond attended the UVB for U.S. Army Veteran Specialist 5 (SP5) Herman Brown, Jr. As with every UVB held by the VLB, Mr. Brown was not expected to have any next of kin attend his burial. Before the Unaccompanied Veteran Program was created in 2015, Veterans with no family members to attend their burials were brought into the cemetery and given “direct no witness” burials without honors or recognition of their military service. Now, eligible Veterans like Mr. Brown are interred with honor and dignity, regardless of where they may have found themselves in life, through Unaccompanied Veteran Burials.

During a moving ceremony, Dr. John Kelley, Director of Texas State Veterans Cemeteries at the VLB, accepted the United States flag on behalf of Mr. Brown, and the West Texas Regional Honor Guard performed military honors. Mr. Brown served from December 1963 to June 1966, starting at age 19 during the Vietnam War era, and received the National Defense Service Medal, the Pistol Marksmanship Badge, and the Rifle Expert Marksmanship Badge for his service to our nation. In honor of his service, the Lubbock community provided an outpouring of support that defines this special program.

The VLB’s Unaccompanied Veteran Program alerts the communities surrounding our Texas State Veterans Cemeteries in Killeen, Corpus Christi, Abilene, Mission, and Lubbock when a UVB is scheduled. Ensuring no Veteran is missed requires a high level of coordination, including building relationships with community stakeholders such as funeral homes, county services, local judges, the Warriors Remembrance Foundation, the Pinkerton Surname Project, and the Patriot Guard Riders. The VLB and cemetery staff’s passion for this crucial work ensures that Texas stands ready to support the men and women who have defended our country.

The VLB has received overwhelming support across the State of Texas for unaccompanied Veterans. Hundreds of Texans attend these burial ceremonies, forming families for Veterans through the strongest bonds of community. I encourage Texans to learn more about the Unaccompanied Veteran Program and how to support it locally.

Together, we can ensure no Veteran is ever left behind.

For Texas,

Chairwoman Dawn Buckingham, M.D.

Letter From the Chairwoman — Expanding Our Unaccompanied Veteran Burials to Lubbock was originally published in Texas Veterans Blog on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.

Dear Veteran,

Every day as Chairwoman of the Texas Veterans Land Board (VLB) is an opportunity to honor our Veterans and ensure they receive the benefits they have so justly earned as defenders of our nation. On Memorial Day and during the preceding weekend, we have the solemn but honorable responsibility to remember the men and women who were Killed in Action (KIA) or listed as Missing in Action (MIA) while fighting for the land they loved. From its origins as Decoration Day, when towns across the U.S. began holding springtime observances to lay flowers on the graves of fallen warriors, to the parades and touching ceremonies of today, Memorial Day remains a cherished time for the families and communities of Veterans who made the ultimate sacrifice.

It was a privilege to speak at my local Memorial Day ceremony in Lakeway, Texas. There is something special about gathering with your church family to remember not only the sacrifices of our Savior but also the selfless sacrifices of those who died in service to a cause much greater than themselves: the preservation of freedom. The love these men and women have for their country and the people for whom they fight makes them shining examples of what it truly means to love your neighbor. As General Patton said, “While we mourn those that we have lost, we should have joy in the fact that such men and women lived.”

As important as the men and women we have lost are the families they left behind. Our Gold Star Families deserve nothing less than our greatest reverence on Memorial Day as they honor their loved ones’ lives. Hearing from a local Gold Star Family during the ceremony was deeply moving and an experience cherished by the entire congregation. Giving up your life in service to your country requires the kind of bravery few possess, but living on as a testament to this selfless sacrifice, in the face of the deepest grief, demands strength beyond comprehension.

The VLB’s four Texas State Veterans Cemeteries also held Memorial Day ceremonies. The Texas State Veterans Cemetery at Abilene hosted a ceremony featuring the Abilene Community Band, an appearance by the West Texas Patriot Guard Riders, and a flyover by the Big Country One Formation Flight Team. At the Coastal Bend State Veterans Cemetery in Corpus Christi, Gold Star Wives, along with Blue Star Parents and Families, were honored, and Navy Junior Reserve Officers Training Corps scholarships were presented to outstanding students.

At the Central Texas State Veterans Cemetery in Killeen, United States flags were placed at the graves of KIA and MIA servicemembers, and a 21-gun salute and Taps were performed at a special off-site ceremony to honor those lost on the battlefield. The Rio Grande Valley State Veterans Cemetery had more than 200 people in attendance at its Memorial Day ceremony, and during night viewing over the weekend, the poignant melodies of “Taps” and “Amazing Grace” echoed from the cemetery’s bell tower.

All four Veterans cemeteries were open 24 hours a day during the Memorial Day weekend. At night, the gravestones of KIA and MIA warriors were illuminated in tribute to their sacrifices and to demonstrate the Texas General Land Office and VLB’s reverence for their families. Maintaining these hallowed grounds as places for families to cherish their loved ones’ memories is a year-round responsibility. Thanks to the hard-working staff at our award-winning Veterans cemeteries, families from across Texas have beautiful spaces to honor their loved ones on Memorial Day.

I encourage Texans to remember that we are the home of the free because of the brave, and never to forget that the freedom we cherish has always come at a cost.

For Texas,

Chairwoman Dawn Buckingham, M.D.

Remembering Those Who Gave Their All in Defense of Our Nation was originally published in Texas Veterans Blog on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.

Dear Veteran,

The Texas Veterans Land Board (VLB) offers a wide range of benefits unmatched across the country. From loans for Veterans’ families to purchase their first home to long-term care facilities when extra help is needed, the VLB serves those who pledged to serve our nation. One of the benefits I am most proud of is the VLB’s Texas State Veterans Cemeteries (TSVC).

During the toughest time in a family’s life, the VLB provides a gravesite, grave opening and closing, perpetual care, a government headstone or marker, a burial flag, and a Presidential Memorial Certificate, at no cost to the Veteran’s family. While these benefits cannot take away their grief, this essential support can help ease the burden of planning and expenses that accompany losing a loved one. Our Veterans deserve nothing less than the highest standard of care when being laid to rest, and that standard is met and exceeded by the VLB’s Texas State Veterans Cemeteries.

At the recent VLB Board Meeting, the board announced that three of the VLB’s Texas State Veterans Cemeteries received the prestigious Operational Excellence Award from the National Cemetery Administration (NCA) of the United States Department of Veterans Affairs (VA): the TSVC at Abilene, the Coastal Bend SVC, and the Rio Grande Valley SVC. In March 2024, I also announced that the Central Texas SVC received the award following its most recent NCA inspection.

The Operational Excellence Award is presented to cemeteries that significantly exceed the quality standards established by the NCA’s Compliance Review Program. To receive this prestigious award, Veterans cemeteries must demonstrate unparalleled excellence across 94 standards, spanning customer satisfaction, grounds maintenance, and interment operations.

Since the first TSVC was built 20 years ago, the VLB has helped ensure that Veterans across Texas are buried with dignity and that their families have a beautiful place to honor their memories. I thank the staff at each of our Veterans cemeteries for their dedication. They are an essential part of how the VLB supports Texas Veterans and their families in their time of need. It is through their hard work and dedication that our Texas State Veterans Cemeteries have achieved this incredible milestone.

For more information about the VLB’s cemeteries, visit the Texas General Land Office’s website.

For Texas,

Chairwoman Dawn Buckingham, M.D.

Letter From the Chairwoman — Texas State Veterans Cemeteries Recognized for Operational Excellence was originally published in Texas Veterans Blog on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.

Dear Veteran,

The Texas Veterans Land Board (VLB) offers a wide range of benefits unmatched across the country. From loans for Veterans’ families to purchase their first home to long-term care facilities when extra help is needed, the VLB serves those who pledged to serve our nation. One of the benefits I am most proud of is the VLB’s Texas State Veterans Cemeteries (TSVC).

During the toughest time in a family’s life, the VLB provides a gravesite, grave opening and closing, perpetual care, a government headstone or marker, a burial flag, and a Presidential Memorial Certificate, at no cost to the Veteran’s family. While these benefits cannot take away their grief, this essential support can help ease the burden of planning and expenses that accompany losing a loved one. Our Veterans deserve nothing less than the highest standard of care when being laid to rest, and that standard is met and exceeded by the VLB’s Texas State Veterans Cemeteries.

At the recent VLB Board Meeting, the board announced that three of the VLB’s Texas State Veterans Cemeteries received the prestigious Operational Excellence Award from the National Cemetery Administration (NCA) of the United States Department of Veterans Affairs (VA): the TSVC at Abilene, the Coastal Bend SVC, and the Rio Grande Valley SVC. In March 2024, I also announced that the Central Texas SVC received the award following its most recent NCA inspection.

The Operational Excellence Award is presented to cemeteries that significantly exceed the quality standards established by the NCA’s Compliance Review Program. To receive this prestigious award, Veterans cemeteries must demonstrate unparalleled excellence across 94 standards, spanning customer satisfaction, grounds maintenance, and interment operations.

Since the first TSVC was built 20 years ago, the VLB has helped ensure that Veterans across Texas are buried with dignity and that their families have a beautiful place to honor their memories. I thank the staff at each of our Veterans cemeteries for their dedication. They are an essential part of how the VLB supports Texas Veterans and their families in their time of need. It is through their hard work and dedication that our Texas State Veterans Cemeteries have achieved this incredible milestone.

For more information about the VLB’s cemeteries, visit the Texas General Land Office’s website.

For Texas,

Chairwoman Dawn Buckingham, M.D.

Dear Veteran,

As Chairwoman of the Texas Veterans Land Board (VLB), I am honored to ensure our Veterans, Military Members, and their families receive the support they deserve and the benefits they’ve earned. While the VLB primarily focuses on providing the best benefits in the nation to Veterans, we are also deeply committed to preserving our nation’s military history and celebrating the achievements of the men and women who have stepped forward to serve.

On March 26, 2026, I had the privilege of hosting the inaugural Tuskegee Airmen Commemoration Day at the Tuskegee Airmen Texas State Veterans Home (TSVH) in Fort Worth. Starting this year, Tuskegee Airmen Commemoration Day will be observed on the fourth Thursday of March. This act was signed into law by Governor Greg Abbott on May 5, 2025, during the 89th Legislative Session, to honor this group of over 900 airmen, the first African Americans to fly for the United States military. The Tuskegee Airmen received their name from their main training facility at Morton Field in Tuskegee, Alabama. They served during World War II and consisted of three groups: the 99th Fighter Squadron, the 332nd Fighter Group, and the 477th Bombardment Group. The 99th was credited with shooting down 30 enemy aircraft in air-to-air combat in Italy during WWII. The 332nd was recognized for escorting American strategic bombers on dangerous missions across Europe, flying the legendary P-51 Mustangs with distinctive red tail markings that earned them the nickname the “Red Tails.” The 477th never saw combat but played a key role in challenging ongoing segregation at Freeman Field in Seymour, Indiana. In 1944, the 99th joined the 332nd Fighter Group, and together they flew combat missions in the Mediterranean.

The Tuskegee Airmen were not only exceptional pilots but also unwavering patriots. Despite facing racism and segregation, they overcame prejudice and excelled in serving their country. They flew over 1,500 missions across North Africa and Europe during WWII and earned more than 150 Distinguished Flying Crosses, 60 Purple Hearts, and the Congressional Gold Medal. Their resilience and extraordinary accomplishments inspired future generations of pilots, such as Jesse Leroy Brown, the first African American Naval Aviator, and Frank E. Peterson Jr., the first African American Marine Aviator.

On the first annual Tuskegee Airmen Commemoration Day, I was joined by state and local officials in Fort Worth, where the close-knit community has a long history of supporting Veterans. We also celebrated the first anniversary of the Tuskegee Airmen TSVH. The VLB’s

newest Veterans home, named in honor of these remarkable men, is a modern facility dedicated entirely to helping Veterans, their spouses, and Gold Star parents in Texas. The Fort Worth home is 100,000 square feet, can serve 120 Veterans, and features a specialized memory care neighborhood. For information about becoming a resident or scheduling a tour, call the VLB Onsite Representative at (915) 691–8676 or email j.been@glo.texas.gov.

I encourage all Texans to learn more about the Tuskegee Airmen, who paved the way for racial integration in the U.S. military and served their country with steadfast perseverance.

For Texas,

Chairwoman Dawn Buckingham, M.D.

Letter from the Chairwoman: Celebrating the First Annual Tuskegee Airmen Commemoration Day was originally published in Texas Veterans Blog on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.

Dear Veteran,

Throughout the year, the Texas Veterans Land Board (VLB) works tirelessly to support Texas Veterans and ensure their stories and sacrifices are never forgotten. During February, our nation celebrates Black History Month, and here at the VLB, we are honored to participate by highlighting African Americans’ contributions to Texas history and their legacies as Veterans.

During the fledgling days of the Texas Revolution, a Black Texian and Matagorda Volunteer Company private named Sam McCulloch Jr. was witnessed as the first man to enter the Presidio La Bahía Fort at the Battle of Goliad. He was also the only Texian soldier wounded, and historians believe he was the first person injured during Texas’s fight for independence. McCulloch was a formerly enslaved man who lived in the Republic of Texas. When the Texas Legislature passed a law prohibiting free African Americans from living in the Republic, Sam McCulloch petitioned the government on the basis of his service to the Republic, which had left him with an injury to his right shoulder from a musket ball that would affect him for the rest of his life.

In 1840, he, his family, and his descendants were granted an exemption from the law in recognition of his status as a disabled Veteran of the Texas Revolution. Despite his injury and the prejudices he had faced, McCulloch would serve the Republic again during the Battle of Plum Creek in 1840 and as a spy during the Mexican invasion of San Antonio in 1842. His unwavering dedication to Texas’s independence and his resolve to carve out a life for himself on the land he loved make Sam McCulloch an enduring example of how African Americans have contributed to our rich history and helped shape Texas’s future for the better.

In February, the VLB was honored to highlight Commander Chaplain Richmond E. Stoglin, who served in the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps, through our Voices of Veterans oral history program. Chaplain Stoglin was born on January 4, 1957, in “Dickie’s Clinic,” a segregated hospital in Taylor, Texas. He attended the University of Wisconsin at River Falls, majoring in History with a minor in Political Science and Sociology, and graduated in 1979 as the 24th African American to do so from the University of Wisconsin at River Falls. He was then accepted into Gammon Theological Seminary in Atlanta, Georgia, “the only predominantly black United Methodist Seminary in the United States of America,” on a full scholarship.

Chaplain Stoglin served his country in the United States Navy Reserve Chaplain Corps from November 30, 1985, to November 30, 2013. From counseling warriors who had traumatic experiences and giving last rites to those wounded beyond help, to being a spark of hope and even fun for men who still call him for advice, Chaplain Stoglin’s service is foundational to his legacy.

When asked how his service has shaped his life, Chaplain Stoglin said, “It made me a better person. It made me appreciative of this country. It made me appreciative of this state. We have lots of problems, but I think, from having traveled all over the world, we are blessed to be where we are. It’s helped me understand that freedom is not free. Someone pays the price. […] It also shaped me to understand that evil exists, but goodness is better, and we are stronger when we are good.”

To watch Chaplain Richmond E. Stoglin tell his story in the VLB’s first video interview for Voices of Veterans, visit the GLO’s website.

On March 26, 2026, Texas will celebrate the first annual Tuskegee Airmen Commemoration Day, which Governor Greg Abbott signed into law on May 5, 2025, during the 89th Legislative Session. This day recognizes the bravery and achievements of these incredible military members. The VLB will mark this momentous occasion with a ceremony at the Tuskegee Airmen Texas State Veterans Home in Fort Worth. As the first all-African American flying group in the United States Armed Forces and as highly decorated pilots who served during World War II, the Tuskegee Airmen represent the best of American military heroes. I look forward to hosting this event and highlighting the service and sacrifices of these influential Americans.

I encourage Texans to learn more about the challenges and triumphs of the African American community, including the countless contributions of African American Veterans.

For Texas,

Chairwoman Dawn Buckingham, M.D.

Letter from the Chairwoman — Celebrating Resiliency and Courage was originally published in Texas Veterans Blog on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.