AUSTIN, Texas— Today, Texas Land Commissioner and Veterans Land Board (VLB) Chairwoman Dawn Buckingham, M.D., was honored to deliver remarks as the guest speaker for the Memorial Day Ceremony at the Rio Grande Valley State Veterans Cemetery in Mission, Texas.
"There is no greater sacrifice than giving your life in defense of your country. As VLB Chairwoman, it is my solemn duty to honor and preserve the memories of our heroes who were killed or marked as Missing In Action while serving a grateful nation," said Commissioner Buckingham. "Today and every day, may we remember that the price of freedom is never free and appreciate the selfless devotion of the men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice to protect Americans and our way of life."
Texas Land Commissioner Dawn Buckingham, M.D. with the Marine Corps League RGV Detachment on Memorial Day at the Rio Grande Valley TSVC
The ceremony included a "final roll call.' Roll call was used during the Civil War and Vietnam Conflict following the return of soldiers from the battlefield. Those not at Roll Call were considered Missing in Action (MIA) or Killed in Action (KIA). This demonstration was a special way for Veterans in attendance to pay tribute to their fallen comrades and a reminder to never forget the men and women who have made the ultimate sacrifice in the name of freedom.
Each year, the headstones of servicemembers marked as KIA or MIA are illuminated at the four Texas State Veterans Cemeteries in Killeen, Abilene, Mission, and Corpus Christi, Texas, to honor those we have lost in battle. The grounds are also open 24 hours a day during Memorial Day weekend and on Memorial Day to ensure families can visit their loved ones.
The Rio Grande Valley State Veterans Cemetery in Mission opened on December 4, 2006. It is the second Texas State Veterans Cemetery to be built and run by the VLB under the Texas General Land Office (GLO). The cemetery is currently 75 acres in size, with space for up to 25,000 Veterans and their family members. It will continue to be expanded as needed.
Texas State Veterans Cemeteries are built through a partnership between the State of Texas and the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs and are managed by the VLB. Burial benefits include a gravesite in any one of the open cemeteries with available space, opening, and closing of the grave, perpetual care, a government headstone or marker, a burial flag, and a Presidential Memorial Certificate at no cost to the family.
RELATED: Veterans Land Board Announces Extended Visiting Hours at Texas State Veterans Cemeteries
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Dr. Dawn Buckingham made history in 2022, winning a statewide election to become Texas' first female Land Commissioner. As Land Commissioner, Dr. Dawn Buckingham is committed to helping Texans after a disaster, supporting Texas energy, ensuring that every child in Texas receives a high-quality public education, serving Texas Veterans, and securing the border to keep our communities safe.