AUSTIN, Texas— Today, Texas Land Commissioner and Veterans Land Board (VLB) Chairwoman Dawn Buckingham, M.D., invites Texans to the Dedication & Ribbon Cutting of the West Texas State Veterans Cemetery (WTSVC) in Lubbock. The WTSVC groundbreaking happened in November 2023.The VLB's newest Texas State Veterans Cemetery (TSVC) will serve more than 21,000 Veterans and their eligible family members. It is the fifth TSVC built and run by the VLB, under the Texas General Land Office (GLO).
"As Texas Land Commissioner and the Chairwoman of the VLB, I am immensely proud that we have created such a beautiful and special resting place for the men and women who have selflessly served our country," said Commissioner Buckingham. "I thank the Lubbock community for their outpouring of support and our incredible staff at the West Texas State Veterans Cemetery for their commitment to maintaining these hallowed grounds. As we officially dedicate the VLB’s fifth Veterans cemetery, we must never forget that we are the home of the free because of the brave."
WHAT: Dedication & Ribbon Cutting of the West Texas State Veterans Cemetery
WHEN: Friday, September 4, 2026 at 10:00 a.m.
WHO: Open to all media and the public
WHERE: West Texas State Veterans Cemetery
4614 E 50th Street
Lubbock, TX 79403
The WTSVC held a soft opening on June 1 when the cemetery began laying Veterans to rest during private interments for families. In mid-June, the WTSVC was recognized as a part of the National Purple Heart Trail, a symbolic and honorary system of roads, highways, and monuments in tribute to 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.
Community members who want to attend, we ask that you please RSVP by clicking the button below:
TSVCs are special resting places, close to home, where friends, family and fellow Texans can honor and pay homage to our Veterans. The sacrifices they laid upon the altar of freedom will never be diminished or forgotten.
TSVCs are built through a partnership between the state of Texas and the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and are managed by the Texas Veterans Land Board. They complement the six national cemeteries in Dallas-Ft. Worth, El Paso, Houston, Kerrville, and San Antonio (2). Burial benefits at TSVCs are identical to those for VA National Cemeteries.
RELATED: Land Commissioner Buckingham Announces New Online Donations Portal for the Texas Veterans Land Board
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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.