AUSTIN, Texas — Today, Texas Land Commissioner and Veterans Land Board (VLB) Chairwoman Dawn Buckingham, M.D., is encouraging all Texans to honor our military heroes who have sacrificed everything in the name of freedom this Memorial Day at one of our Texas State Veterans Cemeteries.
In honor of Memorial Day, headstones of servicemembers Killed or Missing in Action will be illuminated at the four Texas State Veterans Cemeteries in Killeen, Abilene, Mission and Corpus Christi, Texas. The grounds will be open 24hrs a day for night viewing through Memorial Day, Monday, May 25.
VLB Chairwoman Dawn Buckingham, M.D., speaks at the Central Texas State Veteran Cemetery in Killeen
Memorial Day Events:
Killeen Civic and Conference Center
Killeen Memorial Day Ceremony
Monday, May 25, 2026 at 9:00 a.m.
Guest Speaker: Brigadier General Peter Glass, United States Army
3601 South WS Young Drive
Killeen, Texas 76542
Coastal Bend State Veterans Cemetery
Memorial Day Ceremony
Monday, May 25, 2026 at 10:00 a.m.
Guest Speaker: Master Chief Petty Officer Anthony Sofo, United States Coast Guard
9974 IH 37 Access Road
Corpus Christi, TX 78410
*Weather Permitting
Rio Grande Valley State Veterans Cemetery
Memorial Day Ceremony
Monday, May 25, 2026 at 9:00 a.m.
Guest Speaker: Reynaldo Leal, United States Marine Corps
2520 Inspiration Road
Mission, Texas 78572
*Weather Permitting
Texas State Veterans Cemetery at Abilene
Memorial Day Ceremony
Monday, May 25, 2026 at 11:00 a.m.
7457 West Lake Road
Abilene, TX 79601
*Weather Permitting
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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.