AUSTIN, Texas— Today, Texas Land Commissioner and Veterans Land Board (VLB) Chairwoman Dawn Buckingham, M.D., is honored to recognize the West Texas State Veterans Cemetery's first-ever Unaccompanied Veteran Burial on Wednesday, June 17, 2026, for U.S. Army Veteran, Specialist 5 (SP5), Herman Brown, Jr.
"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. The VLB's Unaccompanied Veteran Burials ensure that this honor is bestowed upon every Veteran who is interred at our Texas State Veterans Cemeteries," 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. Here in Texas and at the VLB, we will always stand ready to ensure no Veteran is ever left behind or forgotten.”
The United States Flag is folded at the Unaccompanied Veteran Burial for U.S. Army Veteran, Specialist 5 (SP5), Herman Brown, Jr.
Mr. Brown served in the U.S. Army for three years, from December 1963 to June 1966, starting at age 19, during the Vietnam War era. During this time, he received the National Defense Service Medal, Pistol Marksmanship Badge, and the Rifle Expert Marksmanship Badge for his service to our nation. There was an outpouring of support from the Lubbock community and beyond for Mr. Brown's service. Dr. John Kelley, Director of Texas State Veterans Cemeteries at the VLB, accepted the United States flag on behalf of Mr. Brown. The West Texas Regional Honor Guard performed military honors during the moving ceremony.
Created in 2015, the Unaccompanied Veteran Program alerts the communities surrounding our Texas 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 who are unable to attend their burial service. Veterans were brought into the cemetery and provided “direct no witness” burials. This meant their remains were brought to the cemetery and directly buried or interred with no honors or recognition of their military service.
Now, eligible Veterans are interred with honor and dignity, regardless of where they may have found themselves in life, through VLB's Unaccompanied Veteran Burials. Texas State Veterans Cemeteries follow a standard protocol to schedule burial services for Unaccompanied Veterans. This includes cultivating 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, to ensure that all eligible Veterans receive honorable and dignified burial services at each cemetery.
While notice times vary, VLB issues an advisory to the community upon notice of an Unaccompanied Veteran Burial. VLB has seen overwhelming support from local communities and across the State of Texas, with hundreds of people attending ceremonies to lay Veterans to rest with respect and dignity.
Click below to learn more about the Unaccompanied Veterans Program and sign up to receive alerts for Unaccompanied Veteran Burials:
Unaccompanied Veterans Program
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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.