Air Force Staff Sergeant Leslie Marlan Gunnarson won’t be laid to rest alone next November, but he might not have family by his side, either. Instead, members of the Coastal Bend community will likely gather to honor the veteran who served from 1976 to 1983 — part of a growing tradition at Texas veterans cemeteries ensuring no service member is buried without recognition.
The Unaccompanied Veteran Burial for SSgt. Gunnarson is scheduled for November 14, 2025, at 10:00 a.m. at the Coastal Bend State Veterans Cemetery in Corpus Christi. Military honors will be rendered and, if no next-of-kin attends, a Veterans Land Board Representative will accept the American flag on his behalf. Gunnarson received the Air Force Good Conduct Medal with one Oak Leaf Cluster during his service.
A Sacred Space Nearing Capacity
The cemetery where Gunnarson will be interred is Texas’ fourth state veterans cemetery, developed and operated by the Texas Veterans Land Board. Located at 9974 Interstate Highway 37, the 55-acre former pastureland was designed to serve approximately 50,000 veterans across 15 counties in coastal Texas with a master plan accommodating 31,500 gravesites over a 40-year period.
“Due to vast travel distances between existing veteran’s cemeteries in the State of Texas, existing facilities did not adequately meet the burial needs of Texas veterans and their families in the Corpus Christi area,” officials noted when the cemetery was established. The site features a distinctive star-shaped assembly area with the U.S. flag prominently displayed as a tribute to those who served.
But space is becoming a concern. The cemetery is approaching capacity, with expansion plans already in motion. A $1.9 million grant from the VA will fund a new columbarium and create approximately 3,100 additional burial spaces. “Once the construction is complete, we will be able to accommodate additional burials including in-ground and columbarium burials,” cemetery officials explained in a recent update.
A Community That Remembers
The Coastal Bend State Veterans Cemetery has become more than just a final resting place. Throughout the year, it hosts ceremonies such as Wreaths Across America, where community volunteers place wreaths on veterans’ graves and participate in cleanup efforts.
“The most important thing to remember is to have a wonderful experience participating in the ceremony and thank you so much for help Wreaths achieve our mission to remember, honor and teach,” organizers stated in materials for volunteers.
What makes these community events particularly meaningful is the emphasis on honoring all veterans, especially those without family to attend their services. “The Texas Veterans Land Board works with the local communities and fellow Veterans service organizations to ensure NO Veteran is EVER left behind,” according to program materials.
Cemetery Director Alfredo Medina, who oversees day-to-day operations, can be reached at (361) 248-4830 for those seeking information about services or volunteer opportunities at the cemetery.
Leadership and Legacy
The Texas Veterans Land Board, which manages the cemetery, is currently led by Dr. Dawn Buckingham, who made history in 2022 as Texas’ first female Land Commissioner. Her role extends beyond veterans’ affairs to include disaster assistance, Texas energy, education, and border security.
“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,” her office indicates.
The cemetery itself serves as a physical embodiment of that commitment to veterans, providing a meticulously maintained final resting place with an assembly area, committal shelter, and administration building.
For Staff Sergeant Gunnarson and thousands of other veterans, it offers dignity in death that mirrors the honor of their service in life. And for a community that continues to show up for unaccompanied burials, it provides something equally important: a chance to say thank you to those who might otherwise be forgotten.
