The Central Texas community is rallying to ensure that a veteran who served for two decades in the U.S. Air Force will not be laid to rest alone. Technical Sergeant Joseph David Martin, who served from 1973 to 1993, will be buried at the Central Texas State Veterans Cemetery in Killeen on December 3, 2025, with or without family present.
A Call to Honor a Fallen Airman
Born on June 28, 1951, TSGT Martin received multiple commendations during his service, including the Air Force Achievement Medal and the Air Force Good Conduct Medal with five Oak Leaf Clusters. But when he’s laid to rest next December, officials expect no next-of-kin to attend his burial.
That’s why cemetery officials are asking the public to stand in as Martin’s family. The ceremony will take place at 11:00 a.m., with full military honors provided. If no family members come forward, a Veterans Land Board Representative will accept the American flag on Martin’s behalf.
“The Texas Veterans Land Board works with local communities and fellow Veterans service organizations to ensure NO Veteran is EVER left behind,” said a statement from cemetery officials, who note that this is part of their ongoing mission to honor those who served.
Is this an isolated case? Far from it. Unaccompanied veteran burials have become increasingly common across the country, as many veterans outlive their immediate family or lose contact with relatives over time.
A Final Resting Place with Deep Roots
The Central Texas State Veterans Cemetery opened on January 4, 2006, and spans 174 acres with capacity for nearly 50,000 burial plots. The land, situated on a hilltop with views of the Texas Hill Country, was previously part of Fort Hood before being donated to the federal government.
The cemetery serves veterans from a 25-county area, though any eligible U.S. service member can be interred there. It’s not uncommon for the cemetery to conduct up to ten burials daily, reflecting both the large veteran population in Texas and the cemetery’s growing importance as a final resting place for those who served.
As one of four veterans cemeteries managed by the Texas Veterans Land Board under the Texas General Land Office, the Killeen location has become a centerpiece for military honors in the region. The cemetery provides burial eligibility to any member of the U.S. Armed Forces who dies on active duty or any veteran discharged under conditions other than dishonorable, at no cost to the family.
TSGT Martin’s burial will continue a solemn tradition at the cemetery, where community members regularly attend services for veterans who might otherwise be buried without witnesses. The practice has become something of a point of pride for Killeen, a community deeply connected to its military heritage through neighboring Fort Hood.
For those wishing to pay their respects, the cemetery is located at 11463 State Highway 195 in Killeen. Veterans groups and community members are encouraged to spread the word to ensure that, when the time comes, TSGT Martin’s service and sacrifice will be properly honored — not by strangers, but by a grateful community that considers all veterans family.
