Community members in Corpus Christi are being called to stand in for absent family at the burials of three military veterans next month, ensuring these servicemen receive the honor and recognition they deserve in their final moments.
On Friday, December 19, 2025, the Coastal Bend State Veterans Cemetery will conduct three separate Unaccompanied Veteran Burials for former members of the U.S. Navy and Army. The ceremonies, scheduled throughout the day, are for veterans who are not expected to have next-of-kin in attendance, cemetery officials announced.
Three Veterans, Three Ceremonies
The first service will honor Dental Technician (General) Petty Officer Third Class John C. Bowers at 10:00 a.m. Born June 18, 1953, Bowers served in the U.S. Navy from April 1972 to April 1974 and received the National Defense Service Medal for his contributions during the Vietnam era, according to cemetery records.
At 11:00 a.m., the cemetery will conduct services for Specialist 4 Mark Lee Moore. Born March 21, 1961, Moore served in the U.S. Army for nearly a decade, from June 1978 to February 1988. His service earned him multiple recognitions, including the Army Good Conduct Medal (3rd Award) and the Army Achievement Medal, cemetery officials confirmed.
The final ceremony of the day will take place at 1:00 p.m. for DCC – Chief Petty Officer David Alan Dunn. Born December 22, 1954, Dunn had an extensive naval career spanning 23 years from May 1981 to May 2004. His service record includes numerous commendations, including the Navy Achievement Medal, Navy Good Conduct Medal (4th Award), and the NATO Medal for operations in Kosovo, military sources indicated.
No Veteran Left Behind
“On Friday, December 19, 2025, the Coastal Bend State Veterans Cemetery will conduct Unaccompanied Veteran Burials for three Texas Veterans,” reads the official announcement from the cemetery administration. It’s a sobering reminder of veterans who, for various reasons, may not have family members present during their final farewell.
What happens when no family shows up? In these cases, a Veterans Land Board Representative will accept the United States flag on behalf of the deceased service members. This practice reflects the Texas Veterans Land Board’s commitment to working with local communities and veterans organizations to ensure that no veteran is ever truly alone at the end.
The Coastal Bend State Veterans Cemetery, which opened in 2011, serves as the final resting place for many of the region’s veterans. Located at 9974 IH 37 Access Road in Corpus Christi, the 30-acre facility includes a covered committal structure and visitor facilities designed to support both services and those paying their respects.
This isn’t the first time the cemetery has rallied community support. The facility regularly hosts remembrance events, including the upcoming Wreaths Across America ceremony scheduled for December 13, 2025, just days before these unaccompanied burials.
Community Response
For many local veterans and community members, attending these ceremonies has become a solemn duty. The practice of ensuring veterans aren’t buried alone has gained momentum nationwide in recent years, with social media often helping to spread the word and gather crowds for what would otherwise be solitary services.
Those wishing to attend any of the three ceremonies are encouraged to arrive approximately 15 minutes before the scheduled start time. The cemetery provides parking and coordinates volunteers for public ceremonies of this nature.
Additional information about the services can be obtained by contacting the Texas General Land Office Press Office at (512) 936-9582 or via email at [email protected].
As these three veterans prepare for their final rest, the Coastal Bend community once again has the opportunity to demonstrate that while these men may have died without family at their side, they won’t be buried without honor — or without witnesses to mark their passing and acknowledge their service.
