Texas Land Commissioner Dawn Buckingham is calling on Texans to honor the state’s military heroes during a special week of recognition next year, emphasizing the sacrifices made by service members past and present.
Texas Military Heroes Week, scheduled for February 2-6, 2026, serves as a dedicated period to acknowledge veterans’ contributions and highlight available services for those who served. The observance comes as the state continues to expand its veterans’ programs, including a new cemetery location set to open later that year.
“As Chairwoman of the Texas Veterans Land Board, I am reminded every day of the cost of service to our nation and the sacrifices made by those who have and continue to fight for our freedoms,” Buckingham said in a statement announcing the initiative. “From the earliest battles, like the Alamo right here in Texas, to conflicts overseas, please join me in honoring all who have helped secure our freedom throughout the years and those who are defending it still.”
Expanding Services for Veterans
The Texas Veterans Land Board (VLB) currently operates 10 state-of-the-art long-term care facilities across the state, along with four Texas State Veterans Cemeteries. A fifth cemetery is scheduled to open in Lubbock before the end of 2026, further extending the state’s commitment to honoring those who served.
Beyond physical facilities, the VLB is also broadening its historical preservation efforts. “This year, we are expanding that program to include video stories of our Veterans as they discuss their service to our great nation,” the board noted regarding its Voices of Veterans Oral History Program, which aims to capture and preserve firsthand accounts from Texas veterans.
What’s driving this continued expansion? Texas maintains one of the nation’s largest veteran populations, with the state housing 15 military installations including Fort Hood, Joint Base San Antonio, and Naval Air Station Corpus Christi.
Financial Support and Recognition
The VLB also provides practical assistance through low-interest loans that help veterans purchase homes, land, or renovate existing properties. These financial tools represent part of a broader effort to support service members beyond mere recognition.
Tony Dale, Executive Secretary of the Veterans Land Board, emphasized the deeper purpose behind Texas Military Heroes Week. “During Texas Military Heroes Week, we come together to honor the incredible bravery and sacrifice of our Veterans,” Dale explained. “Their unwavering commitment to our nation and their selfless acts of courage inspire us all.”
Veterans living in Texas can access information about these and other benefits by contacting the Texas Veterans Call Center at 1-800-252-8387, a resource established to connect former service members with earned benefits they might not know they qualify for.
Buckingham, who made history in 2022 as Texas’ first female Land Commissioner, concluded her statement with a sentiment that encapsulates the week’s purpose: “We truly are the land of the free because of the brave.”
