Commissioner Dawn Buckingham Announces Hurricane Preparedness Readiness for Texas Veterans Homes and Cemeteries

PRESS RELEASE - Jul 07, 2024

AUSTIN - Today Texas Land Commissioner Dawn Buckingham, M.D. announced that the Texas General Land Office (GLO) and Texas Veterans Land Board (VLB) teams are monitoring Beryl, currently a tropical storm, and coordinating readiness measures with Texas State Veterans Homes and Cemeteries in the path of the storm. With storm conditions anticipated to affect the Richard A. Anderson and Alfredo Gonzalez Texas State Veterans Homes in Houston and McAllen respectively, as well as the Coastal Bend State Veterans Cemetery in Corpus Christi, VLB staff has initiated emergency action plan procedures. Services at the Rio Grande Valley State Veterans Cemetery in Mission will be rescheduling their services on Monday to later in the week.

"The Texas Veterans Land Board is dedicated to providing the highest quality of care to our state's Veterans, including protecting the lives of those we care for in our Texas State Veterans Homes," said Commissioner Buckingham. "Safety is our highest priority, and our VLB team continues to communicate with our Veterans and their families to ensure they are aware of storm predictions and their needs are met with the highest standard of care."

Per the VLB's Annual Emergency Action Plan, staff at each home coordinated with residents who wished to stay with family members. VLB staff also coordinates with appropriate personnel regarding emergency evacuation site and transportation plans for remaining residents, if needed. Veterans homes staff ensured that all needed medicines, food, and supplies are readily available, and the facilities are prepped for severe weather.

The VLB is committed to maintaining communications with Veterans and families throughout the lifecycle of Beryl, whether it impacts communities as a hurricane or tropical storm. Families may contact the VLB with questions or concerns by calling:

• Richard A. Anderson Texas State Veterans Home: 346-293-9600
• Alfredo Gonzalez Texas State Veterans Home: 956-682-4224

About the VLB

The VLB's mission is to provide the best package of Veterans' benefits in the country, and it strives to meet this goal every day. For nearly 80 years, the VLB has had the honor of serving Veterans, Military Members, and their families in Texas.

Since the days of the Republic, Texas has always supported its Veterans in return for their military service. In the early days, it was in the form of land given by the state for military service during the Texas Revolution. In 1946, this tradition was formally recognized with the creation of the Texas Veterans Land Board (VLB) to administer benefits exclusively for Texas Veterans.

Since then, the VLB continues to expand the programs and services available to Texas Veterans, Military Members and their families. The VLB offers land, home and home improvement loans; nine long-term care homes; four Texas State Veterans Cemeteries; the Voices of Veterans Oral History Program and the VLB Call Center.

Veterans Homes at greatest risk:

• Houston
• McAllen
• Floresville
• Temple
• Tyler

Veterans Cemeteries at greatest risk:

• Corpus Christi
• Mission

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