TYLER — Representatives from area veterans organizations recently gathered at the Tyler Area Chamber of Commerce to discuss building a state cemetery to serve the region. The nearest such cemetery is in Dallas, according to John Kelly, director of State Veterans Cemeteries. The National Cemetery Administration aims to provide reasonable access to burial options for veterans within 75 miles of their residence.
"Texas State Veterans Cemeteries are hallowed grounds where we provide a final resting place for our eligible veterans and their families," Kelley said. "We aspire to provide the veterans' burial benefit in East Texas in the form of a Texas State Veterans Cemetery where veterans and their families can commune with their loved ones in a sacred and beautiful setting." East Texas has the largest unserved veteran population in the state, with about 37,252 vets lacking access.
State Veterans Cemeteries are meant to fill the geographical gaps between the four national cemeteries in Texas. There are four state cemeteries for veterans in Killeen, Corpus Christi, Mission and Abilene. Another is under construction in Lubbock and scheduled to be completed in fall 2025.
There are five VA National Cemeteries in Texas — in Dallas, Houston, El Paso and two in San Antonio. "It's well over 100 miles to any veteran cemetery for many East Texas veterans," according to a information from the Tyler Area Chamber of Commerce Veterans Committee. A state cemetery is built using a National Cemetery Administration grant and then operated by the state through interlocal government contracts.
Veterans Land Board funding is provided through loan repayment and bond sales, not taxpayer funds. Kelly points out that the trigger for a national cemetery is 80,000 unserved veterans. Tyler has 33,140, and New Boston has 31,953 — nowhere near the trigger point.
"The NCAA wants to build two cemeteries...
I just want to put one in the middle of those two locations," Kelly said. "I want to put it in the vicinity of Longview because by doing that, the 75-mile service arc reaches all the way up to Texarkana." Debra Christian already has committed to donating 64 acres of her family's land for the project.
Some title issues with one of the plots are causing delays, but once they are resolved, she is looking forward to providing East Texas veterans with a dignified final resting place. "There are a large number of veterans who find that the drive to the Dallas national cemetery is simply too long and inconvenient for family visitation," Kelly said. "We want to spread the word to all of East Texas, not just Tyler.
" People can show support by sharing the project with veterans service organizations, groups, concerned residents and local governments and encouraging them to contact their elected officials..
