Texas State Veterans Cemeteries Recognized for Operational Excellence

The Operational Excellence Award is presented to cemeteries that significantly exceed the quality standards established by the NCA’s Compliance Review Program

Texas Insider Report: AUSTIN, Texas – The Texas Veterans Land Board (VLB) offers a wide range of benefits unmatched across the country. From loans for Veterans’ families to purchase their first home to long-term care facilities when extra help is needed, the VLB serves those who pledged to serve our nation. One of the benefits I am most proud of is the VLB’s Texas State Veterans Cemeteries (TSVC).

During the toughest time in a family’s life, the VLB provides a gravesite, grave opening and closing, perpetual care, a government headstone or marker, a burial flag, and a Presidential Memorial Certificate, at no cost to the Veteran’s family. While these benefits cannot take away their grief, this essential support can help ease the burden of planning and expenses that accompany losing a loved one. Our Veterans deserve nothing less than the highest standard of care when being laid to rest, and that standard is met and exceeded by the VLB’s Texas State Veterans Cemeteries.
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At the recent VLB Board Meeting, the board announced that three of the VLB’s Texas State Veterans Cemeteries received the prestigious Operational Excellence Award from the National Cemetery Administration (NCA) of the United States Department of Veterans Affairs (VA): the TSVC at Abilene, the Coastal Bend SVC, and the Rio Grande Valley SVC. In March 2024, I also announced that the Central Texas SVC received the award following its most recent NCA inspection.

The Operational Excellence Award is presented to cemeteries that significantly exceed the quality standards established by the NCA’s Compliance Review Program. To receive this prestigious award, Veterans cemeteries must demonstrate unparalleled excellence across 94 standards, spanning customer satisfaction, grounds maintenance, and interment operations.

Since the first TSVC was built 20 years ago, the VLB has helped ensure that Veterans across Texas are buried with dignity and that their families have a beautiful place to honor their memories. I thank the staff at each of our Veterans cemeteries for their dedication. They are an essential part of how the VLB supports Texas Veterans and their families in their time of need. It is through their hard work and dedication that our Texas State Veterans Cemeteries have achieved this incredible milestone.

For more information about the VLB’s cemeteries, visit the Texas General Land Office’s website.