Overview

Texas, home to more than 1.7 million living veterans (the second largest number of any state), is also home to six nationally run and four state-run veterans cemeteries. Each year, more than 12,000 veterans are laid to rest in these hallowed grounds. The Veterans Cemeteries of Texas recounts the stories of these ten official final resting places for Texas veterans, creating—for the first time—a complete guide to these solemn bivouacs of the dead. Author Michael Lee Lanning, a US Army veteran, has not only reconstructed the history of these cemeteries as a tribute to the fallen but has also compiled a useful resource for the living. Lanning details the exact locations, eligibility requirements, and contact information throughout the state for those veterans and their families who might choose to make use of these important public services. Richly illustrated, the book also provides moving descriptions of military burial traditions, such as “Taps” and the 21-gun salute, as well as information about the various types of military headstones (including sixty authorized religious symbols). In the author’s words, “A walk through these burial grounds is a journey across the history of Texas and of the United States.” Lanning’s use of more than 100 captivating photographs, along with his compelling text, allows readers to take that walk through veterans cemeteries in Texas. For lovers of Texas history and military history, The Veterans Cemeteries of Texas is a gripping tribute to past, present, and future Texas veterans and the solemn places where they rest in their last formation and final parade.

Full Product Details

9781623496487

Table of Contents

Reviews

What applies to Texas's state and national veterans cemeteries applies to the those in the rest of the states--or it should. The book itself is a compact, user-friendly piece of perfect design and printing. --The VVA Veteran --VVA Veteran Michael Lee Lanning brings us a unique and compelling history, thoughtful and appropriately reverent. The appendix on eligibility, polices, and regulations are particularly invaluable for any Texas veteran. --Colonel (Ret.) Thomas T. Smith author of The Old Army in Texas: A Research Guide to the US Army in Nineteenth-Century Texas and The US Army and the Texas Frontier Economy, 1845-1900--Thomas T. Smith In his respectful and insightful study of veteran cemeteries, Lanning focuses on an important but often overlooked aspect of military history. In effect, the graves of veterans serve to close the chapters on their individual service, but their burial sites remain for the living who remember and honor the history. The author's work is personal and compelling, and speaks reverently to both time and place. --Dan Utley author of Faded Glory: A Century of Forgotten Military Sites in Texas, Then and Now--Dan Utley

Michael Lee Lanning brings us a unique and compelling history, thoughtful and appropriately reverent. The appendix on eligibility, polices, and regulations are particularly invaluable for any Texas veteran. --Colonel (Ret.) Thomas T. Smith author of The Old Army in Texas: A Research Guide to the US Army in Nineteenth-Century Texas and The US Army and the Texas Frontier Economy, 1845-1900--Thomas T. Smith In his respectful and insightful study of veteran cemeteries, Lanning focuses on an important but often overlooked aspect of military history. In effect, the graves of veterans serve to close the chapters on their individual service, but their burial sites remain for the living who remember and honor the history. The author's work is personal and compelling, and speaks reverently to both time and place. --Dan Utley author of Faded Glory: A Century of Forgotten Military Sites in Texas, Then and Now--Dan Utley What applies to Texas's state and national veterans cemeteries applies to the those in the rest of the states--or it should. The book itself is a compact, user-friendly piece of perfect design and printing. --The VVA Veteran --Dan Utley VVA Veteran

In his respectful and insightful study of veteran cemeteries, Lanning focuses on an important but often overlooked aspect of military history. In effect, the graves of veterans serve to close the chapters on their individual service, but their burial sites remain for the living who remember and honor the history. The author's work is personal and compelling, and speaks reverently to both time and place. --Dan Utley author of Faded Glory: A Century of Forgotten Military Sites in Texas, Then and Now--Dan Utley Michael Lee Lanning brings us a unique and compelling history, thoughtful and appropriately reverent. The appendix on eligibility, polices, and regulations are particularly invaluable for any Texas veteran. --Colonel (Ret.) Thomas T. Smith author of The Old Army in Texas: A Research Guide to the US Army in Nineteenth-Century Texas and The US Army and the Texas Frontier Economy, 1845-1900--Thomas T. Smith

What applies to Texas's state and national veterans cemeteries applies to the those in the rest of the states--or it should. The book itself is a compact, user-friendly piece of perfect design and printing. --The VVA Veteran --VVA Veteran In his respectful and insightful study of veteran cemeteries, Lanning focuses on an important but often overlooked aspect of military history. In effect, the graves of veterans serve to close the chapters on their individual service, but their burial sites remain for the living who remember and honor the history. The author's work is personal and compelling, and speaks reverently to both time and place. --Dan Utley author of Faded Glory: A Century of Forgotten Military Sites in Texas, Then and Now--Dan Utley Michael Lee Lanning brings us a unique and compelling history, thoughtful and appropriately reverent. The appendix on eligibility, polices, and regulations are particularly invaluable for any Texas veteran. --Colonel (Ret.) Thomas T. Smith author of The Old Army in Texas: A Research Guide to the US Army in Nineteenth-Century Texas and The US Army and the Texas Frontier Economy, 1845-1900--Thomas T. Smith

Author Information

Michael Lee Lanning is a retired lieutenant colonel in the US Army and author of more than twenty books on military history, including Vietnam, 1969–1970: A Company Commander’s Journal and Texas Aggies in Vietnam: War Stories. He resides in Lampasas, Texas.

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