Spousal fees waived, visiting hours extended, and flower policy relaxed

 Special to The Leader

AUSTIN- Tuesday, the Texas General Land Office and Veterans Land Board announced changes to a handful of policies. The State Veterans Cemeteries are a special resting place for our veterans and their families. And now it will be easier than ever for those families to stay together. As of November 1^st the GLO and VLB will be waiving all fees for the burial, ash spreading or columbarium interment of military spouses.

“Sometimes the right thing to do is an easy choice, and this is one of those instances,” said Texas Land Commissioner George P. Bush. “Texas is home to over 1.7 million veterans. At the Veterans Land Board we’re proud to be a big part of making this the best state in the country for our military, whether active duty, reserve or veteran. By waiving all spousal fees at our State Veterans Cemeteries we’re doing right by our veterans, and taking another step to ensure we continue to give our best for the men and women who represent the best of us.”

The State Veterans Cemeteries will now also have longer visiting hours and relaxed rules about flowers. Visiting hours will be extended to run from 8:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. to better accommodate those wishing to visit the grounds. Artificial flowers may now be placed at grave sites year-round and flower pick ups will now take place once a month instead of twice a month.

“This is the common sense, right thing to do,” said Eric Brown, director of the State Veterans Cemeteries program. “It’s about doing the right thing for our military veterans and their families to honor their service and sacrifice, and all three of these policy changes help accomplish our efforts to do that.”

All military veterans and spouses are eligible to be laid to rest at Texas State Veterans Cemeteries, regardless of their home state when joining the military.