Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center - Houston, Texas

Memorial Day Service at Houston VA National Cemetery

WHAT:         Memorial Day Service, honoring deceased United States servicemen
                     and women, is free and open to the public.
WHEN:         Monday, May 30, 2016 at 9:30 a.m.
WHERE:       Houston VA National Cemetery
                     10410 Veterans Memorial Drive
                     Houston, TX  77038

BACKGROUND:

This year, the Department of Veterans Affairs is pleased to announce that Colonel Patrick M. Brown, Assistant Division Commander for the 100th Training Division (O/S) at Ft. Knox, Kentucky, will give the Memorial Day address. Brown’s military career spans more than 29 years of Army Reserve service. He is a distinguished military graduate from Kansas State University. Brown served as the G-3 in the 420th Engineer Brigade and deployed to Afghanistan in the same capacity during 2008-2009.

In addition to Brown’s remarks, the event will feature a parade of colors and wreaths by numerous local Veterans’ organizations, ROTC units, and Boy and Girl Scout troops. All Boy and Girl Scout organizations in southeast Texas are invited to attend.

There will also be many symbolic highlights including a performance of Taps; a cannon salute; Amazing Grace performed by Ian Martin; and a rifle salute.

Guests who wish to visit gravesites are encouraged to arrive prior to 8 a.m. or after 1 p.m. following the Memorial Day service.

The Houston VA National Cemetery is the second largest national cemetery in the region, encompassing some 419 acres of a former dairy farm in northwest Houston. The cemetery's focal point and the site of all special observances is the horseshoe-shaped building at its center known as the Hemicycle. This exposed aggregate structure contains a chapel and a 75-foot bell tower and encloses a courtyard that can accommodate as many as 5,000 people. All veterans with general or better discharges, their spouses, and dependent children are eligible for burial in a national cemetery. Eligible veterans may receive a VA grave marker or headstone even if they are not buried in a national cemetery.

DRIVING DIRECTIONS: The Houston VA National Cemetery is located 15 miles northwest of downtown Houston. From Bush Intercontinental Airport, take John F. Kennedy Blvd. south to Beltway 8. Turn right onto Beltway 8 west and exit at Ella. Follow the feeder road west to the third traffic light. Turn left on Veterans Memorial Drive. Proceed to the first traffic light and turn left on T.C. Jester. The cemetery entrance is on the right.