“VA national cemeteries provide outstanding support to Veterans and their families, a dignified burial, and a central gathering point for the Veteran’s family and community,” said Lazaro Camarillo, Texas State Commander of the Military Order of the Purple Heart. “We owe a deep gratitude and respect to all members of the Armed Forces, especially those who have been wounded or killed in combat and honored with the Purple Heart Medal.”
A dedication ceremony will be held on Saturday, September 11, at 1 p.m. at Dallas-Fort Worth National Cemetery. Veterans, active duty, the community, and those who support the sacrifices of Veterans are welcome to attend. The ceremony will dedicate a sign that was presented by the organization to Dallas-Fort Worth National Cemetery Director Larry Williams. There will be combat wounded Purple Heart Recipients from all conflicts on hand.
“We thank VA cemetery staff, and those who work every day on behalf of our fallen Veterans, those who have ‘borne the battle,’ for ensuring you never leave any of us behind,” said Camarillo. “As a Combat Wounded Army Infantryman who has buried many friends at Dallas-Fort Worth National Cemetery, it is my honor to designate Dallas-Fort Worth National Cemetery, the first ‘Purple Heart VA Cemetery’ in the United States.”
“We work here each day to honor our fellow brothers and sisters, our Veterans,” said Larry Williams, Dallas-Fort Worth National Cemetery director. “We are grateful to the Military Order of the Purple Heart for this noble distinction. This helps us support our mission, to remember our heroes so their legacy will never die.”
About Military Order of the Purple Heart
Charted by Congress in 1958, the Military Order of the Purple Heart is unique among all Veteran service organizations in that the membership is comprised entirely of combat Veterans who were wounded in action. Although membership is restricted to combat wounded, they support all Veterans and their families with nation-wide programs. There is approximately 47,000 living Purple Heart recipients in the state of Texas with the largest geographic area of living Purple Heart recipients in the nation.
About VA’s National Cemetery Administration
VA operates 155 national cemeteries and 34 soldiers' lots and monument sites in 44 states and Puerto Rico. More than 5 million Americans, including Veterans of every war and conflict, are buried in VA cemeteries. Fulfilling President Lincoln’s call “to care for him who shall have borne the battle,” VA also provides headstones, markers or medallions for Veterans buried in State and Territorial Veterans cemeteries or interred in private cemeteries.