05/27/2026
Under a wide Big Country sky, the Texas State Veterans Cemetery at Abilene held its annual Memorial Day ceremony on Monday, honoring the men and women who gave their lives in service to the nation.
Families, Veterans, and community members gathered among the rows of granite headstones to pay their respects.
The ceremony began with the Patriot Guard Riders entering the cemetery and posting alongside American flags, followed by a missing‑man formation flyover performed by the Big Country One Flight team.
The Dyess Air Force Base Honor Guard then presented the colors as the Abilene Community Band performed the national anthem.
This year’s guest speaker, Colonel Stallsworth, Deputy Commander of the 7th Bomb Wing at Dyess Air Force Base, emphasized the importance of remembering not only the broader sacrifices made in conflicts around the world but also the personal stories represented by each name etched in stone.
A final roll call was conducted honoring the four Missing in Action or Killed in Action service members which included calling out the names of the fallen, placing an American Flag at each gravesite, a final rifle volley and playing of taps.
As the ceremony concluded, attendees remained on the grounds—walking among the headstones, sharing memories, and offering quiet expressions of gratitude.
These small but meaningful gestures help ensure that the legacy of the fallen heroes endure.
