AUSTIN, Texas— Today, Texas Land Commissioner and Veterans Land Board (VLB) Chairwoman Dawn Buckingham, M.D., is proud to introduce the next installment of the series highlighting the VLB’s Voices of Veterans Oral History Program. This week, we highlight the service of Colonel (Col.) Rich Buickerood who served in the United States Air Force. Born in New Jersey, Buickerood said although his dad served in World War II, his parents “were average working folks.” Buickerood “didn’t really know what to expect” when he learned he was headed to Vietnam. Buickerood recalled one mission, which happened on Easter Sunday 1968, which awarded him his first Distinguished Flying Cross.