MISSION — White birds soared in a graceful formation above the rows of headstones creating an almost peaceful dance; beneath them are the heroes laid to rest here at the Rio Grande Valley State Veterans Cemetery in Mission.
The cool morning breeze accompanied the somber feeling Friday as Texas Veterans Land Board members folded an American flag and prepared to hand it to the family of U.S. Army Veteran Cpl. Antonio De Jesus Tijerina of San Juan.
The headstone of U.S. Army Veteran Cpl. Antonio De Jesus Tijerina who was marked as MIA/KIA in Unsan, Korea, rests at the Rio Grande Valley State Veterans Cemetery on Friday, Nov. 11, 2022, in Mission. (Joel Martinez | [email protected])Darien Alvarado, 4, touches the flag planted near the headstone of his great, great uncle U.S. Army Veteran Cpl. Antonio De Jesus Tijerina who was marked as MIA/KIA in Unsan, Korea, at the Rio Grande Valley State Veterans Cemetery on Friday, Nov. 11, 2022, in Mission. (Joel Martinez | [email protected])Honor Guard member Tony Cordova folds a flag that will be given to remaining family members of U.S. Army Veteran Cpl. Antonio De Jesus Tijerina who was marked as MIA/KIA in Unsan, Korea during a burial at the Rio Grande Valley State Veterans Cemetery on Friday, Nov. 11, 2022, in Mission. (Joel Martinez | [email protected])Honor Guard member Homer Gallegos relinquishes a U.S. flag to remaining family members of U.S. Army Veteran Cpl. Antonio De Jesus Tijerina who was marked as MIA/KIA in Unsan, Korea during a burial at the Rio Grande Valley State Veterans Cemetery on Friday, Nov. 11, 2022, in Mission. (Joel Martinez | [email protected])Words are said by Honor Guard members about U.S. Army Veteran Cpl. Antonio De Jesus Tijerina who was marked as MIA/KIA in Unsan, Korea in 1950 during a burial at the Rio Grande Valley State Veterans Cemetery on Friday, Nov. 11, 2022, in Mission. (Joel Martinez | [email protected])A U.S. flag is carried before a ceremony to honor U.S. Army Veteran Cpl. Antonio De Jesus Tijerina who was marked as MIA/KIA in Unsan, Korea during a burial at the Rio Grande Valley State Veterans Cemetery on Friday, Nov. 11, 2022, in Mission. (Joel Martinez | [email protected])An undated picture is shown of U.S. Army Veteran Cpl. Antonio De Jesus Tijerina as a boy near his headstone by a family member at the Rio Grande Valley State Veterans Cemetery on Friday, Nov. 11, 2022, in Mission. (Joel Martinez | [email protected])A U. S. flag is presented by Honor Guard member Homer Gallegos to honor U.S. Army Veteran Cpl. Antonio De Jesus Tijerina who was marked as MIA/KIA in Unsan, Korea during a burial at the Rio Grande Valley State Veterans Cemetery on Friday, Nov. 11, 2022, in Mission. (Joel Martinez | [email protected])Family members plant a flag on the headstone of U.S. Army Veteran Cpl. Antonio De Jesus Tijerina who was marked as MIA/KIA in Unsan, Korea during a burial at the Rio Grande Valley State Veterans Cemetery on Friday, Nov. 11, 2022, in Mission. (Joel Martinez | [email protected])A member of the Honor Guard yells out commands during a burial for U.S. Army Veteran Cpl. Antonio De Jesus Tijerina who was marked as MIA/KIA in Unsan, Korea at the Rio Grande Valley State Veterans Cemetery on Friday, Nov. 11, 2022, in Mission. (Joel Martinez | [email protected])Members of the Honor Guard rest before the start of a ceremony honoring U.S. Army Veteran Cpl. Antonio De Jesus Tijerina who was marked as MIA/KIA in Unsan, Korea during a burial at the Rio Grande Valley State Veterans Cemetery on Friday, Nov. 11, 2022, in Mission. (Joel Martinez | [email protected])A member of the Honor Guard stands at rest before a 21 gun salute to honor U.S. Army Veteran Cpl. Antonio De Jesus Tijerina who was marked as MIA/KIA in Unsan, Korea during a burial at the Rio Grande Valley State Veterans Cemetery on Friday, Nov. 11, 2022, in Mission. (Joel Martinez | [email protected])Members of the Honor Guard stand at rest during a ceremony to honor U.S. Army Veteran Cpl. Antonio De Jesus Tijerina who was marked as MIA/KIA in Unsan, Korea, at the Rio Grande Valley State Veterans Cemetery on Friday, Nov. 11, 2022, in Mission. (Joel Martinez | [email protected])Remaining family members of U.S. Army Veteran Cpl. Antonio De Jesus Tijerina listen to words about him during a burial at the Rio Grande Valley State Veterans Cemetery on Friday, Nov. 11, 2022, in Mission. (Joel Martinez | [email protected])A folded U.S. flag rests on the lap of a family member during a burial for U.S. Army Veteran Cpl. Antonio De Jesus Tijerina who was marked as MIA/KIA in Unsan, Korea, at the Rio Grande Valley State Veterans Cemetery on Friday, Nov. 11, 2022, in Mission. (Joel Martinez | [email protected])A Honor Guard member listens to words during a burial for U.S. Army Veteran Cpl. Antonio De Jesus Tijerina who was marked as MIA/KIA in Unsan, Korea, at the Rio Grande Valley State Veterans Cemetery on Friday, Nov. 11, 2022, in Mission. (Joel Martinez | [email protected])Remaining family members of U.S. Army Veteran Cpl. Antonio De Jesus Tijerina, who was marked as MIA/KIA in Unsan, Korea, stand at his headstone at the Rio Grande Valley State Veterans Cemetery on Friday, Nov. 11, 2022, in Mission. (Joel Martinez | [email protected])Veterans bow their heads as a prayer is said during a burial for U.S. Army Veteran Cpl. Antonio De Jesus Tijerina who was marked as MIA/KIA in Unsan, Korea, at the Rio Grande Valley State Veterans Cemetery on Friday, Nov. 11, 2022, in Mission. (Joel Martinez | [email protected])
