* If your would like to share a story to help us remember our fallen , click here to submit your unique memoriam.
Name of Veteran
Roland Hienz Simms
Birth Date
4/21/1944
Date Death
7/21/2015
Branch of Service
US Army Special Forces
Rank
CSM
Name of Veteran
Esteban Olaez Jr.
Birth Date
08/03/1915
Death Date
01/25/2014
Branch of Service
United States Army
Rank
Tec 4
Name of Veteran
Reynard T. Husband
Birth Date
01/01/1985
Death Date
11/22/2010
Branch of Service
United States Army
Rank
Sergeant
Name of Veteran
Russell L. Slay
Birth Date
12/28/1975
Death Date
11/09/2004
Branch of Service
USMC
Rank
Staff Sergeant
Service Dates
DEC 1994 – NOV 2004
Name of Veteran
Wesley J. Canning
Birth Date
04/01/1983
Death Date
11/10/2004
Branch of Service
USMC
Rank
Lance Corporal
Service Dates
JUL 2002 – NOV 2004
Name of Veteran
Richard Garcia Castilla
Birth Date
11/23/56
Death Date
10/26/12
Branch of Service
United States Navy
Rank
HT3
Service Dates
12/27/74-12/15/76 brake 01/09/79-01/08/81
Name of Veteran
David W. Taylor
Death Date
03/29/2012
Branch of Service
U.S. Army (ABN)
Rank
Specialist
Service
KIA Kandahar Province in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. According to the DOD Casualty Report, David’s cause of death is listed as hostile fire-IED
Name of Veteran
Louis Earl Langston
Birth Date
07/08/1918
Death Date
09/22/2011
Branch of Service
U.S. Army Air Corps
Rank
Staff Sergeant
Service Dates
World War II, 1941-45
POW April 18,1944 thru April 30,1945
Name of Veteran
Steven Edwin Sellen
Birth Date
05/17/1962
Death Date
04/19/2010
Branch of Service
Army Infantry (Airborne)
Rank
Major
Service Dates
05/22/1982 – 02/21/1997
Name of Veteran
Charles Charlie Gray
Birth Date
05/17/50
Death Date
11/16/10
Branch of Service
Army
Service Dates
1968-1982
Donald Burton, a native of Kansas City, Missouri, was elected President of TDVA at the 2nd Annual Board of Director’s meeting held March 2010.
He served his country with distinction in the US Army in various combat specialties with multiple units to include the 2nd, 7th and 82nd ID and 7th Special Forces before retiring in 1994.
Don has served as a volunteer for over 25 years in varying capacities to include the Disabled American Veterans (DAV), American Legion, Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW), Paralyzed Veterans of America (PVA) and the Special Forces Association (SFA).
He holds a Master of Science degree in Criminal Justice from Harrington University and is a Texas Notary Signing Agent and Parliamentarian.
Additionally, Don has been a driving force behind the success of the TDVA today. He is one of the main reasons for the multiple computer setup and configuration software setup/contributions that are in place today at Spinal Cord Injury (SCI) unit at Audie Murphy Veterans Affairs Hospital for those patients in recovery and/or therapy. The patients now have access to the Internet, email communication and “Dragon-speak” software among other things.
Steven Lynn, a native of Tampa, Florida, served as the Secretary of TDVA and was appointed to that position in July 2009. He is now serving as Member-At-Large.
Steve served his country with distinction in the US Air Force having served both in the enlisted corps and later receiving his commission through Officer Training School. He served in South Korea, Italy, Turkey and Germany and various stateside bases from flight to HQs level before retiring in 2007 after nearly 22 years of honorable service.
He is man of deep faith and devoted father of one daughter–Naiya. He is a member of the Disabled American Veterans (DAV), American Legion—New Braunfels, Military Officers Association of America (MOAA), the National Rifle Association (NRA) and Community Bible Church—New Braunfels (CBC-NB).
Steve holds an undergraduate degree from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University in Professional Aeronautics and two Master’s degrees from Webster University in Management and Human Resource Development. He also returned to school to begin his doctorate degree in counseling.
Dan is a native of West Texas and served with the U.S. Army. He has served for over 25 years as a member, newsletter editor, advocacy director, legislative director and held multiple board of director positions in various veteran and civilian organizations. Dan is a founding member of TDVA and strongly advocates for improving the benefits entitled to all fellow veterans! Dan is a proud father of son Chris who is an Accountant.