How to Spend Memorial Day in Lubbock, Texas 

By: Lindsey Neas

As Memorial Day approaches, take time to observe the significance of this holiday. A city full of history, Lubbock is home to many memorials showcasing different aspects of military remembrance. As the home of our nation’s first Purple Heart University in Texas and the first Purple Heart hotel chain, Lubbock is a great place to hold your next military reunion or visit with the history buffs in your life. 

Explore the history-rich locations below this Memorial Day.  

Silent Wings Museum | 6202 N. I-27, Lubbock, TX 79403

Home to a majority of the American Glider Pilots and their flight training for World War II, Lubbock boasts the Silent Wings Museum. It’s located on the World War II South Plains Army AirField, where glider pilots trained between 1942 and 1945. Maintaining one of the rare and fully restored CG-4A gliders, this museum brings WWII aviation to life. Reserve a docent-led tour, and be sure to call the museum for group rate pricing. All active duty military receive free admission. 

The Vietnam Center and Sam Johnson Archive at Texas Tech University | Texas Tech University, Box 41041, Lubbock, TX 79409

Serving as the largest collection of Vietnam archives outside of the National Archive, The Vietnam Center’s mission is to provide support and education to the American Vietnam experience. The Archive collects and preserves the documentary record of the Vietnam War through thousands of historical pages and documents, photographs, audio, maps, periodicals and books.

Huneke Park | 4001 82nd St, Lubbock, TX 79423

One of the largest memorials in the United States outside of Washington D.C., the Lubbock Area Veterans War Memorial is found at Huneke Park. Also located at Huneke Park, The Lubbock Regional Monument of Courage was constructed to honor and remember the 12 Medal of Honor recipients, Purple Heart recipients and Gold Star families in West Texas. Inscribed on granite slabs, the monument displays 931 heroes’ names dating back to World War I.