The Veterans of the 36th also known as the Texas National Guard Monument is located directly to the west of the State Capital Building. This is unique monument made of Texas Sunset Red Granite in the shape of the T-Patch, which represented the shoulder insignia of the 36th infantry and commemorates veteran T-Patchers who served in both WWI and WWII. It was erected here in 1959 and is well worth a few minutes if monument viewing around the Capital grounds.

When I first saw the outline of this monument (it looks like a heart with a stake through the center) I thought it would be a memorial to members of the Red Cross or some other relief/care related organization. Reading up a bit on it I realized the cross with what appeared to be a nail through it was actually representative of the T insignia that these National Guard members wore (T-patchers) when they went into service. Among their accomplishments is being the first US division to put boots on the ground in Europe during WWII (in Italy). Given they signed up to serve in the National Guard at home but were deployed overseas it seems additionally heroic.There is no statue on this monument, it is confined to a stone carving that while beautiful is easy to nearly pass right by without paying much mind. I'd pass by this way after looking at the statues in front of the capitol and making my way around toward the Vietnam Memorial. This particular monument, while nice, isn't as much a must see as others on the grounds.