Commission on Veterans Affairs 
Watch Homefront
• Montgomery County COVID-19 Resource Guide for Older Adults
• Montgomery County Office of Emergency Management
• Veterans: VA is here for you during COVID 19 : VA has always been here for Veterans, and they will continue to be here for you during the COVID-19 crisis. They will see and treat any Veteran — even if you are not yet enrolled in VA health care — but please call them first — Washington DC VA Medical Center 202-745-8000, Option 3.
• VA Care Resource Guide During COVID 19 : Veterans and their Families, Caregivers and Survivors have many resources available to answer their questions on services related to the Coronavirus, or COVID-19, and the care, benefits and services available from the Department of Veterans Affairs, other agencies and non-profit organizations.
Current Chair and Vice-Chair – 2020:
Wayne Miller, Chair • Bob Koffman, Vice-Chair
The Montgomery County Commission on Veterans Affairs was established by County legislation in 2008 with the goal of the Commission to provide advice to the Executive and Council on the status of programs and services related to the needs of Veterans. Veterans have made an important contribution to the community by their service in the Armed Forces of this Nation, and Montgomery County is committed to showing its commitment and support for all veterans and their families.
The Commission is composed of sixteen voting members and one non-voting member who serve in a volunteer capacity. Members are appointed by the County Executive and confirmed by the County Council. The Commission includes:
- Nine (9) Veterans who are a member of a veterans group
- Four (4) General Public
- Three (3) Ex-Officio Members (Department of Health and Human Services, the Office of the County Executive, and Montgomery College)
- One (1) Non-Voting Congressional Representative
The meetings of the Commission on Veterans Affairs are open to the public. The Commission welcomes visitors to join us as we serve the County and its residents. Meetings are held on the third Tuesday of the month, except in July and August. As possible, we adjust meeting dates in order to accommodate days of major religious observances. Please contact the office to confirm meetings.
Meeting Accessibility Notice: Sign language interpreter services and other auxiliary aids or services will be provided upon request with as much advance notice as possible, preferably at least three (3) full business days before the meeting/event. To request any other reasonable accommodation or to advise us of any dietary considerations, please contact Betsy Luecking at 240-418-4865 (V) or via MD Relay at 711 or send a request to Betsy.Luecking@montgomerycountymd.gov . Taking these steps will help us have sufficient time to best meet your needs.
Boards/Committees/Commissions (B/C/C) Inclement Weather Policy:
- If Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) open late, B/C/C morning meetings are cancelled.
- If MCPS closes early, or if afternoon or evening activities are cancelled, B/C/C afternoon and evening meetings are cancelled.
- If MCPS is closed all day, all B/C/C meetings for that day and evening will be cancelled.
Agendas
Next Meeting: Montgomery County Commission on Veterans Affairs Meeting - Tuesday, September 15th, 2020 from 6pm to 7pm. Given the concerns of the coronavirus, the Commission will be meeting virtually via Zoom. Please view the agenda for instructions on how to join the meeting. Agenda to be announced. If you have any further questions, please contact Betsy Luecking at 240-418-4865 (V), via MD Relay at 711, or e-mail Betsy.Luecking@montgomerycountymd.gov.
Full Commission Meeting Schedule - 2020
September 15th, 2020
October 20th, 2020
November 17th, 2020
December 15th, 2020
Commission Meeting Summary Minutes - 2020
June 16th, 2020
May 19th, 2020
April 21st, 2020
March 17th, 2020 - No Meeting
February 18th, 2020
January 21st, 2020
Commission Meeting Summary Minutes - 2019
December 17th, 2019
November 19th, 2019
October 15th, 2019
September 17th, 2019
June 18th, 2019
May 21, 2019
April 16, 2019
March 19th, 2019
February 19th, 2019
January 15th, 2019 - No Meeting
Commission Meeting Summary Minutes - 2018
December 18th, 2018
November 20th, 2018
October 16, 2018
September 25, 2018
June 19th, 2018
May 15th, 2018
April 17th, 2018
No March 2018 Minutes - Meeting Cancelled
February 20th, 2018
January 16th, 2018
Commission Meeting Summary Minutes - 2017
December 19th, 2017
November 21st, 2017
October 17th, 2017
September 19th, 2017
June 20th, 2017
May 17th, 2017
April 18th, 2017
March 21st, 2017
February 21st, 2017
January 17th, 2017
Commission Meeting Summary Minutes - 2016
December 20th, 2016November 15th, 2016
October 18th, 2016
September 20th, 2016
June 21st, 2016
May 17th, 2016
April 19th, 2016
March 15th, 2016
February 16th, 2016
January 19th, 2016
CVA Annual Reports
Commission on Veterans Affairs 2019 Annual Report (PDF)
Highlights include information on PTSD Awareness month; VA mental health; VA Silver Spring Vet Center services; how to enroll in VA healthcare; Montgomery County VA Community-Based Outpatient Clinic (CBOC); funding for accessible launch at Riley's lock; key contacts for the VA and other resources; Maryland Department of Veterans Affairs (MDVA) Resources; Montgomery County fallen heroes history; Montgomery County Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall dedication one-year anniversary; Commission policy priorities for fiscal year 2021; employment data and statistics on the County's Veteran population; and County Veteran timeline 2008 to 2019.
Commission on Veterans Affairs 2018 Annual Report (PDF)
Highlights include information on the new VA Community-Based Outpatient Clinic in Montgomery County; the County's Vietnam Veterans Memorial; the County's Fallen Heroes Memorial; Riley's Lock and accessible launch funding; dedication of "The Buffalo Soldiers Great Hall" at Silver Spring Civic Building; Leggett honored at County's Black History Month Celebration; the Commission's transition plan for elected officials; a timeline of accomplishments from 2008 to 2018; key contacts for the VA and other Veteran resources; and employment data and statistics on the County's Veteran population.
Commission on Veterans Affairs 2017 Annual Report (PDF)
Highlights include information on the Montgomery County Community-Based Outpatient Clinic (CBOC) and how to enroll in VA healthcare; a County Veteran Timeline of accomplishments from 2009 to 2017; a snapshot of Veterans Behavioral Health Services; key contacts for the VA, the Maryland Department of Veterans Affairs, and other Veteran resources; and employment data and statistics on the County's Veteran population.
Commission on Veterans Affairs 2016 Annual Report (PDF)
Highlights include the Montgomery County Community-Based Outpatient Clinic (CBOC) Golden Hammer Ceremony; a Veteran event with Mike Love, Founder of the Beach Boys; ending Veterans homelessness in Montgomery County; a Montgomery College TV Documentary on Vietnam Veterans; key contacts for the VA and other Veteran resources; and employment data and statistics on the County's Veteran population.
Commission on Veterans Affairs 2015 Annual Report (PDF)
Highlights include the Honor & Gratitude event saluting Montgomery County's Vietnam Veterans; announcement of a Montgomery County Community-Based Outpatient Clinic (CBOC); VASH housing vouchers for homeless County Veterans; ; 2015 proclaimed by County Council and County Executive as "Year of Montgomery County's Veterans and Their Families"; launch of County Cable and Commission HomeFront TV Show; key contacts for the VA and other Veteran resources; and statistics on the County's Veteran population.
Commission on Veterans Affairs 2014 Annual Report (PDF)
Highlights include unveiling new County memorial plaza with eternal flame; VA Silver Spring Vet Center grand opening; update on a Montgomery County Community-Based Outpatient Clinic (CBOC); employment initiatives to increase hiring; grant funding for job skills training and career counseling for Veterans; key contacts for the VA and other Veteran resources; and statistics on the County's Veteran population.
"Leggett Introduces Legislation to Establish Veterans Commisson" - Press Release: June 9th, 2008
Bill 23-08 - Original Legislation - Introduced June 10th, 2008. Effective November 3rd, 2008. Establishment of the Commission.
Bill 34-08 - Amended Legislation - Introduced October 28th, 2008. Effective December 10th, 2008. Increased the number of voting members on the Commission.
Bill 52-10 - Amended Legislation - Introduced October 26th, 2010. Effective March 10th, 2011. Altered the membership of the Commission to include the President of Montgomery College or the President's designee as a designated ex-officio member.
Bill 28-18 - Boards, Committees, and Commissions - Amendments - Introduced July 17, 2018. Effective January 10, 2019. Altered the membership of the Commission to increase the number of Veteran voting members and removed Ex-Officio Member from the Department of Economic Development.
Requesting Your Military Service Records / DD 2-14 / Medical Records
Whenever a Veteran requests benefits and services, a copy of the individual's discharge papers are required to verify eligibility. This includes admission to Charlotte Hall Veterans Home, Maryland's five cemeteries, VA claims and a myriad of other services provided to Veterans and their families. Veterans and their next of kin can request a copy of the service member's DD-214, Certificate of Release or Discharge from Activey Duty from the National Archives. Records can be requested online or via mail or fax. To file the request via mail or fax, you must submit Form SF 180, Request to Pertaining Military Records . A completed request can be sent to National Personnel Records Center, Military Personnel Records, 1 Archives Drive, St. Louis, MO 63138, Fax 314-801-9195.
Applying for VA Benefits and Claims Assistance
The Maryland Department of Veterans Affairs (MDVA) Service and Benefits Program provides assistance to the men and women who served in the Uniformed Services of the United States, their dependents, and survivors in obtaining benefits from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, Department of Defense, State of Maryland and other programs for veterans and their families.
MDVA COVID-19 Notice:
Most Veteran Benefits Specialists are on full time remote work status and periodically visit offices to collect mail and messages. Please contact your service officer by phone or email. Service officers will return your call or email as soon as possible.
MDVA Montgomery County Service Center
Montgomery College Service Center
Joseph Thornton, Veterans Benefits Specialist (VBS)
900 Hungerford Drive, Mannakee Building, Room MK251, Rockville, MD 20850
240-567-5405 (V)
240-567-4361 (FAX)
E-mail: joseph.thornton@maryland.gov
Effective January 6th, 2020 : Mr. Thornton, VBS, works at the Montgomery College Service Center weekdays, 7:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Outreach Hours: Mr. Thornton will be at the Silver Spring Vet Center (2900 Linden Lane, Silver Spring, MD 20910) the 2nd and 4th Friday of each month from 7:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Please note: While walk-ins are accepted at both locations, to ensure you are seen please call ahead to schedule an appointment.
For more information and resources, view our Veterans Network Directory - Benefits & Claims Assistance and Retirement Benefits
Staff
Support to the Commission is provided by:
Betsy Luecking, Community Outreach Manager
Carly Clem, Administrative Specialist I
DHHSWebsite@montgomerycountymd.gov
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