MontgomeryCountyMD.GOV

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 240-777-1256 (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, June 16th, 2020 from 6pm to 7pm. Due to the current COVID 19 situation, this meeting will be held virtually via Zoom. Instructions on how to participate in the meeting are in the agenda. Agenda to be announced. Meetings are open to the public. If you have questions, please e-mail Betsy.Luecking@montgomerycountymd.gov.

Full Commission Meeting Schedule - 2020

June 16th, 2020
No meetings in July or August
September 15th, 2020
October 20th, 2020
November 17th, 2020
December 15th, 2020

Commission Meeting Summary Minutes - 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, 2016
November 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

"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 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.

Maryland Department of Veterans Affairs (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