The Commission serves Maryland veterans and their dependents. It works through three programs. The Veterans Service Program is conducted through veterans service centers across the State. The Veterans Cemetery Program operates in five counties. Washington Cemetery, a Civil War cemetery in Hagerstown, also is overseen by the Commission. The Veterans Memorials and Monuments Program is based in Baltimore City. Additionally, the Commission assists the World War II Memorial Commission.
The Commission is composed of twenty-six Maryland veterans. Twenty-five are appointed to seven-year terms by the Governor. One serves ex officio. The Governor names the chair and appoints the Director (Code State Government Article, secs. 9-904 through 9-914).
WASHINGTON CEMETERY BOARD OF TRUSTEES
In 1982, the Washington Cemetery Board of Trustees was transferred from the Department of General Services to the Maryland Veterans Commission (Chapter 269, Acts of 1982). The Board oversees maintenance of Washington Cemetery, Hagerstown, where the Confederate dead of the battles of Antietam and South Mountain are buried. At the Cemetery, 2,468 bodies are interred. Of this number, 346 have been identified.
The Board of Trustees was chartered in 1870 (Chapter 213, Acts of 1870). Originally, it was to have five members: three from Maryland and one each from Virginia and West Virginia. Virginia and West Virginia initially contributed to the cost for funding and maintaining the Cemetery and so were given a place on the Board. In over one hundred years, however, neither Virginia nor West Virginia has appointed a representative. The Board's three Maryland members are appointed to three-year terms by the Governor.
In 1973, the Maryland Veterans Commission was authorized to acquire cemetery sites for honorably discharged Maryland veterans and their immediate families (Chapter 504, Acts of 1973). Since State land would be used, funds were authorized in 1974 to develop cemeteries rather than to acquire sites (Chapter 775, Acts of 1974).
Through its Cemetery Program, the Commission operates five cemeteries for veterans and their dependents. The Commission sets eligibility requirements for burial. The cemeteries are located in Allegany, Anne Arundel, Baltimore, Dorchester and Prince George's counties. The Commission also maintains a permanent registry of graves of all who served in the U.S. military or naval forces in time of war and who are buried in Maryland (Code State Government Article, secs. 9-913 through 9-914).
Maryland Korean War Memorial
Canton Waterfront Park
2903 Boston St.
Baltimore, MD 21224
The Veterans Memorials and Monuments Program was established in 1989 (Chapter 790, Acts of 1989). At that time, responsibility for administering the Maryland Vietnam Veterans Memorial transferred from the Maryland Vietnam Veterans Memorial Commission to the Maryland Veterans Commission. Administration of the Maryland Korean War Memorial also was reassigned from the Korean War Memorial Commission to the Maryland Veterans Commission in 1989.
The Maryland Vietnam Veterans Memorial was dedicated May 28, 1989. The Maryland Korean War Memorial was dedicated May 27, 1990. Both are open to the public 365 days a year. They are operated and cared for by the Maryland Veterans Commission (Code State Government Article, sec. 9-915).
Veteran benefits include compensation for service-related disabilities, pensions, education, home loans, and insurance, as well as benefits for health care, burial, and surviving family members. Through its Service Program, the Maryland Veterans Commission advises, assists, and represents Maryland veterans, their dependents, and survivors seeking federal, State and local veteran benefits. It helps them develop, prepare, submit, and approve claims for these benefits enumerated by federal, State and local law. To achieve these purposes, veterans service centers operate throughout the State.
Trained in veteran laws and regulations, Veterans Service officers present and prosecute claims before the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. They represent claimants by power-of-attorney through the adjudication and appellate processes.
© Copyright July 06, 1998 Maryland State Archives