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Maryland Council of Chapters - MOAA
Maryland Veterans Commission

The Maryland Veterans Commission advises the Secretary of Veterans and Military Families on all issues relating to veterans and is authorized 30 commissioners.  Twenty nine positions are filled with one remaining as a member at large.  Commissioners are appointed to five-year terms by the Governor and the Governor names the Chair. Maj Jim Shiffrin, USAF (Ret), currently represents the Maryland Council of Chapters on this Commission (through 2027). For more details, click HERE.

The Commission met on 15 Jul 2025. Here are highlights from the meeting:

Comments from Acting Secretary Ross Cohen:

  • He welcomed new Commission Chairman, LtCol Mike Bowers, USMC (Ret) and announced that COL Ed Rothstein, USA (Ret) will become the Acting Secretary on 1 Aug. COL Rothstein will remain in the “Acting” capacity until confirmed by the State Senate, and current Acting Secretary Cohen will revert to his Deputy Secretary role. Both COL Rothstein and LtCol Bowers are MOAA members.
  • Wait time at the State Veterans Benefits Offices is down to around 5 days. They have a 97.5% approval rate with claims sent to VA and have seen a 20% increase in benefits awards.
  • There are about 3400 burials in the State Veterans Cemeteries each year – about 7% of the nationwide number.
  • There will be unaccompanied veteran burial ceremonies at a number of cemeteries on 25 July.
  • Charlotte Hall is up to around 260 residents, up from 220 a year ago.
  • The Sykesville home is on the VA Tier 1 list for funds in 2026, which means they should get the money.
  • Maryland Joins Forces now has partnerships with over 30 organizations and will be starting a new campaign in September.
  • The DVMF website is being redesigned, with an expected rollout in September

Rory Nolan, Chief of Staff to Delegate Heather Bagnall briefed on the Military Women’s Memorial

  • Although the Women’s Memorial Commission recommended a location at Patriot Park in Newburg, MD.  He said there is another option – State owned land in Sykesville.
  • Option 1 (Patriot Park) has the challenge that it is on private land and would require a 501 (C) (3)  non-profit to get the initial funds, then get more from the legislature.
  • Option 2 (Sykesville) has the benefit of being on State land and would require getting funding from the Administration, not the legislature.
  • There is no written process for how to proceed from here!
  • Commissioner Penny Collins said the MMC would pay the $400 fee to set up the non-profit.

Heather Geraldes briefed the status of the Veterans’ Trust Fund

  • The fund has been restructured, again. They are not currently taking applications.
  • They are working through a backlog of 125 applications, making both grants and referrals to other organizations.
  • They helped 164 households in 2024, giving $1,000,000, and $185,000 in grants to partner organizations.
  • The greatest need is help with rent or mortgage (65% of applicants), followed by car payments (12%), and critical utilities (10%).
  • Trust Fund income comes from the Lottery, the casinos, and (starting in 2026) a checkoff on the Maryland Income Tax form.

Grace Caufield of the Stephen A Chone Military Family Clinic at Easter Seals briefed on her organization:

  • They provide mental health treatment for active duty personnel, veterans (anyone who ever served), and families.
  • They have both in-person and telehealth options.
  • There is a very short turnaround between someone making an application, and getting help (sometimes the same day for telehealth).
  • They have served over 6,000 people over 8 years.

The next meeting of the Maryland Veterans’ Commission will be on 21 Oct 2025.

Here are recent minutes from the Commission:

Maryland Council of Chapters - MOAA
Most Recent:


Previous Minutes:
 
Maryland Council of Chapters - MOAA