Frederick County Executive Proposes County Veterans Commission
Frederick County Executive Jan Gardner today unveiled her plan to establish a Commission on Veterans Affairs, which would provide a forum for the county’s 17,000 veterans to voice issues and ideas and serve as a conduit to connect veterans to resources and information.
“I firmly believe we need to do our utmost to ensure that our veterans are fully supported and are connected to the resources they need,” Executive Gardner said. “These men and women defended our freedoms at great sacrifice to themselves and their families. It is our duty to ensure they have access to education, employment, counseling and other support services.”
The Commission on Veterans Affairs would be comprised of 13 members. Eight would be representatives from veterans’ organizations, such as the American Legion, Veterans of Foreign Wars, and AMVETs. Two members would represent organizations that provide services to veterans; one would be an educator who is familiar with veterans’ educational issues; and two would serve at-large. Ex officio members would include the Garrison Commander at Fort Detrick or that person’s designee, a member of the county’s delegation to Annapolis, a representative of Frederick Community College, and a representative from Frederick County Workforce Services. Members would be appointed by the County Executive and confirmed by the County Council to serve staggered three-year terms.
