PRINCE GEORGE'S COUNTY (Cheltenham)

Katharine M. Swartz, Superintendent
P. O. Box 10
11301 Crain Highway
Cheltenham, MD 20623 . . . (301) 372-6398

VETERANS MEMORIALS & MONUMENTS
PROGRAM (DP0003, formerly 23.15.00.03)

FY1996 appropriation.............. $95,732
FY1996 authorized positions. ............. 2
Michael D. Olienyk, Manager. . (410) 354-3550

MARYLAND VIETNAM VETERANS MEMORIAL

Middle Branch Park
2825 South Hanover St.
Baltimore, MD 21225 (410) 354-3550

MARYLAND KOREAN WAR MEMORIAL

Canton Waterfront Park
2903 Boston St.
Baltimore^MD 21224 ..... (410) 354-3550

Origins of the Maryland Veterans Commission trace
to 1924, when the Soldiers' Relief Fund Commission
formed to administer a State relief fund for disabled
veterans of World War I (Chapter 344, Acts of 1924).
The Commission became the Veterans Relief Commis-
sion in 1929 (Chapter 134, Acts of 1929). It was
renamed the Maryland Veterans Commission in 1935
(Chapter 481,Acts of 1935). In 1971,the Commission
became part of the Department of Employment and
Social Services, renamed the Department of Human
Resources in 1975 (Chapters 370 and 617, Acts of
1971). In 1977, the Commission was made an inde-
pendent agency (Chapter 895, Acts ofl977).
The Commission serves Maryland veterans and
their dependents. Itworks through three programs:
Veterans Service, conducted through veterans serv-
ice centers across the State; Veterans Cemetery, in
five counties, and a Civil War cemetery; and Veter-
ans Memorials and Monuments, in Baltimore City.
The Commission also assists the World War II
Memorial Commission.
The Commission is composed of twenty-five
Maryland veterans. Twenty-four 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, sees.
9-904 through 9-914).

WASHINGTON CEMETERY BOARD OF TRUSTEES
Samuel E. Pruett, President, 1996
(410) 333-4428

In 1982, the Washington Cemetery Board of
Trustees was transferred from the Department of
General Services to the Maryland Veterans Com-
mission (Chapter 269, Acts of 1982). The Board
oversees maintenance of Washington Cemetery,
Hagerstown, where the Confederate dead of the
battles ofAntietam and South Mountain are bur
ied. 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, itwas 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 main-
taining 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 repre-
sentative. The Board's three Maryland members are
appointed to three-year terms by the Governor.

VETERANS SERVICE PROGRAM
Robert E. Barron, Manager
(410) 962-4701
(410)333-4429

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 mem-
bers. Through its Service Program, the Maryland
Veterans Commission advises, assists, and repre-
sents 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. Veter-
ans 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.

VETERANS CEMETERY PROGRAM

Richard E. Shatzer, Manager
(410) 333-4428

In 1973, the Maryland Veterans Commission
was authorized to acquire cemetery sites for hon-
orably discharged Maryland veterans and their im-
mediate 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 Commis-
sion operates five cemeteries for veterans and
their dependents. The Commission sets eligibil-
ity 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,
sees. 9-913 through 9-914).