DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS

SECRETARIES

FORMER SECRETARIES

[photo, Thomas E. Bratten, Jr., Maryland Secretary of Veterans Affairs] THOMAS E. BRATTEN, JR. (1943-2005)
Secretary of Veterans Affairs, 1999-2003

Member, Maryland Vietnam Veterans Memorial Commission, 1984-89; Maryland Veterans Commission, 1987-93; Governor's Commission on Maryland Military Monuments, 1989-2003. Director, Maryland Veterans Commission, 1993-99. Past member, Council on Alcohol and Drug Abuse, Garrett County; Governor's Commission on Employment of the Handicapped; Governor's Commission to Study the Needs of the Handicapped.

Secretary of Veterans Affairs, October 1, 1999 to January 15, 2003. Member, Governor's Executive Council, 1999-2003. Member, Governor's Year-2000 Technical Preparedness Task Force, 1999-2000; Interdepartmental Advisory Committee on Minority Affairs, 1999-2003.

Born in Louisville, Kentucky, July 5, 1943. The American University, B.A. (political science), 1975; M.A. (public administration), 1979. Served in Army National Guard and U.S. Army (Silver Star; Bronze Star with V; Air Medal; Purple Heart; Republic of Vietnam with 3 Devices; Vietnam Service Medal with 3 Devices; Army Commendation with V Device; Good Conduct & National Defense Service Medal). Certified counselor in Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. Member, International Association of Trauma Counselors; International Society for Traumatic Stress Studies. Member, National Association of State Directors of Veterans Affairs, Inc. Life member, American Veterans Association; Disabled American Veterans; Military Order of the Purple Heart; American Legion; Vietnam Veterans of America; Veterans of Foreign Wars; AMVETS; Catholic War Veterans; Military Order of Foreign Wars. Member, Montgomery County Democratic State Central Committee, 1974-94 (past chair). Chair, Garrett County Democratic Central Committee. Governor's Disabled Marylander of the Year Award, 1990. Outstanding Disabled Veteran of the Year, Disabled American Veterans, 2002. Presidential Unsung Hero Award, Leaders in Furthering Education (LIFE) Foundation, 2002. Married; three children, two stepchildren, eight grandchildren, one step great-grandson. Died in Friendsville, Maryland, June 22, 2005. Buried at Maryland Veterans Cemetery, Rocky Gap, near Cumberland, Maryland.

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