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27 September 2019 MDVA News and Announcements

Maryland Department of Veterans Affairs sent this bulletin at 09/27/2019 08:00 AM EDT

News and Announcements - September 27, 2019

MDVA News

Spotlight on MDVA Staff - Russell Ware

Secretary George Owings has requested that MDVA staff be highlighted in upcoming editions of the MDVA e-newsletter, so you learn a little bit about us and our commitment to serving Maryland Veterans. Today, we focus on Russell C. Ware, MDVA Director of the Cemetery & Memorials Program. Russ provided the following information:

I have been in service to the public since I was a Texas volunteer firefighter in 1987. Immediately after graduating High School I joined the United States Air Force as a Security Policeman. After serving our country overseas and deploying to three wars and several humanitarian and other operations spanning 25 years, I retired from active duty. My wife and I moved back to Maryland where we met to start the next chapter in our life. I became a member of the Maryland Department of Veterans Affairs as the Assistant Director of Cemetery and Memorial Programs in 2016. The transition was a welcoming change that helped foster a family atmosphere. My wife and I became proud parents in 2016 and 2018 to two daughters. Managing the Maryland State Memorials, I have been able to incorporate my experience to improve the public view of our veteran memorials and strengthen the bond with local and military communities. Coordinating cleaning days with the military outreach programs and the community has bolstered the relationship between the two and improved the longevity of the veteran memorials. My hard work paid off when I was asked to take the position of Director for the Cemetery and Memorial Programs in early 2019. Since taking this position I have learned more about the operations of the five cemeteries and continued the relationship with the federal Veterans Affairs department to improve the well-being and quality of service to the veteran community of Maryland.

My family and I enjoy spending time together on trips around the country. We also spend time at historical venues teaching about medieval history through historical reenactment. I am an avid motorcycle rider, horse rider and as part of Maryland’s official sport I am a professional full contact jouster.

On September 12, 2019 a Veterans Claims Clinic & Resource Fair was held at American Legion Post 278, in Stevensville, MD. This event was jointly sponsored by the Chesepeake Veterans Alliance, the United States Department of Veterans Affairs, the Maryland Department of Veterans Affairs and American Legion Post 278. 145 veterans attended the event to file claims or ask questions of agencies and organizations attending.

The Gold Star Mothers Maryland Chapter also attended the Claims Clinic to support the veterans seeking assistance. Shown in this photo are Ms. Gloria Crothers, MDVA Secretary George Owings, Ms. Deirdre McMahon and seated is Ms. Janice Chance, President and Chaplain of the Gold Star Mothers Maryland Chapter.

MDVA Secretary George Owings ran into a childhood friend, Mr. Ralph Stark and presented him with the Vietnam Veteran Lapel Pin. Both Secretary Owings and Mr. Stark are Vietnam Veterans. The truck they are standing in front of belongs to Mr. Stark, who now resides in Florida, but was visiting friends in Maryland.

On September 20, 2019 a ceremony was held at the American Legion Cook-Pinkney Post 141 in Annapolis for POW/MIA Recognition Day. Mr. James Diggs, who was held as a Prisoner of War for 33 months, was honored at the event. In this photo, MDVA Secretary George Owings is presenting a Governor's Citation to Mr. Diggs and thanking him for his service to our nation. At the event, Mr. Diggs was also interviewed for the Library of Congress' Veterans History Project.

POW/MIA at American Legion Post in Annapolis

This photo was also taken at the event held at American Legion Post 141 in Annapolis honoring former POW Norman Diggs. Shown in this photo are: Penny Collins, Commissioner on the Maryland Veterans Commission and also representing the Fleet Reserve Association, Mr. Howard Jim Gillis, President of the Montford Point Marine Association - Chapter 17, MDVA Secretary George Owings, Clarence "Tiger" Woods, former Maryland Delegate, Michael Barnes, Maryland Delegate - District 32, and Patrick Guibao, American Legion Legislative Officer

Also in recognition of POW/MIAs, a Chair of Honor was dedicated at the Worcester County Veterans Memorial at Ocean Pines. In this photo are: CSM James Nugent of the Maryland National Guard, Ms. Marie Gilmore, President of the Worcester County Veterans Memorial Foundation, Mr. Walter Webster who served in the United States Army, and is a former POW held in captivity, while serving in Korea, Senator Mary Beth Carozza and MDVA Secretary George Owings.

The Maryland Veterans Home Commissioners had the opportunity to hold their quarterly meeting on September 19, 2019 at Patriot Point in Taylors Island, MD. While there, the Commissioners presented a Vietnam Veteran Lapel Pin to Mr. Timothy A. Mitchell, a Vietnam Veteran and the property manager at Patriot Point. Pictured left to right are: Commissioner/Major General Andrew Anderson, Commissioner/ Lt. Col. Glenn Parker, MDVA Deputy Secretary Robert Finn, Commissioner/Lt. Col. Rod Azama, Commissioner Gloria Larman, Chairman/Brigadier General Warner Sumpter, Commissioner Tom Davis, Timothy A. Mitchell, Commissioner Larry Weckbaugh, MDVA Secretary George W. Owings, Commissioner Jason Franklin, Commissioner Gary Knight, Michelle Cariaso, Quality Assurance Manager at Charlotte Hall Veterans Home, Rodney Jones, Deputy Director at Charlotte Hall Veterans Home, and Commissioner/Former Delegate John Wood.

State Partner News

Spotlight on Education - Towson University

The Military and Veterans Center is hosting an Open House on October 1st. The link to additional information is here.

TU's Annual Veterans Film Series - Contemporary Conflicts. We are featuring two documentaries and two feature films about military deployment to Afghanistan and Iraq and the effects it has on the military personnel. I'm quite proud of the selection this year. You can see the listing and times here.

Maryland 211 has been updated. Get Connected Here

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What is the Census?

The U.S. Census Bureau conducts a count of every person living in the United States every 10 years, mandated by the U.S. Constitution in Article 1, Section 2. The data collected by the decennial census determines the number of seats Maryland has in the U.S. House of Representatives and is also used to distribute billions in federal funds to its local communities. (See sample Census 2020 questionnaire)

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The law requires the Census Bureau to keep all information confidential and use it only to
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More Information

On Friday, September 20, 2019 the POW/MIA Flag is displayed at the Maryland State House for POW/MIA Recognition Day.

Federal Partner News

On September 19, 2019 a funeral ceremony was held for Captain Phillip Lynn Brown, USA at the Baltimore National Cemetery. Captain Brown served in the Vietnam War and was the recipient of the Bronze Star with "V" device, as well as the Purple Heart. The ceremony was scheduled as an unaccompanied burial, which means there would be no family members present. However, the Veterans Community stepped up, and over 300 attended the service for Captain Brown. MDVA Secretary George Owings and Deputy Secretary Robert Finn, both Vietnam Veterans themselves, attended the ceremony.

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National Resource Directory

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Community Partner News

For Your Information

The Maryland Department of Veterans Affairs does not endorse the organizations sponsoring these events, and we do not endorse the views they express or the products/services they offer. The views and opinions expressed in any referenced document do not necessarily state or reflect those of MDVA. The information provided is intended for your general knowledge only, and serves solely as a MDVA community outreach effort.