History of MDVA

The Maryland Department of Veterans Affairs

The Maryland Department of Veterans Affairs was created by the state legislature in 1999 as an executive agency with the mission of assisting veterans, active duty service members, their families, and their dependents in securing benefits earned through military service.
The Department’s origin follows the history of the Maryland Veterans Commission back to 1924, when the Soldiers' Relief Fund Commission was formed to administer a State relief fund for disabled veterans of World War I.

Under the Department of Veterans Affairs are four major programs: the Veterans Cemetery and Memorials Program; the Veterans Home Program; the Veterans Service and Benefits Program and the Outreach and Advocacy Program. The Department is responsible for Charlotte Hall Veterans Home, the War Memorial Building and War Memorial Plaza, 5 State owned Veterans Cemeteries and 3 Memorials and a Civil War Cemetery. The Department is assisted by the Maryland Veterans Commission; the Maryland Veterans Home Commission; the War Memorial Commission; and the Maryland Military Monuments Commission.

Office of the Secretary

The Secretary of Veterans Affairs heads the Department. Appointed by the Governor with Senate advice and consent, the Secretary must be an honorably discharged veteran. The Secretary serves on the Governor's Executive Council; the Governor's Commission on Maryland Military Monuments; the Interagency Council on Aging; the Interagency Council on Homelessness; and the Veterans Behavioral Health Advisory Board.

Outreach & Advocacy Program

In June 2006, the Outreach and Advocacy Program was authorized by the General Assembly. The Program ensures that veterans know what services, benefits, and assistance the federal and State governments provide for them. Outreach & Advocacy informs and educates veterans and their eligible dependents of business, tax, health care, disability, pension and education benefits to which they might be entitled. The Program further keeps the Governor and General Assembly informed on issues important to veterans which may require gubernatorial or legislative action.

Veterans Service & Benefits Program

The Veterans Service and Benefits Program assists eligible veterans in applying for veteran benefits.  These benefits include education, home loans, insurance, pensions, and compensation for service-related disabilities, as well as benefits for health care, burial, and surviving family members. Through the Program, the Department's Service And Benefits Officers advise, assist, and represent Maryland veterans, their dependents, and survivors seeking federal, state and local veteran benefits. Veterans Benefits Specialists help veterans develop, prepare and submit claims for these benefits enumerated by federal, state and local law. To achieve these purposes, the Department operates veterans service and benefits offices at various locations throughout the State.

Veterans Home Program

Charlotte Hall Veterans Home is the only veterans home in the State of Maryland. The facility opened in 1985 and is situated in a beautiful park like setting on 126 tranquil acres. The Home is a 462 bed facility providing a continuum of care from the 184 bed Assisted Living unit to a higher level of care in the 278 Skilled Nursing Home.  Specialized care, for those suffering from Alzheimer's and other related dementias, is provided in two 42 bed secured units.  On Veterans Day 2004, spouses of veterans who did not themselves serve in the armed forces became eligible for admission to the Home. 

Veterans Cemetery & Memorial Programs

In 1973, the Maryland Veterans Commission was authorized to acquire cemetery sites for honorably discharged Maryland veterans and their immediate families. Since State land would be used, funds were authorized in 1974 to develop cemeteries rather than to acquire sites.
Through the Veterans Cemetery Program, the Department now operates five cemeteries for veterans and their dependents. The Department sets eligibility requirements for burial. The cemeteries are located in Allegany, Anne Arundel, Baltimore, Dorchester and Prince George's counties. 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 also is maintained by the Department.

The Veterans Memorial Program was established in 1989 to operate, maintain, secure, and preserve the State Veterans Memorials. All are open to the public 365 days a year. They are operated and cared for by the Department. In June 2006, oversight for all State Veterans Memorials was transferred from the Commission to the Department.

Maryland Korean Veterans Memorial

The Maryland Korean War Memorial was dedicated May 27, 1990. Administration of the Maryland Korean War Memorial was reassigned from the Korean War Memorial Commission to the Maryland Veterans Commission in 1989.

Maryland Vietnam Veterans Memorial

Responsibility for administering the Maryland Vietnam Veterans Memorial transferred from the Maryland Vietnam Veterans Memorial Commission to the Maryland Veterans Commission in 1989. The Maryland Vietnam Veterans Memorial was dedicated May 28, 1989.

Maryland World War II Memorial

Dedicated July 23, 1998, the Maryland World War II Memorial was assigned to the Program in 1999.