The Maryland Veterans Commission advises the Secretary of Veterans and Military Families on all issues relating to veterans and is authorized 30 commissioners. Twenty nine positions are filled with representatives from Congressional Districts and Veterans Organizations, with one remaining as a member at large.  

Commissioners are appointed to five-year terms by the Governor and the Governor names the Chair. Maj Jim Shiffrin, USAF (Ret), currently represents the Maryland Council of Chapters on this Commission (through 2027). For more details, click HERE.

The last meeting of the Maryland Veterans’ Commission was on 21 Apr 2026. Here are highlights from that meeting (minutes will be provided later):

The Commission met on 21 Apr 2026. Here are highlights from the meeting:

Comments from Secretary Ed Rothstein:

• The Charlotte Hall Veterans Home has gone from a 1 star rating to a 4 star rating over the past two years – one more star to go!
• The 10th DVMF office in an MVA Building opened in Frederick.
• Most of the DVMF budget goes to Charlotte Hall, and most of the Department staff work at one of the five Cemeteries.
• There will be Memorial Day ceremonies at all of the cemeteries.
• The DVMF website has been redesigned.
• The Veterans Trust Fund has over $400,000, and the Department is in the process of hiring a new Director (again).
• The Department did not support the Claim Predators bill in Annapolis this year because they thought it would give legitimacy to the for-profit companies. Sec Rothstein would rather outlaw them entirely. Note – the Federal legislation under consideration would not outlaw them, but would reimpose penalties for bad acts.

Misty Bruce, Executive Director of the Maryland Center for Veterans Education and Training (McVet) briefed on the services her organization provides to primarily homeless veterans.

Lauren Buckingham, Adaptive Sports/Recreation Therapist with the VA Maryland Healthcare System, briefed on the adaptive sports services offered by her organization.

Here are recent minutes from the Commission: