(10/2018) Veterans have held a very special place in my heart from when I worked on Capitol Hill during a time that we sent off our precious sons and daughters, brothers and sisters, mothers and fathers to fight overseas. Since then the commitment and patriotism of those who risk their lives to keep us safe has been quite personal to me. As
a result, I seek opportunities to support, in any way possible, our honorable Veterans.
We recently passed Bill # 18-11 creating a Veterans Advisory Council (VAC). Its mission is to connect our local Veterans to the various services and programs that offer various levels of support. I have heard from a number of Veterans, especially Vietnam Veterans, who have noted that they wished there was some connectivity on a local level
to help them when they returned from combat. This legislation was co-sponsored by Council Vice President M.C. Keegan-Ayer, Council Member Tony Chmelik and myself. We worked together to craft the VAC to work collaboratively with established military Veteran oriented service organizations to develop and promote new and existing programs and services for Veterans and
their families within Frederick County. It is designed to work together with other county commissions, boards, councils and county staff related to Veterans’ interest. It envisions the creation of a "one-stop-shop" to be able to assist our Veterans at the local level.
The County Executive received quite a number of letters of interest in being part of the VAC. There are also legislatively designated positions to encompass a broad spectrum of support. The names of the selected individuals will be brought to the County Council for confirmation in the next few weeks.
I am very excited about this new VAC and fully support this effort as a source of support for our Veterans and hope the VAC kicks off as soon as possible.
On another front, we held a Gold Star Family Tribute here at Winchester Hall on Tuesday, September 25, 2018 to honor the family of U.S. Army PFC James Moore Jr. who was killed in combat in Vietnam on April 2, 1966. We were delighted to receive support from the USA Vietnam War Commemoration’s Director MG James Jackson, County Executive Jan
Gardner, Frederick City Mayor O’Connor and Aldermen, representatives from the Maryland Congressional Delegation, Fort Detrick’s Commander MG Barbara R. Holcomb, MD Veterans Commission Chairperson Fred Shinbur and Mount St. Mary’s President Dr. Tim Trainor, among others. Angela Spenser graced us with her beautiful rendition of the National Anthem and the Fort
Detrick Color Guard presented the flags.
It is so important for our nation to recognize the profound sacrifice of those who lost their beloveds in the line of duty. We were honored to be able to present PFC Moore’s mother, Katharine Moore and his sister, Alma Palm with special pins, proclamations, certificates and a posthumous Purple Heart. This event was humbling and yet very
rewarding to be able, after 52 years, to express our tremendous appreciation to them. It is never too late to say Thank You.
This past April we held a Vietnam Veteran Pinning Ceremony in coordination with Congressman Jamie Raskin’s office and the American Legion Post 11 in Frederick. Along with Congressman Raskin, we were joined by MG James Jackson and County Executive Garner in pinning 107 Vietnam Veterans. That was another remarkable and profoundly wonderful
support for our Veterans.
Please contact my office if you would like more information about the Vietnam War Era Pins and/or Gold Star Family Tributes. It would truly be a privilege to conduct more of these recognition ceremonies to honor our valiant Heroes. My executive assistant, Diana Modelski, is very happy to assist. Her number is 301-600-1101 or by email:
DModelski@frederickcountymd.gov.
Bud Otis is also running for County Council At-large as an independent
