ABERDEEN PROVING GROUND, Md. - The Harford County Commission on Veterans Affairs picked Armed Forces Day to host a Veterans Muster at the McFaul Activities Center in Bel Air May 17. Commission President Annie Brock said the day was the perfect backdrop for veteran service organizations to come together for the growing veteran populations of Harford and Cecil counties.
The event drew Veteran Service Organizations and businesses with veteran-focused programs from around the region.
Highlights included remarks by guest speaker Phil Surace, supervisor of the Disabled American Veterans National Service Office in Baltimore. Surace talked about benefits for all veterans, not just those eligible for compensation. He shared the background on DAV and other organizations and advised listeners how to apply for benefits.
"So many out there don't realize they are eligible for care which makes it so important to let them know what they need to do to follow up on claims and establish service connection," he said.
He added that the Maryland Veterans Affairs health system is among the best in the country and that he tells veterans inquiring about backlog that they should not tackle the system by themselves.
"I tell them to do it electronically or let us do it for them," he said, adding that it's satisfying to see many Vietnam era veterans who never filed before, but now are experiencing heart or prostate conditions, actually filing for possible benefits.
"I love helping get them on track and I love talking to younger veterans who will spread the word and carry this on," he said.
Brock recognized Vietnam-era veterans and the ground-breaking women who served in the Women's Army Corps (WAC); as Women Air Force Service Pilots (WASP); Women in the Air Force (WAF); Women Accepted for Volunteer Emergency Service (WAVES), and U.S. Coast Guard Women's Reserve (SPAR).
Members of these groups in attendance received Harford County proclamations recognizing their service.
Vendors on hand included the Susquehanna Chapter of the Military Officers Association of America; Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 6054; Harford Community College; Harford County Marine Corps League; Paralyzed Veterans of America and more.
One strong attention-getter was the Noncommissioned Officer Association (NCOA) display led by retired Sgt. Maj. Ed Daly, an APG civilian with CECOM-LRC. Daly said the brand new chapter, which is just over one-month-old, has 10 members and is growing. Known as the Four State Liberty Chapter, membership is open to residents of Maryland, Delaware, Pennsylvania and New Jersey, Daly said.
"We're here to support veterans of Harford and Cecil County and we're hoping we take off and support the rest of the community."
He said the group meets 7 p.m. at Main Street Cigars, 2217 E. Churchville Road in Bel Air the first Tuesday of the month, he added.
"This is about coming together as NCOs. All branches, active, Guard, Reserve, retirees and their Family members are eligible to join."
Attendees said they appreciated the chance to view the wide variety of resources for veterans under one roof.
Mary K. Moses, a member of the commission for more than six years, is the WAC representative and a member of Freestate Chapter 70 Women's Army Corp Veterans Association; the only chapter of the national organization in Maryland. A Harford County Government retiree, Moses served in the Army Reserves from 1977 to 1981. She called serving on both Chapter 70 and on the commission "rewarding."
Noting that membership in the Chapter is open to women of all branches who have served or are serving, Moses said giving back to the veteran community is the primary focus.
"We need to be there for them, especially our aging and hospitalized veterans, because they were there for us," she said.
The Freestate Chapter 70 WACVA meets 11 a.m., every first Saturday at the Aberdeen Senior Center on Franklin Street in the City of Aberdeen.
Vietnam-era veteran Jack Keck said he attended after he saw a flyer advertising the event.
"I learned some new things and I appreciate the information and any efforts to help from the Disabled American Veterans and the VSOs," he said.
Keck is the father of former Wounded Warrior and APG civilian Kelly Keck who died suddenly in March.
James Jenkins, a veteran in the Perry Point VA Medical Center's Domiciliary Program, said he learned how to re-file a claim he submitted years ago. A Vietnam-era veteran, Jenkins said he was thrilled to learn he could receive the same benefits as any veteran.
"This community absolutely supports veterans," he said. "I haven't been here that long but other veterans have told me how they were helped so I'm convinced."
And helping fellow veterans is what it's all about, according to Richard Carey, a retired lieutenant colonel and vice-president for membership at the Susquehanna Chapter MOAA display.
"We do a lot locally and nationally for veterans benefits," Carey said, adding that MOAA lobbying efforts in Annapolis helped secure a $5,000 exemption from Maryland tax for military retirees.
"If there's one thing veterans know, it's how to make things happen," he said.
Denise Perry, State Quartermaster and spokesperson for Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 6045 located at 206 Spesutia Road in Perryman, said visitors seemed interested in the different positions in the organization, its goals and the VFW as a national organization.
"We're busier than ever distributing information about local chapters and doing outreach to our young Iraq and Afghanistan veterans," she said. "They are our future."
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