Lt. Governor Brown and Staff Participate in Week of Service Activities Honoring Maryland's Veterans

 

September 9, 2009 – Lt. Governor Anthony G. Brown and members of his staff participated in several service projects today to honor Maryland’s veterans. Today’s activities are part of Brown’s “Week of Service,” during which he will participate in service activities across the state in the days leading up to the remembrance of the September 11 attacks.

“Our veterans have given us so much and asked for so little in return. I am honored to have the opportunity today to spend a few hours giving back and honoring their sacrifice,” Lt. Governor Brown said. “While we mourn those who gave their lives in defense of this nation and on September 11, we are reminded each day that we are a strong nation and that we share common goals and a common dream. This week, I hope we can all remember their sacrifice by taking time to give back to the communities that have given us strength throughout the years.”

Brown’s agenda today included a visit to Cheltenham State Veterans Cemetery in Prince George’s County where he joined members of the local Veterans of Foreign Wars and American Legion chapters, Cheltenham staff, and state inmates enrolled in rehabilitation programs to paint a fence that runs along the cemetery grounds and several rooms inside one of the cemetery’s administrative buildings.

Cheltenham State Veterans Cemetery opened in 1978 and is the final resting place for more than 18,000 Maryland veterans and family members. Cheltenham is one of five state veterans’ cemeteries and is operated by the Maryland Department of Veterans Affairs Veterans Cemetery Program.

Later in the day, Brown spent time with disabled veterans at the Loch Raven Rehabilitation Center in Baltimore. Brown served the veterans refreshments and thanked them for their service to America before joining them for a round of games on the Nintendo Wii, including Wii Bowling. The Loch Raven Rehabilitation Center is operated by the United States Department of Veterans Affairs.

Brown, the nation’s highest-ranking elected official to have served a tour of duty in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom, leads the O’Malley-Brown Administration’s efforts to expand and improve services for Maryland’s veterans. During the 2008 legislative session, Brown helped the administration pass a comprehensive veterans package that included the creation of the Veterans Behavioral Health Advisory Board, which Brown chairs, and provide funding to expand access to behavioral health services for returning service members.

This evening and tomorrow, Brown will continue his “Week of Service” activities by spending time with Maryland’s seniors. He is scheduled to meet tonight with seniors at Oak Crest Senior Facility and make sandwiches to be delivered to shelters across the Baltimore region. Tomorrow, Brown will join volunteers and staff at Our Daily Bread to serve homeless seniors breakfast and will later deliver school supplies to grandparents at Sandtown Winchester Senior Center who are primary caregivers for school-aged children.

 

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