Commission for Veterans & Military Families

About the Commission

Established in 2011 by County legislation, the Commission is comprised of 13 members, and created to support veterans and military families by strengthening Howard County’s capacity to care for them. By connecting them to available resources, promoting educational and employment opportunities, and continuing community outreach efforts, we are committed to honoring our veteran and military families.

View the Commission's 2024 Annual Report

PACT Act Veterans Claims Clinic

Howard County veterans who need help filing a PACT Act claim or applying for VA health care, register to attend the PACT Act Veterans Claim Clinic and VA Health Care Information Fair at the East Columbia 50+ Center on April 22 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Resource tables will offer a variety of informative materials for veterans. Bring copies of your pertinent medical records, military discharge paperwork (DD-214) and a photo ID.

To register, call 410-230-4444 extension 16450 or visit the event website at https://pactactcolumbia.rsvpify.com/.

Flag Day Ceremony honors 7,149th American Flag Retirement

On Flag Day June 14, 2024, a member of the Daughters of the American Revolution placed the 7,149th flag in the Alpha Ridge Landfill flag retirement container since its installation on Veterans Day 2015. If you have a tattered flag, you too, can retire it. For more information, visit the Alpha Ridge residents' convenience center website.

Learn about proper flag retirement

A woman places a flag in the flag retirement container at the Alhpa Ridge Landfill as a veteran looks on.

Commission Information

Meeting Schedule

Commission meetings are held on the first Thursday of the month at 7 p.m. with the exception of July and August. The meetings are currently being held virtually, but when in-person meetings resume, we will meet at the Department of Community Resources and Services, 9830 Patuxent Woods Drive in Columbia, MD 21046. Meetings are open to the public; if you wish to attend, email lbterry@howardcountymd.gov.