MDVA Cemetery Visitation Hours Return to Pre-Pandemic Schedule
Effective June 29, 2020 all five state veteran cemeteries operate as follows:
Administration buildings will be open to the public. All visitors to the cemeteries and committal service guests will be required to adhere to social distancing guidelines, if not in the same household. All visitors must wear a face covering and those entering administration buildings will be required to complete a health questionnaire. If guests, clergy, or funeral home staff are ill, it is encouraged that they do not attend burial services.
Visiting:
On June 29, 2020, visiting hours will return to normal, Monday-Sunday, 8:00 AM to 4:45 PM
Burials:
On June 29, 2020, cemeteries will return to normal burial schedules. However, committal services in cemetery shelters will be at 50% capacity. Shelters are of differing square footage, therefore capacity inside will vary.
Cheltenham Veterans Cemetery: maximum of 35 persons in the shelter
Crownsville Veterans Cemetery: maximum of 24 persons in the shelter
Eastern Shore Veterans Cemetery: maximum of 30 persons in the shelter
Garrison Forest Veterans Cemetery: maximum of 30 persons in the shelter
Rocky Gap Veterans Cemetery: maximum of 27 persons in the shelter
Funeral home directors have received written notification detailing operational changes. The Department encourages family to work with their funeral home director in advance of a service to ensure all guests are aware of these changes as well.
The Department will revisit changes to operations as Governor Hogan’s Road to Recovery Plan advances.
To contact individual cemeteries, please email:
Chelthenham Veterans Cemetery: cheltenham.vc@maryland.gov
Crownsville Veterans Cemetery: crownsville.vc@maryland.gov
Eastern Shore Veterans Cemetery: easternshore.vc@maryland.gov
Garrison Forest Veterans Cemetery: garrisonforest.vc@maryland.gov
Rocky Gap Veterans Cemetery: rockygap.vc@maryland.gov
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On June 24th, Keith Brown (left) was presented with his 5 year State Service Pin by Russell Ware, Director of the MDVA Cemetery and Memorials Program. Keith began his career with MDVA as a Grounds Caretaker, and was promoted to the position of Mechanical Equipment Operator. He was promoted once again and is now the Superintendent of the Memorials Program. Thank you Keith, for your hard work and dedication and congratulations on your work anniversary.
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Tami Hardesty, pictured on the left is the MDVA Benefits Specialist at the newly relocated Hagerstown office. This new location was developed through a partnership between MDVA and the Maryland Motor Vehicle Administration (MVA). The office is located inside the MVA building, 18306 Colonel Henry K, Douglas Drive, Hagerstown, MD 21740. Please call Tami for an appointment on 240-527-6894. Appointments are scheduled on Tuesdays and Thursdays.
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New MDVA office in Hagerstown
Bill Honoring Veterans Assigns Portion of MDOT MVA
Specialty Plate Fees to Maryland Veterans Trust Fund
GLEN BURNIE, MD – A new law taking effect July 1 benefits Maryland veterans every time certain special vehicle registration plates are purchased from the Maryland Department of Transportation Motor Vehicle Administration (MDOT MVA). House Bill 646 was passed in the 2020 Maryland General Assembly session and allocates $10 from the sale of certain plates to Maryland Veterans Trust Fund, a non-emergency, temporary financial assistance program administered by the Maryland Department of Veterans Affairs.
Eligible plates include those recognizing individually earned combat-related armed services medals; honorably discharged veterans; and recipients of U.S. Department of Defense Gold Star status, which is awarded to a surviving spouse, parent, or next of kin of a United States armed forces member who lost his or her life in combat.
“We’re proud to honor our veterans with not only specialty plates, but also a variety of options that provide them easier access to vital services,” said MDOT MVA Administrator Chrissy Nizer. “With the implementation of this bill, veterans and families who order these specialty plates can be assured that part of the fee will help other veterans in need.”
“This past fiscal year, the Maryland Department of Veterans Affairs distributed more than $100,000 in Trust Fund grants to veterans in need of financial assistance,” said Maryland Department of Veterans Affairs Secretary George Owings. “We are thankful House Bill 646 was enacted this year. We look forward to expanding our commitment to those who have served, and working with the Maryland Motor Vehicle Administration toward that goal.”
While the new law applies only to certain specialty plates and those eligible to receive them, anyone can donate to the Maryland Veterans Trust Fund. Details are available HERE.
MDOT MVA honors the men and women who serve our nation in several ways, including a “Veterans Status” designation on their driver’s license or identification card indicating they are eligible for state veteran benefits. MDOT MVA has issued more than 125,000 drivers licenses and IDs with a veteran designation. MDOT MVA also offers more than 100 specialty license plates honoring America’s military, as well as vehicle registration cards and license plate stickers for veterans who qualify as 100 percent disabled.
MDOT MVA also has customer service initiatives dedicated to helping veterans and their families access resources quickly and conveniently.
This month, MDOT MVA and the Maryland Department of Veterans Affairs opened a veteran’s service center inside the Hagerstown branch office. It is the third veteran service center in an MDOT MVA branch. The first opened in 2019 at the Glen Burnie branch and the second opened in March inside the Salisbury branch office. All three veteran’s benefits centers are open during MDOT MVA business hours by appointment only. For information on these and other services, visit mva.maryland.gov/Pages/ militaryandveterans.
Each quarter of the year, Valor Construction selects one veteran who needs assistance and replaces the roof of their home. This photo was taken recently at the home of a veteran who received a new replacement roof. Those who came out to congratulate the veteran included: Deputy Chief Spriggs, Fire Fighter Drew, Battalion Chief Powel, Adam Kincaid (Valor Construction), MDVA Secretary George Owings, Fire Fighter Pratt, Lieutenant Makovisky, and Al Kincaid, Valor Construction President. | 
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