Senator Roy Dyson is doing some great things for Maryland Veterans and their widows.

 

Yesterday,  at Cheltenham Veterans Cemetery, I joined Senator Roy Dyson at meeting he had Secretary George Owings of the Maryland Department of Veterans Affairs, and veterans from Maryland so that he could hear our views about our five Maryland State Veterans Cemeteries. 

 

At the meeting, Senator Roy Dyson expressed his strong interest in our opinions and openly shared with us his knowledge beginning in  1978 of what the Maryland Legislature has been doing to help our veterans as they get older and face death.

 

Senator Dyson also talked to us about what he is doing to make sure our State Cemeteries have the resources and equipment they need to do their jobs.

 

Senator Dyson has solidly and soundly supported the men and women fighting overseas by supporting efforts to provide financial relief to help make this tremendous sacrifice a little easier for the members and their families, and ensuring that our veterans receive the benefits they were promised when they agreed to defend freedom.

 

Because of Senator Dyson - our Maryland veterans are awarded the lasting honor of a dignified burial AT NO COST.

 

Being in the military 32 years, it was a wonderful surprise to me to find out from Secretary George Owings that Maryland State provides free burial for all our veterans, and for a very small fee,  around  $350 the veterans pounce and dependent children can be buried at the same gave site.

 

FREE BURIALS for veterans is a wonderful surprise to me. As I face my older age, i was looking at how I was trying to save money to  somehow cover the expense of a  $15,000 or more for a burial in a local cemetery. 

 

Now I find out I do not have to worry about that. It gives me a great feeling and really makes me feel good to be retired and living in Maryland. 

 

I think Maryland Department of Veteran Affairs is perfuming and providing a wonderful program for our  veterans.

 

Inadditition to Secretary George Owings attending Senator Dyson's meeting were  war hero Clancy Lyall of Band of Brothers fame (Chairman of the Veterans Advisory Committee for the four Counties of Southern Maryland) and Superintendent Martin Fahey, of Cheltenham Veterans Cemetery.

 

Secretary Owings briefed the veterans, explaining the Maryland Department of Veterans Affairs has largest program to support Veterans than any other state in the United States.

 

Maryland citizens wanting to find out more information about the Maryland Department of Veterans Affairs programs, can find all they need to know via internet at mdva.state.md.us.

 

There is alot of information about veteran retirement homes, our five Maryland state operated veterans cemeteries -  and how to apply online for burial interment via internet.

 

At yesterday's meeting, Senator Roy Dyson was decisive in providing the key support for the Department of Veterans Affairs as outlined by Secretary George Owings. 

 

Secretary Owings announced the establishment of a new volunteer program for high school students to earn community support work hours; and our famous war hero, Clancy Lyall took on the mission of contacting veterans organizations to visit high schools to bring this new program to the attention of school administrators - so that their students needing to earn community project work hours - can participate. Of particular interest from Secretary Owings view point was the need for citizens to go to the cemeteries and report back to his staff the areas that need maintenance or improvement. High school students needing to achieve their 90 hour community service work, would be ideal for this effort.

 

Since 1978 -  Roy Dyson has risen as the key supporter of Veterans programs in the State of Maryland.

 

Without Senator Roy Dyson there would be no state veterans cemeteries in operation today in Maryland, why, because in early 1970's he was the guy that got the ground.....for the newest cemetery.....and now we have free funerals for those veterans that risked their lives in protecting our freedom; and now is the man that finds the money.

 

We veterans in Southern Maryland need to stand strong and protect our vital interests, and along that path, I think we need to show our strong appreciation for the patriotic public service of our State Senator, the Honorable Roy Dyson.

 

Thanks for taking the time to read my letter.

 

Colonel James H. Krilich, USAR Retired
Dameron

Life Member DAV, MOAA, ROA, NGAUS, VFW, DAV, American Legion