Overview Pennsylvania Department of Military and Veterans Affairs

Pennsylvania Department of Military and Veterans Affairs

The Pennsylvania State Veterans Commission

The Commission is comprised of representatives of all major veterans’ organizations throughout the commonwealth, as well as a representative of the Association of County Directors for Veterans Affairs.

The Commission meets regularly to consider, among other things, pending legislation at the Federal and State levels that is of interest to veterans.

The State Veterans Commission is composed of:

• The Adjutant General, ex officio, or designee

• The State Commander, Commandant, or head of his designee of each of the following named veterans organizations:

  • The American Legion

  • AMVETS

  • Blinded Veterans Association

  • Catholic War Veterans of the United States of America

  • Disabled American Veterans

  • Jewish War Veterans of the United States

  • Marine Corps League

  • Military Officers Association of America

  • Military Order of the Purple Heart

  • State Association of County Directors of Veterans Affairs

  • Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States

  • Veterans of World War I of the United States of America

  • Italian-American War Veterans of the United States

  • The Vietnam Veterans of America

  • American Ex-Prisoners of War

  • Keystone Paralyzed Veterans Association

    
    

• Four members at large appointed by the Governor each of whom shall be a veteran and a member in good or regular standing of a Pennsylvania branch, post, lodge, or club of a recognized national veterans organization active in the commonwealth.

• At least one member shall be a female veteran, and at least

  one member shall be a veteran of the Vietnam Era.

• The State Adjutants of the American Legion, the Disabled American Veterans and the Veterans of Foreign Wars, and the Executive Director of AMVETS serve as nonvoting members.
  

For questions on meetings and commission information, email us at RA-SVC@pa.gov or call us at (717) 861-8902.

Acknowledgment: Pennsylvania Department of Military and Veterans Affairs http://www.dmva.state.pa.us/

County Directors of Veterans Affairs

County Directors of Veterans Affairs provide county veterans and their dependents direct assistance to identify, determine eligibility, and assist in the preparation of applications for County, State, and Federal veterans benefits and programs. The County Director is responsible for the payment of Burial Allowances and ensuring Grave Markers and Headstones are properly requested and placed for each deceased County Veteran.

They also provide direct application for State programs like Real Estate Tax Exemption, Veterans Emergency Assistance, Blind and Paralyzed Pensions and Education Gratuity for Veterans who are currently rated 100% Permanent and Total by the Federal Veterans Administration.