Military and Veterans Affairs Committee at Arlington

Arlington Creates Military and Veterans Affairs Committee

November 17, 2015 | News Release

• Will coordinate community efforts to recognize, support Arlington’s active duty military, veterans and their families
• County Manager-appointed committee first of its kind in the region
• Residents encouraged to follow committee activities, get involved

Acting County Manager Mark Schwartz today announced the creation of the Arlington County Military and Veterans Affairs Committee. The Manager is appointing the committee to identify, prioritize and implement programs and initiatives to recognize and support our active duty military population, our veterans, and their families.

The Military and Veterans Affairs Committee will include representatives from County government, local military commands, the USS Arlington, the business community, local, regional and national service organizations and other stakeholders.

“Arlington has always honored and paid tribute to our men and women in uniform, but the time has come to do more,” Schwartz said.  “This committee will look for creative, effective ways to serve them and their families as they so nobly and courageously serve us.”

Specifically, the County Manager will direct the committee to work to:

• Support and strengthen the relationship between local active duty and civilian military commands, the local veterans community, Arlington County government, County residents and the local business community;
• Coordinate and utilize Arlington County Government and community resources in support of the local military community in carrying out their missions;
• Develop, implement and maintain initiatives and programs that provide the Arlington community with an opportunity to recognize and honor the service to our country provided by our military members and their families, including, but not limited to Memorial Day and Veterans Day;
• Work with the USS Arlington Community Alliance to serve as the County Liaison with the USS Arlington and her crew; and
• Serve as the chief County Liaison for the Vietnam War Commemoration.

Head of sexual assault "prevention" entered "no plea" after arrest

Krusinski enters no plea; trial date set for July 18
By Jennifer Hlad
Stars and Stripes
Published: May 9, 2013

ARLINGTON, Va. — The Air Force’s recently removed head of sexual assault prevention and response did not enter a plea to charges of sexual battery Thursday, just days after his arrest inflamed an already heated debate about the military’s efforts to stop sexual assault.

His trial was set for July 18.

Lt. Col. Jeffrey Krusinski, 41, of Arlington, Va., was arrested early Sunday morning, according to Arlington police. He was accused of approaching a woman in a parking lot and grabbing her breasts and buttocks, according to the crime report. He was released Sunday on a $5,000 personal recognizance bond.
read more here

Grief Camp for military families focus on kids healing

A weekend at grief camp: 'It's never going to be the same'
By Chelsea J. Carter
CNN
updated 7:25 AM EDT, Sun June 10, 2012

STORY HIGHLIGHTS
Hundreds of children who've lost a parent or sibling in war attend annual grief camp
Some have been coming for years; for others it's their first time at Washington-area event
Children are paired with volunteer adult mentors, usually active-duty service members
Program gives kids a chance to talk about what happened with those who'll understand

Arlington, Virginia (CNN) -- Jordan Turner looks down at the scrap paper on the table in front of him. The instructions sound simple enough: On one side, write a negative word associated with grief; on the other, a positive word.

Words have always come easily to the lanky 15-year-old, who hours earlier walked into a Washington-area hotel conference room full of unfamiliar faces and easily fell into conversation with teens and adults alike.
read more here

Unknown soldier's grave has plenty of company with 7 more sets of remains

US investigates burial of eight in grave of 'unknown' soldier
The US army said on Friday it had launched a criminal investigation after it found eight sets of cremated remains in the grave of an "unknown" soldier at Arlington National Cemetery.

Three sets of the cremated remains have so far been identified, and cemetery officials are in the process of notifying the families, she said.

Investigators are still looking into four other sets of remains, and the eighth was reinterred because it could not be positively identified.

Ms Horst said the investigation was ongoing, and that the army and the cemetery "take these matters seriously."

Chris Grey, of the army's Criminal Investigation Command, said the burial did not appear to have been an accident.

"When there's eight sets of human remains in one grave, it's most likely not a mistake, so we have to look into whether there is any criminality involved," he told USA Today.

read more here
US investigates burial of eight in grave

DOD:Non Combat Death in Afghanistan

04/08/09 : DoD Identifies Army Casualty
Spc. Adam M. Kuligowski, 21, of Arlington, Va., died Apr. 6 in Bagram, Afghanistan, of injuries sustained from a non-combat related incident. He was assigned to the Special Troops Battalion, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault), Fort Campbell, Ky.

http://icasualties.org/oef/