Fairfax County is proud to announce the Veterans and Military Families Commission, a new commission established by the Board of Supervisors that will provide services to county veterans and their families.

Five commission at-large board members - Robert Magielnicki, Michael S. Donovan, Angela Howard, Penny Gross and Michael Halligan - were appointed by the Board of Supervisors on Tuesday, May 21, 2024. Thirteen more members representing FCPS, George Mason University and area military organizations, among others, have been nominated and will be confirmed at a future date. 

The commission, coordinated through the Fairfax County Department of Neighborhood and Community Services, was established to identify the unique issues and challenges faced by Fairfax County veterans, active duty service members, military retirees and their families to connect them with services and supports, address gaps in services and opportunities, improve access to service systems, and enhance the institutional structures across the continuum of care for the military community. 

The commission will seek advice and guidance from county staff to address the problems facing the military community that lives and works in Fairfax County.

According to the Board Matter introduced in January 2024, Fort Belvoir is Fairfax County’s largest employer, and the county is home to more than 45,000 active-duty military, selected reserve members, and an estimated 65,000 veterans. More than 14,500 students in Fairfax County Public Schools are connected to the military, and 18 Fairfax County schools have been recognized as Purple Star Schools.

Christopher Pulley, NCS' Veterans Coordinator and an Air Force veteran, said years of efforts have resulted in the establishment of the commission.

"I can think of no better way to honor Military Appreciation Month in May than to formally announce this commission," said Pulley. "There are so many issues affecting today's veterans. Among them: affordable housing, food insecurity, affordable childcare, employment, mental health and medical treatment. "

For more information, please visit the Veterans and Military Families Commission website. For additional resources, please visit the Fairfax County veterans page.