BVA Happenings recognizes the noteworthy confirmation and swearing-in of Sam Brown as the eighth VA Undersecretary for Memorial Affairs three weeks ago. The U.S. Senate approved Brown’s nomination on July 29 in a 54-44 vote mostly along party lines, with two Nevada Democrats breaking to support the Army veteran. He himself ran unsuccessfully for the Senate last year in the state. VA Secretary Doug Collins conducted Brown’s swearing-in on July 31. Brown’s path to confirmation had been delayed for several months as part of a broader opposition in Congress to Presidential nominees in general. 

Born in Arkansas as a member of the Cherokee nation and a West Point graduate, Brown brings military experience and an entrepreneurial background to his new position. He served five years in the Army before he was severely wounded by an Improvised Explosive Device in 2008 while deployed in Afghanistan with the 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division, out of Fort Hood, Texas, as an Airborne Ranger-qualified infantry officer. The blast left him with burns over nearly one-third of his body and resulted in the loss of his left index finger.

Brown retired from  the Army in 2011 and, in 2012, returned to Afghanistan to provide inspiration to U.S. troops.

In his new role as Undersecretary, Brown oversees VA’s 155 national cemeteries and leads the National Cemetery Administration. Responsibilities include managing the VA grant program for state and tribal veteran cemeteries and continuing development of the department’s online memorial services.

Learn more about Secretary Brown’s extraordinary personal history in the military via VA News as well as his opening statement at his original Senate confirmation hearing on May 14.