In Maryland, Democratic Governor Martin O'Malley will announce two mid-term Cabinet appointments Tuesday, including the first Asian American to serve in his cabinet. Edward Chow Jr., 70. Chow, a U.S. Army veteran and long-time community organizer, will serve as O'Malley's veterans affairs secretary.  According to local news reports:

Chow has served as director of programs at the Asian Pacific American Institute for Congressional Studies, and as president of the Maryland State Council of the Vietnam Veterans of America. He also worked in the federal Department of Veterans Affairs.

 

Chow will take over for Army Brig. Gen. James Adkins, who has been serving double duty in that role and as the state adjutant general since last June. Before then, George W. Owings had served as head of the veterans agency as a holdover from former Gov. Robert L. Ehrlich’s administration.

With Eric Shinseki and Tammy Duckworth leading the Veteran Affairs Department for President Obama, it's so nice to see so many AAPI veterans being acknowledged for their leadership on behalf of so many who serve this country in the military.