Rep. Drew MacEwen, R-Union, was appointed to the Joint Committee on Veterans’ and Military Affairs earlier this week. MacEwen  received word of his new appointment from House Speaker Frank Chopp. MacEwen was chosen, in part, because of his six years of service in the U.S. Navy Submarine Force and graduation from the elite U.S. Navy Nuclear Propulsion Program.

“I am honored to have been appointed and I look forward to working on behalf of our service men and women,” said MacEwen. ” As a veteran myself, I hope to bring first-hand perspective to a committee that makes critical recommendations that impact our military.”

The 16-member Joint Committee on Veterans’ and Military Affairs was created in 2001 and studies issues regarding veterans, active military forces and the National Guard. Members are tasked with making recommendations to the Legislature. The committee also studies the structure and administration of the Washington State Department of Veterans’ Affairs and the military department.