MDVA in Photos

Thank you for reading the Maryland Department of Veterans Affairs (MDVA) e-newsletter.  With your help, the email distribution list has topped 70,000 subscribers! It has been a busy two weeks for MDVA Secretary George Owings and the MDVA staff since the last e-newsletter was published, so we are sharing some photos of events and news around the state. MDVA

MDVA Welcomes New Service Officer at Charlotte Hall

The newest member of the MDVA Team is Christina Woodards, who is a Service Officer serving at Charlotte Hall Veterans Home. Christina is a California native, who joined the Navy in 1999.  During her active duty service, Christina made two West-Pac deployments including one to the Persian Gulf in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.  Christina worked as Veteran Service Representative in California.  Now as a Maryland resident, Christina has joined MDVA as Service Officer. Please join us in welcoming Christina to MDVA!

MDVA Service and Benefits Program

Saturday, November 17, 2017: Several Chapters of the Desert Knights, with the Assistance of American Legion Post 175, raised $1,100 and twenty large boxes of toys for the Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots program.  From left to right are: Yukon, Pepper, Sartor, Longhorn, Tinman, MDVA Secretary George Owings, Ruck and Scorch.

On Monday, November 20th, the Maryland Department of Veterans Affairs hosted a delegation from China for a tour of the Maryland Veterans Cemetery in Crownsville.  The delegation of 19 members represented the Ministry of Civil Affairs at both the central and provincial government levels.  The delegation received an overview of the responsibilities of the Department of Veterans Affairs, as well as insight into state regulations and policies governing interment of veterans and services and programs available for veterans, the fallen, and their families. 

Pictured: (left to right) Deputy Secretary Robert Finn, Guiguang Li, Deputy Director-General of Special Care and Settlement Bureau, Ministry of Civil Affairs of the People's Republic of China, MDVA Secretary George Owings, and Christoper Piscitelli, Director, Cemetery and Memorial Programs.

MDVA Cemetery & Memorials Program

Secretary George Owings represented Governor Larry Hogan at the recent signing of the 

Ft. Meade Community Covenant.

Governor Larry Hogan Announces Military Veterans to Receive Free Admission to Maryland State Parks

Complimentary Benefit Extends to Residents and Non-Residents

ANNAPOLIS, MD – In honor of Veterans Day, Governor Larry Hogan today announced that all military veterans, including residents and non-residents, will be granted free admission and entrance to the network of 72 state parks managed by the Maryland Park Service.

The governor’s announcement directly impacts over 414,000 veterans living in Maryland with the highest concentrations residing in Prince George’s, Anne Arundel, Baltimore and Montgomery counties, and Baltimore City, and the region’s more than 1.4 million veterans.

“We can never thank our brave servicemen and women enough for what they have done and continue to do for our citizens, our state, and our nation,” said Governor Hogan. “By providing veterans this complimentary benefit, which encourages them to access and enjoy our great outdoors, we hope to express our sincere appreciation, gratitude, and respect for their service.”

Effective immediately, the governor’s announcement will eliminate park admission fees for all veterans at every single state park, including Assateague State Park in Worcester County, Deep Creek Lake State Park in Garrett County, Point Lookout State Park in St. Mary’s County, and Sandy Point State Park in Anne Arundel County. Free day-use park admission is already provided to active duty military personnel and members of the Maryland National Guard.

“As a veteran of the U.S. Navy, I want to thank the governor for his bold action, leadership, and support for our armed forces,” said Maryland Natural Resources Secretary Mark Belton. “By encouraging more veterans to engage and experience our state lands and parks, both our citizens and visitors will benefit.”

The Maryland Department of Natural Resources offers several initiatives, programs, and special rates for active duty service members, military veterans, prisoners of war and Purple Heart recipients. The department partners with veteran service organizations, such as the Greenwell Foundation, and provides servicemen and women with unique opportunities to boat, fish, and hunt throughout the state.

More Information

Hire Our Veterans Tax Credit for Small Business Owners. This program provides a State income tax credit to small businesses for hiring qualified veterans based on wages paid to those veteran employees.  Read More Here

United States World War I Centennial Commission - The Ghost Fleet of Mallows Bay - A Story with a Maryland Connection

New Veterans Museum Opens at Perry Point on Veterans Day - Cecil Whig Article

Parking Garage Update for Baltimore VA Medical Center

Schedule Your Medical Appointments On-Line Through My HealtheVet

VA ID Cards Issuance Update - Military.com Article

 Reach Out to Veterans Who May Be In Crisis - Video by VA

United States Department of Veterans Affairs Provides Claims Information:

VA Claim Exam Process

VA On-Line Benefits Guide

The VA has lots of forms.  You may have wondered about the medical evaluation forms that doctors use, also known as a "DBQ".  List of Disability Benefits Questionaires

VA Short Summary of Benefits

For Your Information

The Maryland Department of Veterans Affairs does not endorse the organizations sponsoring these events, and we do not endorse the views they express or the products/services they offer.  The views and opinions expressed in any referenced document do not necessarily state or reflect those of MDVA.  The information provided is intended for your general knowledge only, and serves solely as a MDVA community outreach effort.

Recently some members of the Korean War Veterans Association, Inc. returned to Korea as part of the Revisit Korea Program.  

Read More Here, in an article written by Kyle G. Roberts, the son of a Korean War Veteran.  

Mr. Roberts is currently serving as the Assistant Treasurer of the Korean War Veterans Association, Inc.

Revisit Korea Program

Community Events:

November 30th:

District of Columbia Veterans Appreciation Employment Expo

December 6th:

Upper Shore Hiring Event in Cambridge

Community Notices

America Works Job Placement Services, Serving Veterans in MD, PA and DC