Each year, Crusin' Southern Maryland holds a major fund-raiser to benefit Charlotte Hall Veterans Home. The event will be held tomorrow, on Saturday, May 25, 2019.

Founded in 2012, Cruisin’ Southern Maryland is a non-profit organization made up of local automotive enthusiasts from the Southern Maryland area. Every year on Memorial Weekend Cruisin’ SOMD hosts a 100+ Mile Car Cruise & Car Show throughout Southern Maryland and ending at the Charlotte Hall Veterans Home. In an effort to raise money for local veteran’s projects at the Charlotte Hall Veterans Home as well as other local charities having raised over $120,000+ in it’s 8-year history.

Cruisin’ SOMD is a volunteer organization made up of individuals from local car clubs and different backgrounds that come together throughout the year to plan, raise money for veterans and run the Cruisin’ SOMD for Veterans Memorial Weekend Event. Throughout the year monthly meetings are hosted to discuss planning of the cruise and other local events. It is truly a team of passionate car owners in an effort to enrich the lives of our veterans through a fun event for our community. Flier

Mr. Leonard Kirk, who serves as a Commissioner on the Maryland Veterans Commission, was recently featured in an article in the Carroll County Times. Commissioner Kirk represents the American Ex-POW's on the Commission and we invite you to check out the Carroll County Times article:

https://www.carrollcountytimes.com/news/local/cc-leonard-kirk-memorial-day-20190522-story.html

Photo Freemasons of Maryland Donation to Charlotte Hall Veterans Home

Armed Forces week was kicked off at Charlotte Hall Veterans Home with a generous donation from the Freemasons of Maryland. The donations included an 8-seater golf cart which will be used to take residents on outings around the campus of Charlotte Hall. This in turn freed up a four-seater golf cart which was transferred to Crownsville Veterans Cemetery, which will be used to transport family members who are unable to walk to the grave sites unassisted. In addition, the Freemasons of Maryland also provided a monetary donation which will be used for new wheelchairs and new rehab equipment at Charlotte Hall and a monetary donation to Crownsville Veterans Cemetery. MDVA sends sincere thanks to the members of the Freemasons of Maryland.

In this photo from left to right are:

MDVA Secretary George W. Owings, III, Arthur F. Hebbeler, III, Terry L. Royce, Sr., John S. English, Karen E. Calvert, who also serves as a Commissioner on the Maryland Veterans Commission, Richard P. Naegele, and Sharon Murphy, Director of Charlotte Hall Veterans Home.

MDVA Deputy Secretary Robert Finn presented a Governor's Proclamation at the Inaugural Mission of Honor Flight Maryland and Delaware. Also in the photo are Ms. Chelsea Taylor and Mr. Xaver Gramkow. If you are interested in more information on Honor Flight Maryland and Delware read more here

MDVA Secretary George Owings recently attended the Annual Convention of the Marine Corps League, Department of Maryland. Shown in this photo, from left to right are: Mr. Craig Reeling, Adjutant, Marine Corps League, Department of Maryland, Secretary Owings, Mr. Butch Kolich and Mrs. Mary Lee Kolich.

State Partner News

Pictured above is TSGT Steven Melnikoff, who was a member of Co C, 1-175th Infantry (Fifth Maryland) and landed on Normandy on June 7th. He is 99 years old (100 later this year) and next week will be travelling to France.

He was awarded the Order of Saint Maurice by Colonel William Everett (Ret), Honorary Colonel of the 175th Infantry Regiment at the annual dinner held on May 16th at the Dundalk Armory. The theme this year was, "Honoring the 75th Anniversary of the Normandy Invasion".

The Order of Saint Maurice was established in 1996 and is awarded by the National Infantry Association and the certificate is signed by the Chief of Infantry of the United States Army. It is named after Saint Maurice, the leader of the Roman Theban Legion in the 3rd century. The award recognizes the significant contributions made by Infantrymen, Infantry supporters, and spouses.

Maryland Commerce launches database of military and federal STEM programs

The Maryland Department of Commerce has announced the launch of STEMConnect, an interactive database of educational, internship, and apprenticeship opportunities in federal agencies and military installations throughout Maryland. The database, which was created by Maryland Commerce’s Office of Military and Federal Affairs, is designed to promote and provide information on the numerous STEM-related opportunities to students, parents and educators.

“Federal agencies and military commands throughout our state offer outstanding opportunities for children of all ages to explore jobs and career paths in science, technology, engineering, and math – careers that are critical to our nation, our state and our economy,” said Maryland Commerce Secretary Kelly Schulz. “Whether a student is curious about aerospace, engineering, environmental science, or cybersecurity, STEM Connect can spark interest in these areas, open doors to learning experiences, and set a path toward a successful career.”

The database includes information on programs ranging from summer camps to robotics challenges for students of all ages, from pre-K to college and university. STEM Connect is searchable by education level, type of program, key words, military or federal agency, and location. Approximately 100 educational, internship, and apprenticeship opportunities at nearly 20 federal agencies or military commands are currently listed, and STEM Connect will be updated on a regular basis.

Maryland is home to 60 federal civilian agencies, including the National Security Agency, the National Institute of Standards and Technology, and NASA Goddard Space Flight Center. Twenty major military installations including Aberdeen Proving Ground, Fort George G. Meade, Joint Base Andrews, and Naval Air Station Patuxent River are also located in the state.

For additional information or to explore available programs, visit STEMConnect.

Federal Partner News

Photo Credit: ABC News

300 Vet Centers across the country, free and strictly confidential - Find a Vet Center near you

Vet Centers are community-based (and a 24/7 call center) counseling centers that provide a wide range of social and psychological services, including professional readjustment counseling to eligible Veterans, active duty service members, including National Guard and Reserve components, and their families. Discuss on RallyPoint

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Baltimore National Cemetery Complex (Includes Annapolis National Cemetery) Provides Memorial Day Observance Information

Community Partner News

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.

Glen Burnie Improvement Association Ceremony

MDVA Deputy Secretary Robert Finn served as the Keynote Speaker for the 2019 Memorial Day Remembrance Ceremony in Glen Burnie. Also in the photo are Barbara Moeller, President of the Glen Burnie Improvement Association, and in the background is Mr. Frank Hein, who served as Master of Ceremony.

Community News

Community Memorial Day Events

Buglers Volunteer to Play Taps at Veteran Funerals, Cecil Whig Article

June 6, 2019 - 75th Anniversary of D-Day will be observed at the War Memorial Building, 101 North Gay Street in Baltimore. Observance will be held from Noon until 2:00 pm. For more information contact First Sgt. Chester Wilton (Retired) at 717-814-2634 or cwilto@comcast.net

Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum is Offering Free Admission to the Military Services

*Active-duty military members receive year-round, free general admission. As a Blue Star Museum, CBMM provides free general admission to active-duty military, National Guard, and Reserve personnel and their spouse/partner and up to three children from Armed Forces Day (May 18) through Labor Day (Sept. 2). All prices are subject to change.

Operation Tohidu is now enrolling for fall retreats: Learn More Here

Save the Date: The Mission Continues Mass Deployment 2019 Prep Days & Project Days