Charlotte Hall Veterans Home

As Thanksgiving and the Season of Giving approaches, we here at MDVA are often asked for suggestions on how to help veterans. In this link, you will find the Charlotte Hall Veterans Home Holiday Wish List.   If you scroll down to the Federal Partners Section, you will find information from the Maryland VA Health Care System on volunteering and donating to veterans using VA health care services.  Drivers are especially needed to help transport veterans to and from scheduled clinic appointments. To all Maryland Veterans, Caregivers and Supporters, we wish you a very Happy Thanksgiving.

2019 Veterans Home Holiday Wish List

Visit the Charlotte Hall Holiday Bazaar 

Veterans Day 2019

MDVA Staff and Commissioners attended many Veterans Day events around the state to recognize and thank Maryland Veterans.  Below are a few photos.  Please scroll to the end of the MDVA e-newsletter for more photos.

At Chick and Ruth's Delly in Annapolis, the Pledge of Allegiance is recited every day by patrons and staff at 8:30 am on weekdays and at 9:30 am on weekends.  MDVA Deputy Secretary Robert Finn visited the Delly and presented the Governor's Veterans Day Proclamation.  Accepting the Proclamation is Shelly McFadyen, Manager.

MDVA Secretary George Owings (standing, far right) attended a Salute to Vietnam Veterans at the Dewey Lowman American Legion Post 109 in Halethorpe.  All the Veterans standing were presented with the Vietnam Veteran Lapel Pin.  Seated from left to right are: Mr. Bill Tabeling, a D-Day Veteran who was in the first wave to land at Normandy, Mr. Larry McElroy, who was held as a POW for thirteen months at Phu Kawi, Vietnam and Dewey Lowman Post Commander, Clyde Thomas.

Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter 648 Honor Guard Presents the Colors for the Dorchester County Historical Society, "Welcome Home Vietnam Veterans" on November 11, 2019.

Photo Credit: Maryland Veterans Commissioner Robert Hanson

Governor Larry Hogan addresses the Veterans Day audience at the World War II Memorial in Annapolis.

Photo Credit: Executive Office of the Governor   More Photos

The John S. Ayton State Tree Nursery is now open.

and accepting orders for the spring 2020 planting season.

You can view our products and place orders by clicking here: http://nursery.dnr.maryland.gov/You can also sign up at any time to be added to our email list.

At least 75 percent of Maryland’s forest land is owned by private woodland owners. Forest land is one of our greatest natural resources and if taken care of, can offer long term benefits for everyone. With these thoughts in mind we offer again this year many seedlings to assist landowners in their afforestation or reforestation projects. We hope that within these pages you will find the right options for your land and your objectives for that land.

"Your prices and quality of seedlings is outstanding and your customer service is so good it is hard to believe you are a government agency."

Seed Collection

Contact:  Richard Garrett, Ayton Nursery Manager at 410-673-2467

DNR Outdoor Store

VA Maryland Health Care System Seeking Volunteers to Assist Veteran Patients

BALTIMORE – The Veterans Affairs (VA) Maryland Health Care System is currently seeking community members who are interested in supporting the needs of our nation’s veterans by serving as volunteers at the Baltimore, Loch Raven and Perry Point VA Medical Centers, or the Cambridge, Eastern Baltimore County, Glen Burnie, Fort Meade or Pocomoke City VA Outpatient Clinics.   

“Volunteers are a vital part of our team because they provide invaluable support throughout our health care system, and they remind our veteran patients that their service in the armed forces as not been forgotten,” says Dr. Adam M. Robinson, Jr., director of the VA Maryland Health Care System.  “As a volunteer, you can serve those who served, explore a care field in a health care environment, obtain new job skills, earn community service hours, and make a difference by giving back to others.”   

The VA Maryland Health Care System has a number of meaningful and rewarding volunteer assignments available throughout the health care system, including the Coffee Cart, Escort Service, Greeter Program, Home Visitation, Office Administration, Patient Visitation, Veteran Transportation, and many more.  To get started as a VA volunteer, call 410-605-7100 or visit www.maryland.va.gov and click on “Volunteer or Donate” on the left side of the landing page. 

Ribbon Cutting at New VA Community Based Outpatient Clinic in Southern Maryland - Lexington Park

On November 15, 2019, Washington DC Veterans Affairs Medical Center leaders and staff were joined by Veterans, Maryland Senators, community officials and the Naval Air Station Patuxent River, commanding officer to cut the ceremonial ribbon for the new VA Community-Based Outpatient Clinic (CBOC) in Lexington Park, Maryland.

The clinic will officially open to care for Veterans on December 2, 2019.

Read More Here

Holiday Concerts

The U. S. Army Band "Pershing's Own" Army Field Band "The Presidents Own" United States Marine Band

DOD Announces COLA for 2020

Hearing Loss Association of America - Veterans Across America Virtual Chapter

Veterans May Shop PX online

Starting January 1, 2020 Commissary, PX and MWR Access is Extended to More Veterans

The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) Offers Tips on Investing

VA Releases Survivors Quick Start Guide

Attention Caregivers!

Celebrate National Family Caregivers Month

VA Caregiver Support

Mark your calendars and join the Caregiver Support Line during the month of November for Monday Meditations!

Join by Phone: On the date and time of the meditation, call 1-800-767-1750.  When prompted, enter the monthly access code 00149. Use this code for all Monday Meditations. Meditations are approximately 15 minutes long.

Monday 11/25/19 - access code 00149

12pm EST     Relaxation Meditation:

A Soothing Visualization at the Beach

7pm EST       Mindfulness Meditation:

Finding Calm and Acceptance in the Present Moment

Can’t attend the live meditations? Listen to recordings of these relaxation exercises at https://www.caregiver.va.gov/support-line/presentations.asp.

MDVA Secretary George Owings attended the ceremony to renew the Ft. Meade Community Covenant.  MDVA is one of the Supporting Partners of the Community Covenant.  Also shown in this photo are: Ft. Meade Garrison CSM Michael Behnkendorf and COL Edward C. Rothstein, USA (Ret).  Colonel Rothstein is a former Ft. Meade Garrison Commander and is currently the Vice President of the Carroll County Board of Commissioners.

Ft. Meade Community Covenant

Photo Credit: Ft. Meade Public Affairs

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.

Community News

Save the Date: Monday, December 16, 2019 - SALUTE Program at Frostburg State University.  Scheduled from 5:00 pm to 8:00 pm at the Lane University Center Atkinson Room.  SALUTE is the Veterans National Honor Society.

Save the Date: January 16, 2020  100th Anniversary of VFW Post 327, Lansdowne

Maryland Pro Bono Resource Center - Legal Assistance for Veterans

Project Opportunity Announces Spring 2020 Training in Howard County - More Information

Travis Manion Foundation - Register as a Virtual Volunteer

Calling Maryland, DC and Virginia Active Duty, Veteran Women AND Wives.

Join  us for a day of community practice around empowerment, personal growth, emotional balance and freedom.

Thanks to a private foundation grant this workshop is for YOU.

Facilitated by Erin K. Bishop, A Breath of Wellness, and Ashira Lavine with Mind Body Fusion

 When: Saturday, November 23rd

Where: The Journey Space, Glen Echo, MD

Time; 10am - 6pm

Lunch provided by Great Sage

Cost: $0 - $25 (use code SCHOLARSHIP for no cost ticket)

For more info and to register visit

www. empowerment_through_breath.eventbrite.com

Cisco Offers CyberSecurity Scholarships to Veterans & Military Spouses - Maryland

According to a July 2018 Cisco Talent Trends report, Maryland has over 26,000 open IT jobs (30% in cybersecurity). 

To help address the growing demand as well as tap into the valued talent coming from our military community, Cisco is offering a cyber learning track, including scholarships and access to employment opportunities, to veterans, military spouses, as well as Reserve and National Guard members.  This pathway leads to industry-relevant training and certification.   

Please feel free to share the following information with your military network:

For those interested in exploring a career in cybersecurity, sign up for free training through Cisco VetPrep: netacad.com/careers/talent-bridge-program/veterans

For those looking to obtain a Cisco CCNA CyberOps certification, sign up for a free Cisco CyberVets Scholarship:  https://custom.cvent.com/AF065572DBE74847B67B891094106946/files/f8bde1fdac63450baeaf6d1e4d1bd404.pdf

Questions? cybervet@cisco.com

Introduction to Hero Dogs
Date & Time: December 14th, 1:00 - 3:00 PM
Location: Brookeville, MD

Register

Summary
This presentation is for anyone who is interested in learning more about Hero Dogs, whether as a potential applicant, volunteer, donor, or other supporter.

Description
Would you like to learn more about Hero Dogs? Are you interested in volunteering*? Are you a veteran or first responder who may be interested in applying to receive a service dog?

The first hour of the presentation will include:

Mission and background of Hero Dogs,
Overview of Hero Dogs programs,
Live demonstration of service dog skills, and
Outline of volunteer opportunities
Then we will break for a tour of the facility. Those interested in applying for a service dog, their family members and other advocates, and anyone interested in learning more about partnering with a service dog should plan to stay for the second half of the presentation which will include:

The Hero Dogs application process
Team training
Living with a service dog
Q & A
*All Hero Dogs volunteers and potential volunteers should attend this session at least once. This is also a great event for youth groups to attend to learn about service dogs.

Please note: directions to the facility will be e-mailed on the Friday before the event to those who have registered.

Community Calendar

December 5, 2019

JobZone Job Fair, Joint Base Andrews

Southern Maryland Veterans Collaborative, Charlotte Hall

December 10, 2019

Ready, Set, Grow Procurement Connections Workshop for Small Businesses, Baltimore

December 11, 2019

2019 Veteran's Legislative Summit, Annapolis

Photos From Around the State

Commissioner Stan Seidel spoke to students of Kreiger Schechter Day School in Baltimore about the meaning of Veterans Day and presented the Governor's Veterans Day Proclamation.  Also shown in the photo is Cynthia Cavalieri, Executive Director of the Federal Executive Board.

Commissioner Stan Seidel also presented the Governor's Veterans Day Proclamation at the Maryland Center for Veterans Employment and Training (MCVET)

Several of Maryland’s Veterans Advocates recently joined United States Veterans Affairs Secretary Robert Wilkie for a headliner luncheon at the National Press Club. Pictured, left to right, are Patrick Guibao, VA Secretary Robert Wilkie, Brian Smith, and Sheldon Goldberg.

Denise Nooe, MDVA Deputy Director of Outreach and Advocacy presents the Governor's Veterans Day Proclamation to Mr. William Landau, who is the Quartermaster of the Jewish War Veterans Post 692.  The ceremony was held at the Jewish Community Center in Rockville.

MDVA attended the Veteran's Day Commemoration at the Myerberg Center in Baltimore on Veteran's Day.  Two canine Ambassadors from Hero Dogs also attended.