MDVA Blog: Perseverance and Caregiving

The newest Blog entry written by Dana Burl, Director of the MDVA Outreach Program has been posted on the MDVA website: Perseverance, Resilience, and Strength: What we can learn from caregivers during a health pandemic. The Nation and our great State of Maryland have faced innumerable challenges this year. Some among us are enduring sporadic unemployment or job loss, students are struggling to learn in a virtual environment, and to a large degree almost everyone has seen a disruption in normal routine. Despite the trials we have all faced in 2020, all around us there are signs of resilience, perseverance, and strength. Last weekend, I had the opportunity to visit Kingdom Celebration Center in Odenton for a Thanksgiving meal giveaway to service members, veterans and Gold Star Families in need. The outpouring of support truly made my holiday season. Many of the volunteers were veterans themselves and Gold Star Mothers. In just a few hours more than 75 turkeys and fresh produce was distributed. We truly are a nation that rises to the occasion to help a friend, a neighbor, or a veteran in need. I truly believe we are also a nation that refuses to hang up the hat and that will never give up the ship. Read More of the Blog Here

MDVA Website

The Maryland National Guard (MNG) donated a large amount of hand sanitizer to Charlotte Hall Veterans Home.

From left to right: Gordon Burke, MNG Transition Assistance Advisor (TAA), Otis Williams, Director of Maintenance at Charlotte Hall, MAJ Elise Dent, Branch Chief, MNG Soldier and Family Support Services, and Kristopher Brown, Charlotte Hall Assistant Administrator.

Thank you to everyone at the Maryland National Guard for this very generous donation.

As reported in the last edition of the MDVA newsletter, former Director Clarence Bacon was laid to rest in Crownsville Veterans Cemetery in a small, private ceremony.  Shown in this photo taken prior to the ceremony are: John Hill, American Legion Post 136 Chaplain, Commander Mike Moore, Post 136, MDVA Secretary George Owings and American Legion Past National Commander Dan Dellinger.

In Memorium: Former Maryland Veterans Commissioner, Raymond Glock

It is with sadness we report the passing of former Maryland Veterans Commissioner Raymond Glock.  Ray, a Korean War Veteran served on the Maryland Veterans Commission for many years and was a strong advocate for veterans.

Maryland Veterans Commission Vice Chair and KWVA Past Commander Leroy Thornton said this about Ray: "Raymond Glock was a dedicated member of the Korean War Veterans Association (KWVA) with over thirty years of service.  He was the Color Guard Captain for twenty-five years and never turned down the opportunity to march in a parade and display the flag.  He loved what he was doing and looked for opportunities to help people."

Obituary

Ray is shown here with Maryland's First Lady, Yumi Hogan.  The photo was taken July 15, 2019 at the Welcome Home Korean War Veterans event hosted by the First Lady.

Photo Credit: Executive Office of the Governor

December 7th is Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day and Governor Hogan has issued a Proclamation for Maryland:

Governor Larry Hogan honored local veterans and presented a citation to Valor Roofing in recognition of their “Raise a Roof for a Veteran” program. The governor was joined by Maryland Department of Veterans Affairs Secretary George Owings, Valor Roofing President and Vietnam Veteran Al Kincaid, and his son Adam Kincaid, as they celebrated the donation of a new roof to Vietnam Veteran George Welch.

Photo Credit: Executive Office of the Governor

"It's Cool, Keep Calm": Governor Hogan Talks to Maryland's Oldest Veteran, 109-Year Old Ezra Hill

There is much for Marylanders to be thankful for this year, including our veterans and their families. 

Earlier this month, just before Veterans Day, the governor’s office received a call from the daughter of Ezra Hill, a 109-year old World War II veteran from Baltimore. 

Mr. Hill, who is set to turn 110 next month, is the oldest living veteran in Maryland, and the second oldest in the United States. He graduated from Frederick Douglass High School in 1931, and joined the Army during World War II, landing at Normandy shortly after D-Day.

The governor had the opportunity to talk to Mr. Hill via Zoom:  Video

In their conversation, Mr. Hill shared some of the secrets of his longevity:

• “Don’t hate nobody.”
  
  
• “It’s cool, keep calm.”

Governor's Office of Small, Minority and Women Owned Business Affairs

In this environment of social distancing, today's seminars have become webinars, Zoom meetings, Facebook Live events, Google Meets, and more. If you have a smart phone or a computer, you have what you need to tap into these valuable training and information sessions. Capacity can fill quickly, so sign up early when required to do so.

12/08/2020 - MBE Rights and Responsibilities
12/08/2020 - Expanding Your Customer Base Through the Power of Community
12/09/2020 - Strategies for Teaming, Partnering, and Subcontracting
12/15/2020 - Alternative Financing 2021:  A New Look at Access to Capital 
12/16/2020 - Proposal Adequacy & Provisional Billing Rates
12/17/2020 - Federal Government Contract Compliance

Check out our full listing of small business events
online at goMDsmallbiz.maryland.gov.

Maryland Department of Natural Resources: Looking for something different for holiday giving?

Season's greetings! This holiday season, consider sharing the gift of the great outdoors with family and friends. Visit our online store to find exclusive Maryland DNR products. Click here to shop.

Federal News

Digital Technology Helps Blind Veteran Experience World

For Community Providers: Funding Available Under Supportive Services for Veteran Families Program (SSVF)

VA: COVID-19 Vaccine

VA's Women Veterans Quick Start Guide Now Available

VA: Tips for surviving the winter cold

Live Whole Health #47: Name That Emotion to Manage Stress

VA Virtual Events

Dec. 4 - Navigating Veterans Benefits with VA
Dec. 7 - Virtual Coffee House - Veteran Business Chat
Dec. 8 - Fundamentals of Business Ownership webinar
Dec. 9 - Patient and Families as Safety Champions and Change Leaders

Need to contact the United States VA?

Veterans Crisis Line: 1-800-273-8255 and press 1, Chat, or Text 838255
Homeless Veteran Resources: 1-877-424-3838 or Chat
White House VA Hotline: 1-855-948-2311

Don't know what number to call?

1-800-MyVA411 (800-698-2411) is never the wrong number

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

The Maryland Veterans Museum at Patriot Park has speakers scheduled for the monthly meetings starting in January.  These could be a mix of online and in-person or strictly online.  We’ll make that call based on common sense and the state of the pandemic.

You can sign up to get updates from the museum at https://www.mdvets.cc/sign-up-for.  We will also be publishing updates on our facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/MarylandVetsMuseum.

January 13^th     Speaker: Capt. Kevin Aanestad, USN, Ret.  Topic: The Air War in the Middle East

February 10^th   Speaker: Jennifer Hunt   Topic: Purple Heart Women and Global Terrorism

March 10^th:       Speaker: Tina Wilson       Topic: Women's Military Month

If you have any questions, please email us at maylandveteransmuseum@gmail.com 

Update on Veterans Moving Forward - Check out website  and facebook for more information

Video

Veteran with Service Dog trained by Veterans Moving Forward

The Saratoga WarHorse program takes place during 3-day classes, offered several times each month. The average class size is 5 participants. The program is available to veterans and active duty service members from all branches of the military, regardless of when or for how long they served. The focus of this program is on helping participants get past the physiological symptoms of their Post-Traumatic Stress, or other trauma related issues. Saratoga WarHorse doesn’t provide traditional “therapy,” but does offer an undoubtedly therapeutic experience. There is NO cost for veterans to attend the Saratoga WarHorse program. We pay 100% of  lodging, meal, and program expenses.

We have several more classes scheduled this calendar year here at the Baltimore County Agricultural Center, 1114 Shawan Rd. Cockeysville, MD 21030.

December – 3,4,5 / 10,11,12 / 18,19,20

Classes will resume in February 2021 (dates TBD)

Those interested in attending a class may contact our local Outreach Manger, Jason Marshall jason@saratogawarhorse.org 518-531-3219

Women Veterans United Committee, Inc. Directors participated in the Saratoga WarHorse Equine Therapy on November 19 - 21, 2020.  In attendance were: Dr. JoAnn Fisher, CEO; Tiffany Daniel, Director, Health & Wellness & Chair of the Board of Directors; Brenda Jamison, Director of Information & Communications; Phyllis Fisher, Director of the South; and Starlene Hamilton, Director of the West.  Also in attendance were:  Suzanne, our instructor and trainer; Jen & Ivan; support staff; Marc “Junk” Junkerman, continuously returning student and he played the horse to help train us; Steve Mooney, staff; and Jason W. Marshall, Outreach Coordinator. 

Community Calendar

November 16 - December 21, 2020

Maryland Department of Labor: Virtual Veterans Kiosk Every Monday

December 15, 2020

FDIC: Affordable Housing Opportunities for Veterans and Military Families During COVID-19

Message for New Subscribers:

Is this your first edition of the MDVA newsletter?  If so, welcome!  You are receiving this newsletter because you signed up to receive it from our website or you gave permission to an MDVA program, the MD Motor Vehicle Administration or MD Department of Labor to receive information on VA benefits and resources.  We at MDVA respect your privacy and DO NOT share email addresses.  We hope you enjoy receiving our bi-weekly newsletter and find it both educational and engaging.  If you have questions about our Department, our Programs, or your VA benefits, please visit veterans.maryland.gov or call 410-260-3838.