Memorial Day Message from Secretary George Owings

As Secretary of the Maryland Department of Veterans Affairs, I am honored to serve the 385,000 veterans who call Maryland home.  As a veteran myself, Memorial Day resonates deeply with me.  As we gather with friends and family this holiday weekend, let us not forget the men and women who valiantly served and who paid the ultimate sacrifice in defense of our great nation.  Let us remember the sacrifice made by the many who have lost those dearest, our Gold Star families.  The sacrifice these heroes and families made has created the great nation we live in today. 

Many of us are familiar with the story of how Memorial Day was established.  Our country was nearly torn apart by the Civil War, but after the guns were laid down, people in cities and towns across the nation began to gather and remember those who had died.  Originally called Decoration Day, May 30 was designated as the day to visit and place flowers on the graves of those who died in service to their country.

In Annapolis this Memorial Day weekend, the United States Naval Academy will graduate the Midshipmen of the Class of 2021.  The Air Force Academy, West Point, and Coast Guard Academy have also graduated the next generation of military leaders.  They will go on to be Admirals, Generals, pilots, ship captains and more.  Others will join the enlisted ranks and provide support and leadership across the globe.  They will serve in an increasingly complicated and technologically advanced world.  They are the hope for our future and yes, those responsibilities may place them in harm’s way.

On this holiday weekend, I ask you to contemplate what more you can do to honor and support the members of our United States Armed Services.  I ask you to support our nation’s veterans, and Maryland veterans in particular.  They are your neighbors, your friends, and your relatives.  Take time to learn of their experiences and pause to consider the sacrifice made by their spouses, their children, and their parents.  Thank them all for their service as active duty service members, veterans, family members and loved ones. 

Finally, take a pledge this weekend to visit at least one of the four Maryland Department of Veterans Affairs memorials.  Recite the names of Marylanders lost in World War II, Korea and Vietnam.  Pause at the Gold Star Memorial and reflect on the sacrifice made by the families of the fallen.  And finally, on behalf of our entire Department, enjoy a safe and relaxing holiday weekend.

For more information on the locations of the Memorials: MDVA Cemetery and Memorial Program

Memorial Day Observances at MDVA Locations

Ceremonies will be held at the following MDVA locations: Eastern Shore Veterans Cemetery: Sunday, May 30, 2012 at 1:30pm Crownsville Veterans Cemetery Monday, May 31, 2021 at 11:00 am Garrison Forest Veterans Cemetery Monday, May 31, 2021 at 11:00 am More Information Including Cemetery Address MDVA Cemetery & Memorials Program

MDVA Website

Members of the Calvert Marine Museum (CMM), who partnered with American Legion Post 274 from Lusby have been donating snacks monthly throughout the pandemic for the residents of Charlotte Hall Veterans Home. Shown from left to right are: Melissa McCormick, Group and Visitor Services Coordinator for CMM, Sharon Murphy, Director of Charlotte Hall Veterans Home, Sherry Reid, Volunteer and Events Coordinator for CMM, Rodney Jones, Deputy Director of Charlotte Hall, and Jaymi Sterling, Board of Directors for CMM.  

Thank you to all the members of the Calvert Marine Museum and American Legion Post 274 for your ongoing donations to the residents of Charlotte Hall Veterans Home.

Maryland Veterans Commissioner Thomas Kimball (center) and other members of the Veterans of Foreign Wars as well as the VFW Auxiliary donated over $15,000 to Baltimore Station which serves homeless veterans.  They also donated clothing for the residents of Baltimore Station.  

Commissioner Kimball also reports that his home Post, VFW Meuse Post #194 presented a donation of $3,000 to fund three $1,000 scholarships at Wor-Wic Community College.  The VFW Post in Salisbury provides financial assistance to three honorably discharged combat veterans each year from Worcester, Wicomico or Somerset County who attend Wor-Wic Community College and have completed at least 12 credit hours at Wor-Wic.

From left, Caleb Foltz, Junior Vice Commander of the VFW Meuse Post No. 194 and Auxiliary, Jack Lewis, former Department Commander, and Danny Stinson, Commander, present a $3,000 check to Fred Howard, Director of Veterans Services at Wor-Wic Community College.

Photo and text credit: Wor-Wic Community College

From left to right: Doreen Reger, Tim Reger, MDVA Deputy Secretary Robert Finn and Raymond Buzzard.  Deputy Secretary Finn met with members of the Experimental Aircraft Association Chapter 524 at Frederick Municipal Airport.  Frederick News-Post Article

Article and Photo Credit: Frederick News Post and Mary Ann Alvarado

Governor Hogan visited the Western Correctional Institution (WCI) to highlight the America's VetDogs program, where inmates raise and train service dogs for veterans. WCI is home to one of the America’s VetDogs Prison Puppy Programs, which provides veterans, first responders with disabilities, and active duty service members with service dogs trained by inmates.

Photo and text credit: Executive Office of the Governor

MDVA Secretary Owings and Secretary Robert Green (Department of Public Safety & Correctional Services) both standing, join Governor Hogan as he visits the Western Correctional Institution Prison Puppy Program.

University of Maryland Study Seeking Veterans:

Have you experienced a traumatic event in your life? Do thoughts about this experience affect you now? Do you use alcohol to get relief? We are conducting a research study of a medication that may help people who have experienced a traumatic event feel better and drink less. Traumatic events are things like physical or sexual assault, war zone exposure, serious accidents, and natural disasters. To learn more, go to: http://www.rethinkyourdrinking.org/, email us at rethinkyourdrinking@som.umaryland.edu, or contact us by phone (410) 402-6412.

Chesapeake Bay Trust Manages Healing Hunting and Fishing Fund

The Chesapeake Bay Trust, makes grants to engage various audiences with the outdoors. We have just started managing the Healing Hunting and Fishing Fund, and are specifically seeking projects that engage veterans in the outdoors for rehabilitation/health reasons, recreation, and/or workforce development/green jobs. Workshop Registration

Maryland State House Reopens to Public Today

At a bill signing ceremony Wednesday, Governor Larry Hogan, Senate President Bill Ferguson, and House Speaker Adrienne A. Jones announced that the Maryland State House will reopen to the public on Friday, May 21.

The leaders issued a joint statement:

“We are pleased to announce that the Maryland State House will reopen to the public this Friday. Health screening protocols will be in place for visitors, and information on how to get vaccinated will be available.

“The State House is one of the great and enduring symbols of our democracy. Throughout the crises of the last year, the work that goes on inside the building has continued, and the fundamental values of freedom and equality that it honors have become even more important to preserve.

“We look forward to welcoming Marylanders and visitors back to our iconic State House.”

Beginning on Friday, May 21, the State House will be open to visitors daily from 9 a.m. to 5  p.m. All other state office buildings are open to the public by appointment through the individual government agency or department.

All COVID-19 protocols, including screening questions and thermal scanning, will remain in place for all visitors entering the State House. Tours and groups of visitors may not exceed 25 individuals per group, not including the tour guide. Additionally, visitors to state owned and leased buildings will not be required to wear masks. Unvaccinated visitors are encouraged to continue to wear masks in state owned and leased buildings.

The Maryland State House is the oldest state capitol in continuous legislative use, and is the only state house ever to serve as the nation’s capitol. More information for visitors is available here.

$2 Million VaxCash Promotion

The VA Maryland Health Care System has added a series of walk-in COVID-19 vaccination clinics. Enrolled Veterans, their caregivers and spouses, and those authorized under the SAVE LIVES Act can walk-in to receive a vaccination at the following locations, dates and times: Baltimore VA Medical Center, 10 N. Greene St., Baltimore, MD 21201 May 24-28; Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine (9 a.m. to 11:20 a.m.) Perry Point VA Medical Center Gymnasium, Building 314, Perry Point, MD 21902 May 24-28; Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine (9 a.m. to 11:20 a.m.) Cambridge VA Outpatient Clinic, 830 Chesapeake Drive, Cambridge, MD 21613 May 24-28; Moderna vaccine (9 a.m. to 11:20 a.m.) Glen Burnie VA Outpatient Clinic, 808 Landmark Drive, Suite 128, Glen Burnie, MD 21061 May 24-28; Johnson & Johnson (Janssen) vaccine (9 a.m. to 11:20 a.m.) Have you received the vaccine outside of VA? Veterans who received the COVID vaccine outside of the VA Maryland Health Care System and want to have their vaccine reflected in their VA medical record need to provide evidence of vaccination, such as a completed CDC Vaccination Record card. Veterans can provide this information to their VA primary care team via secure messaging on My HealtheVet, during a virtual visit or in person if they already have a scheduled appointment. Thank you. VA Maryland Health Care System

Service Academy Nominations Information

Senator Van Hollen’s office is now accepting applications from students in Maryland for nominations to one of the Uniformed Service Academies for the class of 2026.

All applications and supporting materials must be received electronically by 5:00 p.m. on September 30, 2021. More information, including the online application, can be found here.

Senator Van Hollen welcomes applications from all interested candidates and strongly encourages applications from those with backgrounds and identities that are underrepresented among officers in the Armed Services. Qualified applicants will interview with Senator Van Hollen’s Service Academy Advisory Board in November. Interviews will be held virtually.

Federal News

VA Maryland Health Care System: Veteran Artists Invited to Share Their Talents

VA Maryland Health Care System: Participate in research studies and clinical trials

Washington DC VA Medical Center: Veterans Creative Arts Festival

Washington DC VA Medical Center: Expanding Women's Health

Veterans: Say Yes to the Hepatitis C Test

VA Launches Veteran Rapid Retraining Assistance Program (VRRAP)

VA Geriatrics and Extended Care

Expanding Comprehensive Assistance for Family Caregivers

Nine Ways Veterans are Using Telehealth Now

Make the connection.net

World War I Memorial

May is National Nutrition Month

Want to Join VA's Digital Media Virtual Volunteer Program?

Find Your Next Job with help from an American Corporate Partners Mentor

Career Success after service with Heroes Linked

Honoring Vets: Carry the Load Partners with VA's National Cemeteries

Live Whole Health # 71: Managing Lower Back Pain with Acupressure

Live Whole Health #72: Managing Headaches with Acupressure

National Memorial Day Concert to Return in Virtual Format

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

Mindful Resilience: Eight Week Program Beginning June 15th

The Mission Continues: Women Veterans Leadership Program

This Memorial Day weekend the Women Veterans United Committee, Inc. is hosting four Memorial Services. Go to:https://www.eventbrite.com/e/memorial-day-celebrations-tickets-151575226583 to register, for more information, and to attend virtually each day.

1.Thursday, May 27, 2021, 11:00 am, The Town of Indian Head, inside Pavilion Green at Indian Head located in Charles County at the end of Route 210 (Indian Head HWY) just outside the gate of the Naval Support Facility Indian Head, MD 20640.

2. Saturday, May 29, 2021, 11:00 am – 2:00 pm, Chesapeake House Travel Center I-95 John F. Kennedy Memorial, Hwy, Mile Marker 96, North East, MD  21901

3. Sunday, May 30, 2021, 3:00 pm, the Vietnam Wall & Women’s Memorial, 5 Henry Bacon Drive, NW, Washington, D.C. 20245

4. Monday, May 31, 2021, 10:30 am, Memorial Day Service at The Town of Bowie Veterans Park, 12700 9th Street, Bowie, MD 20720.  WVUCI will place 2 wreaths and ask other Women Veterans to participate.  Reception immediately following at DAV Omaha Beach Chapter #7, 8205 Laurel Bowie Road, Bowie, MD  20715.  FREE

Women Veterans United Committee, Inc. (WVUCI) is proud to introduce our 2021 Michael “Maddog” Sater Flame of Hope Contest to honor the service and sacrifice of female veterans who have served faithfully in our military service.  The Contest is opened to Pre-K – 8^th graders.  More Information

Important Dates: 

Beginning Date:  Saturday, May 1, 2021

All entries are to be submitted by:  Friday, August 27, 2021 Midnight

Judging will be held: Saturday, September 25, 2021

Winners will be announced Monday, September 27, 2021

Program will be held Saturday, October 16, 2021 by Zoom

Community Calendar

May 22, 2021

Virtual Puppy Yoga for Mental Health

May 23, 2021

Introduction to Hero Dogs

May 25, 2021

Free Women Veterans Legal Clinic

May 26, 2021

Maryland's Commitment to Veterans: 2021 Veterans Behavioral Health and Suicide Prevention Virtual Conference

May 27, 2021

The Art of Wellness: Veterans

May 29, 2021

Remembering Our Women Veterans, Memorial Day Wreath Laying, Cecil County, Sponsored by Women Veterans United Committee, Inc.

May 30, 2021

City of Gaithersburg Memorial Day Observance

May 31, 2021

City of Rockville Virtual Memorial Day Ceremony

June 3, 2021

Burn Pit Exposure: Acknowledging the Gap - the lack of data on health effects in Women Veterans

2021 Veterans Legal Assistance Conference & Training - Virtual (Also June 4th)

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 your email address.  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.