Governor Hogan Announces New Initiative to
Support Women Veterans
Proclaims June 12 as Women Veterans Day in Maryland
Governor Larry Hogan proclaimed June 12 as Women Veterans Day in Maryland and announced the establishment of the Women Veterans Inclusion Program to support women veterans. This year marks the 73rd anniversary of the Women's Armed Services Integration Act, signed into law by President Harry S. Truman on June 12, 1948.
“This new initiative will increase outreach and raise awareness of programs for women veterans as well as other underserved veterans in Maryland,” said Governor Hogan. “By extending outreach, we are ensuring more veterans have access to the resources and important benefits they deserve.”
Through the Maryland Department of Veterans Affairs, the new Women Veterans Inclusion Program will collaborate with the United States Department of Veterans Affairs, state and local governments, and community organizations to coordinate events to raise awareness of the needs of Maryland’s women, minority, and underserved veteran populations. A program manager will chair a statewide advisory council in order to identify resources to support and advocate on behalf of this group of veterans, and will participate in workgroups and serve as a subject matter expert regarding the needs of underserved veterans groups.
“The establishment of this important program will enable the department to assess for gaps, identify challenges, and find solutions,” said Maryland Department of Veterans Affairs Secretary George Owings. “We are excited to bring this program to Maryland and to recruit a full-time program manager to the department.”
Women Veterans Day in Maryland honors the resilience and courage shown by the 52,000 women who have served in the United States Armed Forces and call this state home.
If you are interested in more information/applying for the newly created position of Women Veterans/Inclusion Program Manager, use this link.
For more information on the Maryland Department of Veterans Affairs, visit:
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MDVA Staff Member is Honored by AMVETS
Maryland Department of Veterans Affairs Deputy Director Receives Department of Maryland AMVETS Free State Award of Excellence
Outreach and Advocacy Deputy Director Denise Nooe Honored For Her Service To Veterans
Maryland Department of Veterans Affairs (MDVA) Secretary George Owings congratulates Denise Nooe, Deputy Director of Outreach and Advocacy, for receiving the Department of Maryland American Veterans (AMVETS) 35th Annual Past National Commander A. Leo Anderson Memorial Free State Award of Excellence. She joins the ranks of other esteemed leaders who have received this award to include Maryland Governor Larry Hogan and retired U. S. Senator Barbara A. Mikulski.
“I could not be more proud of Denise for being the recipient of this year’s Free State Award of Excellence,” said George Owings, Secretary, Maryland Department of Veterans Affairs. “It is a sign of her commitment and dedication to public service and to the veteran community. I’m incredibly honored that following her retirement from federal service she has continued to serve with the Maryland Department of Veterans Affairs.”
“At its’ most recent annual convention on June 5, 2021 in Middletown, Maryland, the Department of Maryland AMVETS unanimously affirmed the selection of Ms. Denise Nooe as this year’s recipient of the Free State Award of Excellence,” said Andy Martel, Executive Director, Department of Maryland AMVETS. “Awarded in part for outstanding public service while serving the needs of the veteran population, Ms. Nooe’s 30 plus years of public service more than qualify her as the 2021 selectee.”
“It has been my honor to work with and on behalf of veterans for my entire career,” said Denise. “I am grateful to the AMVETS Department of Maryland for this recognition, and I thank the AMVETS membership for the work they do every day to assist veterans.”
Ms. Nooe joined the Department of Veterans Affairs as Deputy Director of Outreach and Advocacy in 2014. In addition to outreach to veterans, she serves on a number of boards and workgroups and staffs the Maryland Veterans Commission. She began a new career with the Department after retiring from 30 years in federal service. Ms. Nooe served as Director of U.S. Senator Mikulski’s Annapolis office for 27 years with a portfolio including veteran and military issues, the Department of Education, Department of Transportation and independent agencies. She also served as Senator Mikulski's liaison to the Maryland General Assembly and the Maryland Governor’s Office.
 Maryland Veterans Commissioner Stan Seidel and Denise Nooe, MDVA Deputy Director for Outreach & Advocacy visited Fields 4 Valor in Brandywine, on a very rainy afternoon, so this photo was taken inside the greenhouse. On the right, is Peter Scott, CEO and Founder of Fields 4 Valor. Pete is an Iraq veteran with a mission to serve veterans experiencing food insecurity. Antoinette LaForce, another OIF veteran not pictured here, is the Fields 4 Valor Production Manager.
In 2021, Pete hopes to almost double the veteran households provided with fresh vegetables and eggs by the 501(c)3 organization. More volunteers are needed to help with the increased production, including help with harvesting and other outside maintenance around the farm, drivers to deliver food to veterans and their families, someone to help the organization with social media/promotion and a CPA to help with an audit, so that Fields for Valor qualifies for more grant funding. To volunteer in any of these roles, please contact Rina at rina@fields4valor.org
Flier
Check out more photos of Fields for Valor in the Community News section below.
Photo credit: Jason Marshall, Program Manager of Serving Together
 MDVA Secretary George Owings attended the DAV State Convention and presents a Governor's Proclamation to outgoing DAV Auxiliary State Commander Teresa James. Also in this photo are from left to right: DVA National Adjutant Marc Burgess, outgoing DAV State Commander Charles Clark (standing) and DAV Auxiliary National Commander Diane Franz (seated, right).
Veterans of Foreign Wars State Commander Tom Rippon (not shown) chose Charlotte Hall as his Special Project for 2020-2021 VFW Year. In the picture from the left are: Mike Johnson, Special Project Chairman & Current Chief of Staff, Brian Sturgis, National Council Member, James Wade, 2021-2022 VFW State Commander, Maryland Veterans Commissioner Thomas V. Kimball Jr. and Sharon Murphy, Director of Charlotte Hall Veterans Home. The very generous donation will be used to purchase new furnishings for the residents.
 MDVA Secretary George Owings (top, left in blue), joined the American Legion Riders, Maryland Gold Star Legacy Run at the Gold Star Families Monument in Annapolis. The Gold Star Families Monument is adjacent to the World War II Memorial.
Photo Credit: Maryland Gold Star Legacy Ride/Jeff Thorne Photography
 A ribbon-cutting was held at the Carroll County Veterans Independence Project (CCVIP) this week. Shown in this photo are from left: SFC Michael Beard, Maryland Army National Guard 29th Military Police Company, Carroll County Sheriff Jim DeWees, CCVIP Executive Eirector Jason Sidock, MDVA Deputy Secretary Robert Finn and CCVIP Vice President Ed Cramer
Photo credit: Dylan Slagle/Carroll County Times
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