Maryland Veterans Commissioner Erwin Burtnick (center), who is the State Commander of the Jewish War Veterans presented a donation of $5,000 to the Maryland Veterans Trust Fund.  The donation was presented to the Maryland Veterans Trust Fund from the Estate of Jesse J. Hinson, Jr., by Commissioner Burtnick, who is the personal representative of the estate. On the left is Mark Hendricks, Trust Fund Administrator and MDVA Secretary Owings is on the right.

Maryland Veterans Commissioner Rick Lane presents MDVA Secretary George Owings with a coin at the July Maryland Veterans Commission meeting.

Commissioner Lane recently helped a WWII veteran's widow locate a copy of her husband's Discharge Certificate. Obtaining the copy of the Discharge Certificate took months and a lot of work to accomplish.  Please read Commissioner Lane's story on the importance of safeguarding a copy of your DD-214.  Read More Here

Commissioner Lane also helped with arranging a roof replacement for a veteran at no cost by Valor Roofing.  See the completed roof photos below in the Community News section.

Ms. Nikki Randolph (left), representing American Legion Post 278 in Kent Island presents a check for $5,000 to Lisa Donor, the Charlotte Hall Veterans Home Veterans Service Officer. On the right is American Legion Department of Maryland Commander Philip R. Dorsey.

The donation will go to the Charlotte Hall Veterans Assistance Fund, which is used for final honors, dental care, eye glasses and other personal needs for the residents.

MDVA staff visited the Puller Veterans Care Center in Warrenton, Virginia.  The purpose of the trip was to see another State Veterans Home under construction. The visit provided the opportunity to ask questions and learn best practices, as planning begins for a second Maryland Veterans Home.

Attending from Maryland: 

MDVA Secretary George W. Owings III, BG Warner I. Sumpter, USA (Ret.), Chairman, Maryland Veterans Home Commission, MDVA Deputy Secretary Robert Finn, Sharon Murphy, Director, Charlotte Hall Veterans Home, Rodney Jones, Deputy Director, Charlotte Hall Veterans Home, Michelle Cariaso, Quality Assurance Nurse Manager, Charlotte Hall Veterans  Home, John Brush, P.E., Capital Projects Manager, Maryland Department of General Services, Beverly Brandon, Brandon Senior Living & Design, Principal Architect.

While we work hard at MDVA, there is some time for play - MDVA Deputy Secretary Robert Finn shows off his trophy for the Longest Senior Drive 2021.  The Deputy Secretary participated in the Maryland Artillery Regimental Golf Tournament, commemorating the 77th Anniversary of the Normandy Campaign.

MDVA Website

Maryland Department of Labor Assists Veterans

We want to help you find a job. Your first step is to contact your local American Job Center for assistance. Staff will help you, the transitioning service member or veteran, successfully transition to a rewarding career. The state's American Job Centers offer a variety of services to assist veterans, transitioning military personnel, and other qualified individuals. Priority of service is given to veterans and their eligible spouses who meet certain eligibility requirements. Local veterans employment representatives work with businesses, contractors, and employer organizations within local areas to develop career opportunities for veterans. The Disabled Veterans Outreach Program staff also provide specialized intensive employment assistance to eligible veterans with employment and training needs. Read More Here

State's Powerful Business Intelligence Tool Assists Small Business Community

FY2022 Procurement Forecast Now Available on the Governor's Office
of Small, Minority & Women Business Affairs Website

The State of Maryland’s Procurement Forecast for Fiscal Year 2022 is now available on the Governor’s Office of Small, Minority & Women Business Affairs website. 

The database is populated with solicitations of $100,000 or greater that are expected to be advertised or awarded through June 30, 2022. It comprises both new and recurring items, including task orders issued under master contracts. Users can choose from six different options to focus their search. By downloading search results to Excel, expanded information is provided, such as the buyer’s name and contact information.

“This is a powerful business intelligence tool for small, minority, women and veteran business owners,” said Jimmy Rhee, Special Secretary of the Governor’s Office of Small, Minority & Women Business Affairs. “It provides insight on what is likely to be coming down the pipeline and helps vendors make connections with buyers at the agency level.”

Small businesses are often looking for contracting opportunities below $100,000. As a result, many state agencies also include information on projected contracts between $15,000 and $99,999.

 “We highlight the procurement forecast and teach vendors how to mine the tool for valuable data all year long,” said Rhee. “Access to this information reinforces the open and transparent nature of Maryland’s public contracting arena,” said Rhee.

To access the database, visit the Procurement Forecast tab here. 

Maryland Department of Aging

The public is invited to review and comment on the Maryland Department of Aging’s Intrastate Funding Formula (IFF) now through August 6, 2021 at 11:59pm EST. The IFF is developed and used by states to allocate federal Older Americans Act (OAA) funds for programs and services offered by the 19 Area Agencies on Aging that represent Maryland’s local aging network.  There are several ways to provide your comments. Please visit our website for details: 

Federal News

Vet Center Services

Military Examination Boards/Medical Examination Boards

Agent Orange Update

Free Self-Development eCourse offered by the Travis Manion Foundation

Stronger on the Other Side: Post Traumatic Growth

Live Whole Health #80: Relaxation Practice

Live Whole Health #81: Managing Sleep with Acupressure

Tips for Caregivers: How to Safely Move Your Loved One

VA Maryland Health Care System: Creative Arts Festival

HealthWatch, the VA Maryland Health Care System's patient newsletter is available online

VA Provides Fertility and Infertility Care

VA is Hiring: VA Careers

How to Become a VA Police Officer

American Forces Travel Privileges Now Open to Eligible Veterans

Options for Foreclosure & Eviction

More Eviction Prevention Information

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 Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA) Chapter 524 of Frederick, MD is seeking disabled veterans to participate in a unique experience learning to build an aircraft.  An open house will be held on Saturday, August 14th in Frederick. Flier

Greenbelt American Legion Post 136 is continuing to fundraise for the Restore the Peace Cross Project.  Read More Here or contact: Commander Mike Moore at 301-204-1377 or terpmoore@msn.com

Royalty Foods at the Maryland Renaissance Festival is seeking veterans and family members for part-time weekend employment at the Festival: Flier

Project Opportunity has scheduled fall classes for Veteran Entrepreneurs:

Eastern Shore Orientation Class is scheduled for August 18, 2021: Flier

Baltimore City Orientation Class scheduled for August 19, 2021: Flier

Southern Maryland Orientation Class scheduled for August 24, 2021: Flier

Prince George's County Orientation Class scheduled for August 26, 2021: Flier

Entrepreneur training for Spouses of Veterans, Active Duty and Guard/Reserve Personnel - Orientation Class August 30th in Annapolis: Flier

Women Veterans Entrepreneur Podcasts

Upcoming Events at Baltimore Station

Black Veteran Student Loan Repayment Scholarship

National Association for Black Veterans (NABVETS) establishes western Maryland Chapter, Frederick News-Post article

Easterseals Veteran Staffing Network August Events

USO Metro

August 6, 2021 12:00pm-1:00pm

Navigating Job Search Platforms

Registration Required: http://bit.ly/JobSearchPlatformsAugust62021

VSN Tuesday Talks

10 August 2021

12-1 pm

Designing the Primary Resume

Registration required:  https://bit.ly/VSNPrimaryResume

VSN Tuesday Talks

17 August 2021

12-1 pm

Federal Employment Overview

Registration required: https://bit.ly/VSNFedEmploymentAug21

USO Metro

August 20, 2021 Time: 12:00pm-1:00pm

Tips and Techniques for the Application Process

Registration Required: http://bit.ly/ApplicationProcessAugust202021

Community Calendar

August 7, 2021

Purple Heart Recognition & Veterans Resource Fair, Newburg

August 12, 2021

Women United Veterans Committee, Inc. hosts 2021 Men's Seminar: Mental Health, PTS, MST, Location: Bowie to attend in-person or Zoom Meeting Information

Virtual Polygraph Only Hiring Event

August 14, 2021

Experimental Aircraft Association Open House, Frederick

August 18, 2021

Project Opportunity Orientation Day, Salisbury

August 19, 2021

Project Opportunity Orientation Day, Baltimore

August 22, 2021

Introduction to Hero Dogs

August 24, 2021

Project Opportunity Orientation Day, Waldorf

August 26, 2021

Project Opportunity Orientation Day, National Harbor

August 28, 2021

Fleet Reserve Association Open House, Annapolis

DAV Veterans Information & Benefits Clinic, Dundalk

August 30, 2021

Project Opportunity Orientation Day for Spouses, Annapolis

August 29, 2021

Women Veterans United Committee, Inc. hosts: Veteran Baby Shower

September 1, 2012

Voices of Vets Free Summer Concert, Annapolis

A new roof for a veteran's home is provided by Valor Roofing

Maryland Artillery Regimental Golf Tournament Team

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.