Leadership representatives from the United States Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Washington, DC visited Charlotte Hall Veterans Home and toured the facility last week.

In this photo are from left to right:

Tom Johnson, Inventory Compliance Specialist, MDVA

Ashley Radano, Contract Compliance Coordinator, MDVA

Angela Quade, Fiscal Compliance Specialist, MDVA

Michelle P. Cariaso, Director, Charlotte Hall Veterans Home, MDVA

Michael S. Heimall, Medical Center Director, DCVAMC

Timothy H.  Graham, J.D., LL.M, Deputy Medical Center Director, DCVAMC

Zenae Merchant, Administrator Charlotte Hall Veterans Home, HMR LLC.

George W. Owings III, Secretary, MDVA

Mr. John Parlett, holding the microphone is the President of Crusin' Southern Maryland. He is presenting another large donation to support the comfort needs of Charlotte Hall residents.

Cruisin' SOMD has donated a total of $125,000 since the first Cruise began.  The organization also presented an award to former Charlotte Hall Director, Sharon Murphy for her service to veterans and partnership with the organization.

Thank you to our friends at Crusin' Southern Maryland!

MDVA Secretary George Owings, Brigadier General Warner Sumpter (Ret.) and MDVA Deputy Secretary Robert Finn were on the road again last week searching for property for another Veterans Home in Maryland.  General Sumpter is the Chair of the Maryland Veterans Home Commission.

MDVA Website

The Almas Shriners donated a Dodge Van to Charlotte Hall Veterans Home.  The van will join the fleet of vehicles which are used to transport residents to vital medical appointments, recreational excursions, and other resident conveyance needs.  Thank you to the Almas Shriners for this very generous donation.  Accepting the donation on the right is Michelle Cariaso, Charlotte Hall Director.

Today is the last day to nominate for the Governor's Service Awards

The Governor's Office on Service and Volunteerism is proud to host the Governor's Service Awards in order to honor exceptional service and lift up volunteer leaders who are making a tremendous impact. The deadline has been extended to this Friday, October 8th. Please take a moment to recognize a Marylander you know who has made a special contribution to our communities over the past year or over a lifetime. Give us a share on Facebook and Twitter.  More information about Governor's Service Awards:  https://gosv.maryland.gov/governors-service-awards/ Nomination form:  https://forms.gle/QdboYcWteGDVkzQc8 If you have any additional questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact Joanna at joanna.chen@maryland.gov

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.

MDVA Secretary George Owings received his COVID-19 vaccine booster shot this week.

Mark Your Calendar

Stay connected to the many opportunities for training, networking, and business development taking place across Maryland and on virtual platforms. Here is a highlight of some of the events coming up this month. 

10/12/2021 - Offshore Wind: Getting Started
10/13/2021 - Setting Up Your Bookkeeping For Your Business to Thrive in 2022
10/20/2021 - Quickbooks Basics for Small Businesses
10/26/2021 - Social Media Marketing

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

Maryland Department of Budget and Management (DBM) has a veterans page. 

See: Maryland Jobs for Veterans

Spotlight on Education: Chesapeake Beach Memorial Day Color Guard from Huntingtown High NJROTC

MDVA Secretary Owings met the Chesapeake Beach Memorial Day Color Guard from Huntingtown High NJROTC earlier this summer, and was so impressed, he wanted to feature them in this newsletter.  Just some of their accomplishments include: Color Guard for the nationally broadcast 2018 NASA Astronaut Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony at Cape Canaveral; the Cadets have been invited to the White House; the Orienteering Team has gone to the National Championships for 7 years in a row all over the country; and it is the ONLY JROTC unit of any service (Navy, Army, Air Force or USMC) to field a Scuba Team.

You are Invited to Join Bells of Peace

Toll “Bells of Peace” on 11/11 at 11am local time, and honor all those who served and sacrificed in WWI. Bells of Peace is a U.S. national bell tolling remembrance that was created in collaboration with the Society of the Honor Guard, Tomb of the Unknown Soldier (SHGTUS) to commemorate the 100-year anniversary of the World War I Armistice, November 11, 2018. Read More Here

Federal News

I've Got a Friend I'm Worried About - What Should I do?, Health.mil article

VA: Women Veterans Today

VA Maryland Health Care System: Flu shot information

Martinsburg VA Medical Center: Mental Health Fact Sheet

Martinsburg VA Medical Center: Recognizes Food Service Workers

VA launching outreach and care networks for Long COVID

Care for Veterans with substance use disorders

How does VA test for Tinnitus

What you need to know about Sleep Apnea and your health

What you need to know about VA debts and debt relief notification

Free, online Bystander Intervention Training for Veterans

PTSD - Move forward by looking back

HUD-VASH: Providing Safe Housing, Quality Health Care for Veterans

Live Whole Health #90: Acupressure for Head and Neck Relief

Live Whole Health #91: Seated Tai Chi

2021 Guide to Military Benefits, Militarytimes.com article

Stressed about Finances? Check out these VA resources for Veterans.

2021 National Veterans Sports Clinic at Home, (this video includes some of the Sailing Clinic held in Annapolis)

WATCH Veterans Experience Adaptive Sports and Arts

VA Neuroscientist Ann McKee talks brain injuries in Veterans and NFL players

VA Legacy Memorial expands to include VA-grant funded state, territorial and tribal Veterans cemeteries

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

Women Veterans Entrepreneur Podcast, The Entrepreneurial Development & Assistance Center

Fisher House Foundation provides free lodging while receiving care at the VA:   www.fisherhouse.org 

The Steven A. Cohen Clinic at Easterseals: Extensive List of Events and Activities 

The mission of Voices of Vets is to honor veterans through live performances showcasing tunes from the 40's, 50's, 60's, 70's, and patriotic songs. Their goal is to visit every veteran home in the United States to show our appreciation for the great sacrifices they made for our country. They want the veterans to know that they are not forgotten. They also perform at other related veterans' events. For more information, please visit https://www.voicesofvetsinc.com.

Third Annual Voice Raiser Fundraiser

Chesapeake Shakespeare Company is pleased to offer our popular Veterans Ensemble class FREE for US Military Veterans.

Community Calendar

October 9, 2021

Paws for a Cause, Taylors Island

October 18, 2021

Voices of Vets Fundraiser

October 21, 2021

Maryland Government Agency Day - Virtual

October 22, 2021

Veterans Naturalization Assistance Program Legal Clinic

October 26, 2021

American Veteran, on PBS

November 5, 2021

St. Mary's County Veterans Resource Day, Great Mills

November 7, 2021

Howard County Veterans Day Parade, Columbia

November 10, 2021

DAV Veterans Grab and Go Event, Silver Spring

November 13, 2021

DAV Benefits & Claims Clinic, Newburg

November 16 & 17, 2021

Maryland Commitment to Veterans 2021 Virtual Behavioral Health Symposium

Above, Tiffany Daniel, Karen Holmes, Missi Martin, Tyra Nelson, and Dr. JoAnn served as Judges for the Michael "Maddog" Sater Flame of Hope of Contest held during the Women Veterans United Committee, Inc. 3rd Annual Retreat with CTLDOM Group at Club Wyndham National Harbor. Winners are from Glassmanor Elementary School.  The Retreat entitled, "Exercise Your Mental Muscle" was a success and well attended.

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.