Volunteering with MDVA

Spring has arrived and beautification & clean-up projects are underway at MDVA Veteran Cemeteries and Memorials.  If you  are interested in helping with such projects, we welcome volunteer assistance.  For more information, please contact:          For Memorials:     Keith Brown, Superintendent: 410-354-3550   For Cemeteries: Cheltenham, 301-372-6398 Crownsville: 410-987-6320 Eastern Shore: 410-943-3420 Garrison Forest: 410-363-6090 Rocky Gap: 301-777-2185   MDVA Cemetery & Memorial Program

MDVA Website

Midshipmen from the United States Naval Academy joined MDVA staff to clean and landscape the World War II Memorial in Annapolis last weekend.

A job well done by the Naval Academy Midshipmen. 

MDVA Secretary George Owings, Maryland Veterans Commissioner Franklin Killebrew, Senator C. Arthur Ellis, Senator Obie Patterson and Delegate Mike Rogers gathered with members of the Tuskegee Aiemen Inc. and the American Legion following the testimony supporting the passage of HB 479, Tuskegee Airmen Commemoration Day in Maryland. 

From left to right in this photo are: Melvin Graves, American Legion Legislative Commission Department of Maryland, Joseph D. Pruden, Jr., American Legion, Legislative Commission Department of Maryland, Maryland Veterans Commissioner Franklin Killebrew,who is also a member of the Tuskegee Airmen Inc., Maryland Delegate Mike Rogers, MDVA Secretary George Owings, Curtis Lindsay, Tuskegee Airmen Inc., Maryland Senator C. Arthur Ellis, Jerry Burton, National President of Tuskegee Airmen Inc., Maryland Senator Obie Patterson, and Edward Harbison, Tuskegee Airmen Inc.

Maryland Veterans Commissioner, Dr. Cynthia Macri was recently appointed to the national VA Advisory Committee on Women Veterans.  Congratulations to Dr. Macri for this prestigious appointment.

MDVA Secretary Owings attended a meeting of the Maryland Military Installation Council. Also attending were many of our colleagues who serve Veterans and Military Families every day: 

From left to right: Lisa Terry, Howard County Office of Veterans & Military Families, Yolanda Rayford, Baltimore Chapter Director, Blue Star Families, Maryland Veterans Commissioner Stan Seidel, Cynthia Cavalieri, Executive Director, Baltimore Federal Executive Board, MDVA Secretary George Owings, Jason Marshall, Program Manager, ServingTogether.

News from Charlotte Hall Veterans Home:

April 2022 Newsletter

Members of the Army Outreach Committee based in Virginia visted Charlotte Hall Veterans Home to recognize Vietnam Veterans on Welcome Home Vietnam Veterans Day.  A ceremony was held for the residents and they were pinned with the Vietnam Veteran Lapel Pin.  Personal visits were made to Vietnam Veterans in their rooms, if they were unable to attend the ceremony. Aerotech News article

Photo Credit: Staff Sgt. Dustin Biven

More photos taken during Welcome Home Vietnam Veterans Day events around the state were sent to MDVA.  Please scroll down to the Community Partners section to view more photos.

MDVA would like to recognize Commissioner Leonard Kirk, who represents the American Ex-POWs on the Maryland Veterans Commission. Commissioner Kirk will be retiring from the Commission after years of dedicated service. Thank you for your service to Maryland Veterans, Commissioner Kirk! Tomorrow, April 9th is National Former Prisoner of War Recognition Day.

Governor's Office of Small, Minority & Women Women Business Affairs

Mission:  As a coordinating office of Governor Larry Hogan, we connect the small business community to greater economic opportunities in both the public and private sectors, while implementing and monitoring small, minority, women, and veteran procurement programs across 70 state agencies. Stay connected to the many opportunities for training, networking, and business development that are taking place across Maryland and on virtual platforms. Here is a highlight of some of the events coming up this month.  04/12/2022 - How to Fund Your Business Start-Uo 04/14/2022 - Commercial Insurance Issues Facing Small Businesses 04/20/2022 - What Small Business Owners Need to Know bout Risk Management 04/26/2022 - Navigating eMaryland Marketplace Advantage 04/28/2022 - Prime Contracting in the Small Business Reserve (SBR) Program Check out the full listing of small business events online at goMDsmallbiz.maryland.gov.

Spotlight on Education:

University of  Maryland Global Campus on April 28th:  Military and Veteran Entrepreneur & Appreciation Fair, Hyattsville

University of Baltimore on May 21st: Military and Veteran Open House, Baltimore

Mount St. Mary's University participates in the VA Warriors to Workforce Program. Read More information on Warriors to Workforce Program.

News from Maryland Public Television (MPT)

During the week of April 17-23 MPT celebrates the Chesapeake Bay region once again with its 18^th annual Chesapeake Bay Week®  offering more than 21 hours of content focusing on the Chesapeake Bay’s history, heritage, and resources as well as efforts to protect its diverse ecosystem.

On April 21^st True North: Sailing to Salvation will air at 7PM, telling the story of a group of distressed war veterans who – feeling alienated from society upon their return from duty – find healing, connection, and a sense of belonging through participation in the Valhalla Sailing Project on the Chesapeake Bay in Annapolis.

News from Maryland Department of Natural Resources

Fishing Rodeos Kick off for 2022 Season
Young Angler Events Return Across Maryland

Youth anglers of all ages are encouraged to hone their fishing skills at any of Maryland’s nearly 50 youth fishing rodeos spread out across the state this year. The Maryland Department of Natural Resources is working with dozens of organizations in 14 counties. Read more. 

2022 Session of the Maryland General Assembly has Convened

The Maryland General Assembly is currently meeting in Annapolis for the 2022 Legislative Session.  As a service to the veteran community, information on proposed legislation of possible interest to veterans is provided below:

2022 Legislative Information

You may check the status of proposed legislation by visiting the:

Maryland General Assembly Website

Maryland Homeowner Assistance Fund

Are you struggling to keep up with your mortgage payments or other housing costs due to COVID-19 related financial hardships? The Maryland Homeowner Assistance Fund may be able to help.​ Read More Here

The Low Income Household Water Assistance Program (LIHWAP) is available statewide and provides Maryland households with financial relief toward water and/or wastewater bills. Eligible households may receive up to $2,000. LIHWAP funding is limited and applications will be accepted on a first come, first served basis. Read More Here

Federal News

VA Maryland Healthcare System: Perry Point Veterans Museum at the Grist Mill Grand Reopening, April 16th

VETSERVE 2022: National Day of Service April 21st

"Six Triple Eight" Women to receive Congressional Gold Medal

WomensHealth.VA.gov website revamped

Disability Compensation & Benefits available to Vietnam War Veterans

How to Prevent & Treat Traumatic Brain Injuries

Five ways to access VA care virtually during and after COVID-19 pandemic

LIve Whole Health #116: Importance & confidence

Live Whole Health Blog #117: Social connection

How Veterans Can Register to Vote

VA: April is Financial Literacy Month: Free Virtual Classes

Social Security Administration offices resume in-person services

Advance Care Planning and Healthcare Decision Day  

The Caregiver Support Program (CSP) joins the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), and the country in recognizing National Healthcare Decision Day. Observed annually on April 16^th, National Healthcare Decision Day is a great opportunity to start the conversation about advance care planning and begin to make decisions with your loved ones. VA has excellent resources for Veterans, caregivers, and family members for advance care planning. Visit VA’s Making Decisions: Advance Care Planning website for more 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

ServingTogether offers service members, veterans and their families access to a class-leading continuum of providers that runs the gamut from superior mental health, housing, and emergency service providers to employment, financial capabilities, education, volunteering, recreation and fitness, and more! We are able to track client progress, communicate with providers and ensure the veterans are truly getting what they need all free of charge.  

Serving Together has been immensely successful in building a dynamic team that is truly devoted to the mission of the organization. This team has tangible, personal connections to our veterans and genuine concern for their best outcomes. ServingTogether provides peer navigation, collaboratives, guides, education, and training. Please visit our Website for more information.  

https://servingtogetherproject.org/

Community Calendar

April 12, 2022

Baltimore Military Muster

April 13th & 14th

Maryland National Guard Face to Face Hiring & Resources Event for Guard Members, Spouses, Dependents, Caregivers and Military Veterans, Towson

April 16, 2022

Reopening of Veterans Museum at Perry Point

Women Veterans United Committee Inc.: Protecting Our Children Event, Bowie and Virtual

April 21, 2022

VETSERVE 2022: National Day of Service

April 27, 2022

Virtual Welcome2VA for Post 9/11 Veterans

April 28, 2022

University of Maryland Global Campus Military and Veteran Entrepreneur & Appreciation Fair, Hyattsville

April 30, 2022

Discovering Horses Clinic for Active Duty Military & Veterans, Monkton

May 15, 2022

Carroll County Veterans Celebration, Westminster

June 8 and 9, 2022

MDVA Women Veterans AppreSHEation

Photos from Welcome Home Vietnam Veterans Day Events

MDVA Secretary George Owings (center), welcomes and thanks the Army Outreach Team for honoring residents of Charlotte Hall who served during the Vietnam War.

Photo Credit: Staff Sgt. Dustin Biven

MDVA Secretary George Owings pins Dr. James Dula, Veterans Affairs Officer for the Prince George's County Office of Veterans Affairs with the Vietnam Veteran Lapel Pin.  This photo was taken at the Welcome Home Vietnam Veteran event held at the American Legion Post #206 in Chesapeake Beach.

Welcome Home Vietnam Veterans event at American Legion Post #226 in Edgewater

Vietnam Veterans attending the Welcome Home Vietnam Veteran event at American Legion Post #206 in Chesapeake Beach. The Southern Maryland Chronicle Article

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.