MDVA Cemetery & Memorials Program 

While planning for what is sometimes referred to as, "the time of need" is not something many of us want to think about, planning may be the most considerate thing you can do for your family. MDVA manages five state veterans cemeteries in Maryland and you may pre-register for your time of need.  The cemeteries are located in Allegany County, Anne Arundel County, Baltimore County, Dorchester County and Prince George's County.  To pre-register, please complete the Pre-interment application and mail it to your desired cemetery location. In case of an urgent situation where proof of service is needed, MDVA Secretary George Owings would also like to remind all Veterans to have a copy of your DD-214 stored with your important papers. For more information about the MDVA Cemetery & Memorial Program, use this link or call one of the cemeteries and speak with the MDVA staff.

Crownsville Veterans Cemetery in Anne Arundel County

MDVA Website

In Memoriam: Honoring Hershel "Woody" Williams,

 VA Video

We lost a true hero this week, and many of us at MDVA are remembering the opportunity we had to meet Woody Williams. Woody and a team from the Woody Williams Foundation worked with MDVA to place a Gold Star Families Memorial Monument in Annapolis, adjacent to the World War II Memorial.

Woody was presented with the Medal of Honor "for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty as Demolition Sergeant serving with the First Battalion, Twenty-First Marines, Third Marine Division, in action against enemy Japanese forces on Iwo Jima, Volcano Island, 23 February 1945". He was transferred in October 1945 to the Naval Barracks, Naval Training Station Bainbridge in Maryland for discharge.  Woody later joined the Marine Corps Reserves in his home state of West Virginia and he continued helping his fellow veterans as a Veterans Service Representative at the United States Department of Veterans Affairs for thirty-three years. 

Gold Star Families Memorial Monument

Located just north of the World War II Memorial in Annapolis, the Gold Star Families Memorial Monument was created by Medal of Honor Recipient Hershel “Woody” Williams to remember those families who have made the ultimate sacrifice.

The purpose of the Gold Star Families Memorial Monument is to honor Gold Star Families, preserve the memory of the fallen, and stand as a stark reminder that Freedom is not free. This stunning black granite monument features two sides. One side bears the words: Gold Star Families Memorial Monument, a tribute to Gold Star Mothers, Fathers, and Relatives who have sacrificed a Loved One for our Freedom. The other side tells a story through the four granite panels: Homeland, Family, Patriot, and Sacrifice. The scenes on each panel are a reflection of each community’s Gold Star Families and their fallen Heroes. At the center of this tribute is the most distinct feature of the monument, the cut out which represents the Loved One who paid the ultimate sacrifice in the name of Freedom. (Description courtesy of the Woody Williams Foundation)

MDVA Cemetery & Memorials Program

Maryland Veterans Commissioner, Dr. Cynthia Macri, USN (retired), served as the keynote speaker for 10th Anniversary celebration for Serving Together.  The event was held at the Military Women's Memorial located at the gateway of Arlington National Cemetery.

Spotlight on Education: Morgan State University

Energy Efficiency Programs for Homeowners and Renters

Repairs and upgrades to a home can significantly reduce energy use throughout the year, which can give you a more comfortable home, lower monthly power bills, and improve air quality and family health. The Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) offers programs that may provide help with things like insulation, hot water system improvements, heating/cooling repair or replacement, renewable energy systems, and other health and safety enhancements free of charge for homeowners and renters. 

How to apply for these programs: Turn in an OHEP or DHCD application. 

For questions or help with the application: Call 1-855-583-8976 or  Visit website.

Maryland Insurance Administration: Are you renting a vacation home for a few days or weeks this summer? Chances are you will be bringing some personal property along with you. Did you know that your homeowners or renters insurance may cover damage to your personal property while at your vacation home? Ask your agent or insurance company about your coverages.

Be the Safe Driver this 4th of July weekend: Zero Deaths Maryland Website

Federal News

Thursday, July 14th: Stand Down at Perry Point VA Medical Center

Ft. Meade Education & Resiliency Center

National Center for PTSD

Give Veterans the Comforts of Home with Home Based Primary Care

Explore employment opportunities for disabled Veterans

AARP launches free online hub to help Veterans fight fraud

Loneliness: Shining a spotlight on an enduring epidemic

Mindfulness Meditation for Veterans offered via telephone

Live Whole Health #126: Introduction to Qigong

Live Whole Health #127: Connecting Mind & Body Session 3 Sensation of Grounding

Live Whole Health: Embodying Social Connectedness

Live Whole Health: The Body Scan

Live Whole Health: Floor Yoga

Gearing Up: SERE Instructor Gives Tips for Hitting the Trail This Fall, Health.mil article

Plan Your Float: Boating Safety Tips from the Coast Guard: Health.Mil article

NOAA predicts above normal 2022 hurricane season - Are you prepared?

Small Business information and help at the Maryland Small Business Development Center

Caregiver Resource Fair

On July 20, 2022, at 1:00 p.m. ET (12:00 p.m. CT; 11:00 a.m. MT; 10:00 a.m. Pacific), join the Washington D.C. VA Medical Center CSP team for its Annual Caregiver Resource Fair! The Resource Fair will feature four organizations working to help support Veterans, caregivers, and their family members. This event is open for all community members, providers, caregivers, and Veterans. Registration is not required. Log in and dial-in information below. For more information, please contact: vhawas.generalcaregiversupport@va.gov. Please note there may be some organizations whose services are only available to those living in the D.C., Maryland, Virginia area.

WebEx: Link: https://veteransaffairs.webex.com

Access Code: 2764 200 7224

Password: Caregivers2022!

Dial in by phone: Number: 1-833-558-0712

Access Code: 2764 200 7224

Password: 22734483

Caregiver Support Line Monthly Education Call

Do you want to strengthen your family? Join July’s Caregiver Support Line’s (CSL) call for Safe Haven: Building on Family Strength. The call will be on the following dates and times:

• Tuesday, July 5, 2022, at 10:00 a.m. ET (9:00 a.m. CT; 8:00 a.m. MT; 7:00 a.m. Pacific)
• Wednesday, July 13, 2022, at 7:00 p.m. ET (6:00 p.m. CT; 5:00 p.m. MT; 4:00 p.m. Pacific)
• Wednesday, July 20,2022, at 3:00 p.m. ET (2:00 p.m. CT; 1:00 p.m. MT; 12:00 p.m. Pacific)

Caregivers must register to join the CSL monthly education call. To register, call 1-855-260-3274. Caregivers unable to attend the calls can access presentations on the CSL’s webpage.

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

Veterans Book Club: Groups gather regularly in Baltimore, Harford, Howard, Prince George's and St. Mary's Counties.  Read More Here

Women Veterans United Committee, Inc. is collecting donations for the Women Veteran Baby Shower: Flier and  More Information, Donations Needed & Drop-off Locations.

SAVE THE DATE: Saturday, March 25, 2023 Gilchrist's 5th Annual Welcome Home Vietnam Veterans Day Celebration.  More information to come.

Blue Star Families: The 2022 Military Family Lifestyle Survey is now open until July 10th! Take it here https://syracuseuniversity.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_dcLum8O6cJCiCKW?RID=MLRP_56gPVti7FXl2Zim&Q_CHL=email

Project Opportunity provides free entrepreneurship education, training, coaching and a supportive community for veterans in pursuit of owning a successful small business.

Upcoming classes:

Baltimore Fall Class

Spouses of Veterans, Active Duty, and Guard/Reserve Personnel Fall Class, Linthicum.

News from Community Building Art Works:

Paint Night - July 6th at 7pm EST - Virtual

Join Veteran Artist, Natasha Lewis, for a fun paint night as she guides you step-by-step through a classic painting. But if you're feeling inspired, you can customize your painting however you like! This virtual visual art workshop is FREE and no art experience is necessary. Registration HERE. 

How to Write a Memoir: An Evening with Anthony Almojera - July 12th at 7pm EST - Virtual

Join us for a special writing workshop with author and NYC paramedic, Anthony Almojera, to benefit Community Building Art Works programs for veterans, service members, military families, and health care workers. This workshop is free for Veterans, Service Members, and Healthcare Workers. All ticket sales benefit CBAW's programs. This workshop will be recorded* and a link will be e-mailed to all ticket holders once the recording is available for viewing.

In this workshop, Anthony will talk about the process and challenges of writing Riding the Lightning, his debut memoir. Topics will include managing timelines, navigating patient privacy, and leaning into vulnerability. Anthony will offer exercises and ideas to help attendees begin to think about the narrative arc of their own stories.

UPON REGISTRATION, YOU WILL RECEIVE A 10% DISCOUNT CODE TO ORDER RIDING THE LIGHTNING ON BOOKSHOP.

Registration HERE.

For more info about CBAW, visit www.cbaw.org or email info@cbaw.org.

Community Calendar

July 13, 2022

Howard County In-Person Summer Hiring Event

July 22nd - 24th, 2022

5th Annual Skydive with Heroes on the River & Skydive Shenandoah, New Market, VA

July 30, 2022

Discovery Time for Military Families at Wellspring of Life Farm, Monkton

August 17, 2022

DC Bourbiz at MGM National Harbor for Veteran & Military Spouse Networking

Miyah Straughn, a Veteran employee for American Income, is the first donor for the next Women Veterans Baby Shower. Don't forget you can drop off at DAV Omaha Beach Chapter #7, 8205 Laurel Bowie Road, Bowie, MD. 

Women Veterans United Committee, Inc. is collecting donations for the Women Veteran Baby Shower: Flier and  More Information, Donations Needed & Drop-off Locations.

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.