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News and Announcements - November 4, 2022
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MDVA News
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A Veterans Day Message from George Owings, Secretary, Maryland Department of Veterans Affairs
At the Maryland Department of Veterans Affairs, we like to say that every day is Veterans Day. Our team of 117 personnel are committed daily to ensuring our veterans and eligible dependents have access to the services and benefits to which they are entitled.
Whether we are assisting a veteran with a VA benefits application, caring for a veteran at Charlotte Hall Veterans Home, ensuring a veteran has the means to remain financially stable, or providing perpetual care at our veteran’s cemeteries, we are committed to the mission of honoring and serving Veterans.
The origins of Veterans Day date back to November 11, 1918, when the armistice ending World War I went into effect. The following year, President Wilson recognized November 11 as the first official commemoration of Armistice Day and it became a day to honor and celebrate the “war to end all wars”. Congress passed an act in 1938 that officially recognized the day but following World War II, and the largest mobilization of service members in our history, Congress replaced the word “Armistice” with “Veterans”. Now, the federal holiday is a day to recognize, honor, and celebrate all veterans.
Veterans Day is one of two very special days for the men and women who have served in the United States Military. The first, Memorial Day, is a day set aside to honor those who paid the ultimate sacrifice. It is a day of great reflection and remembrance of the lives lost during times of war. The second day, Veterans Day, is a day of great celebration for all who have served.
This year, MDVA is collaborating with the National Association of Counties, Maryland Association of Counties, Maryland Municipal League and County Veterans Affairs Commissions on Operation Green Light. This November, we hope to see Maryland illuminated in green. See more information below regarding Operation Green Light, including Governor Hogan's message.
On behalf of the entire Department, I would like to thank all of our veterans for their service and to their families, I say thank you for your support and sacrifice while your loved ones served.
May God bless our Nation, our great state of Maryland, and all who continue to serve!
Governor Hogan Announces Operation Green Light To Honor Veterans Statewide
As the nation prepares to mark Veterans Day, Governor Larry Hogan announced the State of Maryland’s participation in Operation Green Light, a new initiative to support military veterans, as well as raise awareness about the resources available to assist veterans and their families. The state’s outreach efforts are being led by the Maryland Department of Veterans Affairs (MDVA), County Veterans Affairs Commissions, the Maryland Association of Counties (MACo), and the Maryland Chamber of Commerce.
“We owe an incredible debt to those who have worn the flag of our nation on their arm, and who put their lives on the line to protect the rights and freedoms that we hold so dear,” said Governor Hogan. “Our veterans serve as a reminder every single day of the immeasurable cost of war, and of the immense price of freedom. Operation Green Light brings us together across the state to show our gratitude to our veterans, and just as importantly, raise awareness for the resources available to them and their families.” Read More Here.
Veterans Day Observances at MDVA Locations
To honor Veterans on Veterans Day, the following ceremonies will be held at Maryland Department of Veterans Affairs locations on Friday, November 11, 2022:
11:00 AM
Cheltenham Veterans Cemetery - 11301 Crain Highway, Cheltenham, MD 20623
Crownsville Veterans Cemetery – 1122 Sunrise Beach Road, Crownsville, MD 21032
Garrison Forest Veterans Cemetery - 11501 Garrison Forest Road, Owings Mills, MD 21117
World War II Memorial - 1920 Ritchie Highway (Rt. 450 at Naval Academy Bridge), Annapolis, MD 21401
1:30 PM
Eastern Shore Veterans Cemetery – 6827 East New Market Ellwood Road, Hurlock, Maryland 21643
2:00 PM
Rocky Gap Veterans Cemetery - 14205 Pleasant Valley Road, NE, Flintstone, MD 21530
Note: There is no ceremony scheduled at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Baltimore this year. Members of the Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter 451, who usually organize the ceremony will be going to the national Vietnam Veterans Memorial, "The Wall" in Washington, DC for the 40th Anniversary of that Memorial.
For Community Veterans Day events, please scroll down to the Community news section.
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 Maryland Veterans Commissioner and State Commander of the Jewish War Veterans, Erwin Burtnick (standing in the center), presented a donation of $1,000 from the Jewish War Veterans Kreiger-Loube Post 567, located in Silver Spring. Accepting the donation to the Maryland Veterans Trust Fund are MDVA Secretary George Owings and Chairman KT Tyler, Maryland Veterans Commission. Seated is Vice-Chairman Leroy Thornton of the Maryland Veterans Commission.
 The USS Emmons Association recently held their annual reunion in Annapolis, and members attending the event donated a large selection of personal care items to the residents of Charlotte Hall Veterans Home. In this photo are Michelle Cariaso, Director of Charlotte Hall Veterans Home and Roslyn Jones, Women Veterans/Inclusion Program Manager with the donations of toiletries, combs, razors, handmade hats & scarves and other items. Thank you to the members of the USS Emmons Association for these generous donations.
Maryland Veterans Commissioner, Dr. Cynthia Macri is in the news again. Check out this article in the Lehigh News about her role as a pioneer for Women's sports at Lehigh.
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State Partner News
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 Veterans Day Proclamation from Governor Larry Hogan
 Governor Hogan Leads Dedication Ceremony for Major General Linda L. Singh Readiness Center in Carroll County
Honor For First Woman and First African American to Lead Maryland National Guard
Governor Larry Hogan led the dedication ceremony of the Major General Linda L. Singh Readiness Center in Carroll County. In 2015, the governor appointed General Singh as the first woman and the first African American to lead the Maryland National Guard.
Read More Here
Photo courtesy of the Executive Office of the Governor
 MDVA Secretary George Owings and MDVA Deputy Secretary Robert Finn also attended the dedication ceremony honoring Major General Singh.
Spotlight on Education: University of Baltimore and Towson University:
The University of Baltimore has partnered with Towson University to offer a wonderful student veteran’s celebration on Saturday Nov 5th. Starting at 10:30am, there will be a special, veteran and military connected tailgate party prior to the 2:00pm game between Towson University and Villanova. Read more here.
Maryland Public Television is offering 15 hours of Veteran-focused programming in November
In November, Maryland Public Television (MPT) will offer 15 hours of programming devoted to the nation's military veterans and their families. The lineup includes the national television debut of the MPT-presented documentary P.O.W: Passing on Wisdom, on Friday, November 11, Veterans Day.
For the past several years, MPT has been collaborating with producer 3 Penny Films, in association with the United States Naval Academy Foundation and Finnegan's Wake Films, to bring P.O.W.: Passing on Wisdom to public TV stations nationwide. Read More Here
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The Maryland Department of Health and PsychArmor invite you to join us for a one hour live webinar on November 9th from 12-1 PM to learn more about the military veteran community and culture. Led by Dr. Heidi Kraft, chief clinical psychologist at PsychArmor and Navy combat veteran, we will empower attendees to better facilitate conversations and understanding with the military connected community.
Flier Register here: https://bit.ly/3gsU97p
Spotlight on Education: Hagerstown Community College:
Maryland Transit Administration Providing Free Rides on Veterans Day
The Maryland Department of Transportation Maryland Transit Administration (MDOT MTA) is recognizing Veterans Day by offering free transit rides for all U.S. military veterans, active-duty military and members of the National Guard and Reserves on Friday, November 11, 2022. This is the fourth consecutive year MDOT MTA has provided free transit across the agency’s fixed-route services to honor our nation’s military personnel.
“We appreciate the sacrifices veterans and military personnel have made for us and our nation,” said MDOT MTA Administrator Holly Arnold. “A free day of transit is one way we can say ‘thank you’ for their service and commitment.” Read More Here.
Veteran Entrepreneur Luncheon Celebration
The Governor's Office of Small, Minority &Women Business Affairs is pleased to host the inaugural Veteran-Owned Small Business Enterprise (VSBE) Appreciation Luncheon on Wednesday, November 9 at 11 am. Our keynote speaker is Linda Singh, PhD., the first African American and first woman adjutant general of the Maryland National Guard. Governor Larry Hogan recently renamed and dedicated a readiness center at the Maryland National Guard Armory in Eldersburg in honor of Retired General Singh. Dr. Singh has over 30 years of leadership experience in the public and private sectors. She became an entrepreneur in 2016, and today is providing leadership and management consulting services as the Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Kaleidoscope Affect, LLC. Maryland Live! Casino & Hotel has generously donated the event space and catering to make this celebration possible. We cordially invite our certified VSBE vendors to attend. Seating is limited and advance registration is required.
VSBE Appreciation Luncheon
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Maryland's Veteran-Owned Small Business Enterprise (VSBE) Program
Thursday, November 17, 2022
10 a.m. - 12 noon
Are you a veteran entrepreneur? This session of our Technical Training Classroom takes a look at Maryland's VSBE Program's eligibility standards and online certification process. We'll also explore common procurement practices and examine tactics for mining the state's open and transparent procurement pipeline. Special guests will join us to highlight additional veteran services.
Who should attend? Veteran small business owners and entrepreneurs who want to assess the state contracting arena and gain a better understanding of Maryland's VSBE Program.
Your instructor is Danielle Davis, VSBE Compliance Manager, Governor's Office of Small, Minority & Women Business Affairs. REGISTER
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Community Partner News
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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:
Healing Waters Fly Fishing education is offered every 4th Tuesday of the month at the American Legion Post in Frederick. Read more here.
Women Veterans United Committee, Inc.: November Events
Anne Arundel and Howard Counties offer Military Career Connections to Veterans, transitioning service members and spouses.
On November 10 from 12-2pm, Junior Tennis Champions Center (JTCC) will host a Veterans Day Tennis Celebration in partnership with Mission BBQ, Wounded Warrior Project, and No Greater Sacrifice. All veterans, active duty military members, and their families are welcome to participate in this free event, as well as any members from the community who want to show their appreciation for our veterans! JTCC coaches and high performance junior players will lead tennis instruction and partner with players for games and match play. If you’ve never picked up a tennis racket before, you’re a seasoned player, or if your tennis skills lie anywhere in between, you are invited to attend!
Mission BBQ is providing a meal for all to share after the tennis festivities. We hope to see you here at JTCC in College Park on November 10, information on registration is below!
What: Veterans Day Tennis Celebration
When: November 10 12-2pm
Who: Everybody! Veterans, active duty military members, their families, and everyone from the community is invited to join.
Where: JTCC, 5200 Campus Drive, College Park, MD 20740
Why: To celebrate our veterans and have fun through tennis!
How to sign up:
If you are a Veteran or active duty military member, please register for the Tennis Corps program at this link: https://forms.gle/CRUenGKZBFPrzSXEA
If you are a community member wanting to celebrate our veterans, please complete the volunteer form at this link: https://events.pointapp.org/22658
 Charles County Government is ready for Operation Green Light!
Community Calendar
November 4, 2022 - TODAY
Military-connect family Storytime with Lt. Commander Kelly Welsh, Annapolis
NABVETS Claim Clinic, Annapolis
Handmade with Love, Knit or Crochet for Veterans, Howard County
NOVA Vets and Frederick County Coalition sponsoring Virtual Mental Health First Aid Training
Ft. Meade 10,000 Steps for Veterans
November 5, 2022
Veteran Community Partner Resource Day, Annapolis
Stars, Stripes & Chow Chili Cookoff to benefit Baltimore Station, Oriole Park at Camden Yards
Veteran Health, Wellness & Information Expo, Silver Spring
The Steven A. Cohen Military Family Clinic at Easterseals 5th Birthday Bash, Silver Spring, Register
November 7, 2022
Veteran Resource Fair, Hagerstown
November 9, 2022
Veteran Entrepreneur Luncheon Celebration, Hanover
Prince George's County Community College Veterans Appreciation Dinner, Largo
November 10, 2022
Tour the new Platoon Veteran Services Center, Frederick
Veterans Resource Fair 2022, Silver Spring
DAV/Recruit Military Hiring Event, FEDEX Field, Landover
Veterans Day Tennis Celebration, College Park
November 11, 2022
Tidal Health is providing free Flu and COVID-19 Vaccinations for Veterans and their families, Salisbury
Peace Cross Rededication, Bladensburg
City of Annapolis Veterans Day Observance
MCVET Virtual 5K/10K
VA Health Care Enrollment Fair & Veterans Claims Clinic, Baltimore
Baltimore City Veterans Day Parade, WMAR2News article
November 12, 2022
Veterans Day Community Connection, Severna Park Library
Harford County Veterans Resource Fair, Bel Air
Veterans Claims Clinic and Picnic, Cambridge
Adaptive Cycling at Patapsco Valley State Park
American Legion Family Active-Duty Military Baby Shower, Hughesville
Conduit Care Coordination and Claims Clinic, Greenbelt
Washington Wizards Military Appreciation Night, Washington, DC
November 13, 2022
Howard County Veterans Day Parade and Ceremony
PG Valor Opening Night Admission free for Vets, Retirees and Active Duty, Upper Marlboro
November 15, 2022
MDVA/VA Benefits Briefing, Annapolis
November 17, 2022
Veterans Job & Resource Fair, Largo
November 19, 2022
Gold Star Families Memorial Monument Cleanup, sponsored by the Travis Manion Foundation, Annapolis
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.
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