Unaccompanied Burials Scheduled at three Maryland Veterans Cemeteries - TODAY

The ceremonies held at Crownsville Veterans Cemetery and the Eastern Shore Veterans Cemetery will be held at 11:00 am:   Location: Crownsville Veterans Cemetery 1122 Sunrise Beach Road Crownsville, MD 21032 SP5 Walter Popko - Army - 8/12/1966-5/8/1969 PVT Isaac Jacobs - Army - 10/5/1955-10/2/1957 PVT2 Andrew Eaddy - Army - 1/1/49-12/12/1952     Location: Eastern Shore Veterans Cemetery 687 East New Market Ellwood Road Hurlock, MD 21643 SP4 Samuel Shinn - Army - 3/6/1968-12/6/1969 PV2 Terry Carper - Army - 2/9/1971-11/27-1972   The ceremony held at Garrison Forest Veterans Cemetery will be held at 1:00 pm:   Garrison Forest Veterans Cemetery 11501 Garrison Forest Road Owings Mills, MD 21117 SP4 William Stamper - Army - 6/12/1959-5/27/1961 SGT William Taylor - Air Force - 7/6/1972-7/5/1976 SGT John Hill - Army - 5/5/1966-5/27/1969   All are welcome to attend.  Ceremonies will include an Honor Guard and the playing of Taps.  The event will be standing room only with limited parking.  Questions may be directed to the Cemetery Program at 410-923-6981.          MDVA Cemetery & Memorials Program

Charlotte Hall Veterans Home January Newsletter

MDVA Website

The Maryland Veterans Service Animal Program is open for FY23 grant applications. 

The notice of funding availability, application, and associated materials are available on the MDVA website.

  For More Information  

Maryland Veterans Service Animal Program Application deadline is February 13, 2023 at 3:00pm

For questions please contact Toni Gianforti, Grants Specialist, at toni.gianforti@maryland.gov

Carroll County recently held the annual Point in Time Count, which helps capture a snapshot of people living outside and in shelters on a single night.  Roslyn Jones, MDVA Women Veterans/Inclusion Program Manager and Javier Toro, Housing Stability Program Coordinator, Carroll County Department of Citizen Services participated in the count.

Governor Wes Moore hosted nearly 100 veterans at the State House to reaffirm his legislative agenda to improve the lives of Maryland veterans, National Guard members, and their families — which includes $30 million to support his proposed Keep Our Heroes Home Act, and $5 million to provide healthcare services for National Guard members through his proposed Healthcare for Heroes Act. Governor Moore was joined at the veteran’s roundtable by Acting Secretary of the Department of Veteran Affairs Tony Woods and members of the general assembly.

“These investments show our administration’s commitment to supporting the lives of those who have made countless sacrifices to protect our nation,” said Governor Moore. “It was my honor to hear our veteran’s perspectives on their needs and how we can help them. I am proud to lead the charge in providing legislation and funding that will ensure my fellow veterans and National Guard members are taken care of, here at home.”

Photos courtesy of the Executive Office of the Governor

What to expect when you call the Veterans Crisis Line

2023 Session of the Maryland General Assembly has Convened

The Maryland General Assembly is currently meeting in Annapolis for the 2023 Legislative Session.  As a service to the veteran community, information on proposed legislation of possible interest to veterans is provided below:

2023 Legislative Information

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

Maryland General Assembly Website

Federal News

PACT Act Public Service Announcement

PACT Act - Caregivers

Feb 1st: Learn How to Protect PACT Act benefits from identity theft scammers

VA publishes new Airborne Hazards and Open Burn Pit Registry data

VA Benefits: Toxic Exposure update video

VA studies employment gaps among post-9/11 women Veterans

VA Video Connect: VA's Secure App for Video Visits

Prioritize well-being this winter with VA's Telehealth Tools

Live Whole Health #154:  Aspirations instead of resolutions

Live Whole Health #155: Making time to enjoy life

Veterans: Let's talk about guns and suicide

PTSD Bytes: Personal experiences with PTSD: AboutFace

Emergency Medical Care

VA Health & Benefits App: One-Stop Shop for Veterans

VA Life: Guaranteed Acceptance Whole Life Insurance for Veterans

No Barriers Warriors seeks Veterans with disabilities for 2023 backcountry expeditions

Challenge, adventure awaits Veterans at 2023 VA Summer Sports Clinic

2023 National Veterans Day Poster Contest Open for Submissions

Volunteer with Veterans to gain valuable experience

Social Security has redesigned the Military & Veterans webpage

Join us for an event to celebrate African American Heritage Month:

During this African American Heritage Month, The Center for Minority Veterans (CMV) is conducting a minority Veteran outreach, engagement, education, and enrollment effort.

All attendees will be provided information on minority Veteran disparities, PACT Act, and other services provided by the VA.

 We aim to inform Veterans of their benefits by hosting three events with the first being on February 8, 2023. Followed by another on February 15th, and CMV’s final presentation on February 22, 2023

 Please click the links below to register:

• Feb 8 Registration
• February 15 Registration
• February 22 Registration

If you require accommodations to attend this event, please reach out to vacocmv@va.gov.

Also on Feb. 9, 2023 VA is offering the Virtual Minority Veteran Outreach Symposium

What does COMPACT Act, section 201, mean for Veterans?

VA will now:

• Provide or pay for treatment of eligible individuals’ emergent suicide care, including transportation costs, at a VA or non-VA facility (up to 30 days of inpatient and 90 days of outpatient care, unless extended by VA).
• Make appropriate referrals for care following the period of emergent suicide care.
• Determine eligibility for other VA services and benefits.
• Refer eligible individuals for appropriate VA programs and benefits following the period of emergent suicide care.  READ MORE HERE

Mark your Calendars: May 11 - 13, 2023

Welcome Home Vietnam War Commemoration - Spread the Word Mark your calendars! Join us May 11-13, 2023 in Washington, D.C. as Americans gather to honor Vietnam veterans and embrace the enduring legacy of their service. Visit vietnamwar50th.com for details. 3.3 million who served between November 1, 1955 and May 15, 1975, and their families, have been publicly thanked by friends and neighbors during more than 23 thousand ceremonies hosted by our dedicated Commemorative Partners … but there is still more to do! We call on all Americans to thank the brave men and women who served and sacrificed during the Vietnam War period, especially those who may be residing in care facilities, living alone or discounted by society. 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/

ServingTogether is offering a Military, Veterans, & their Families Mental Health First Aid course session on February 24^th from 9 am – 5 pm. This course will be held in-person at 1750 Monocacy Blvd Suite A, Frederick MD 21701. There is no cost associated with participating in the course, and lunch will be provided. The last day to sign up is February 17^th and spaces are limited. Please sign up using the following link: EveryMind: Military & Veteran MHFA: ServingTogether @ Platoon Veteran Services Center at Goodwill (signupgenius.com).

Flier

Cohen Clinic at Easterseals:  Upcoming Events

Project Opportunity Announces Spring Classes - Free Entrepreneurial Training for Veterans

Prince George's County Orientation on March 8, 2023, Classes begin March 22nd

Montgomery County Orientation on February 27, 2023, Classes begin March 13th

Military Spouse Orientation on March 15, 2023. Classes begin on March 29th

Gilchrist's 5th Annual Welcome Home Vietnam Veterans Day Celebration

Community Calendar

January 30, 2023

Military Spouses Focus Group at the Severn Library, two sessions, Severn

February 1, 2023

Learn How to Protect PACT Act benefits from identity theft scammers

February 2, 2023

MDVA Women Veterans/Inclusion Program Focus Group, Registration

February 3, 2023

VA offers Mindfulness Meditation for Veterans

February 4, 2023

Essential Resources Day and Free Expungement Clinic, Howard Community College

eBenefits Clinic sponsored by the Women Veterans United Committee, Inc., Virtual

February 5, 2023

Howard County Veterans Book Club, online

February 7, 2023

Veterans Curation Program employs recently separated Veterans to rehabilitate archeological collections, Alexandria, VA 

February 9, 2023

Virtual Minority Veteran Outreach Symposium

February 11, 2023

Free Yoga Class for Emergency Responders & Military Personnel, Wor-Wic Community College

February 18, 2023

NABVETS 23rd Annual Buffalo Soldiers Memorial Banquet, Baltimore

February 23, 2023

Free Hearing Screening for Veterans, American Legion Post 82, La Plata

February 24, 2023

Mental Health First Aid Training, Frederick

April 18, 2023

Military Officers & Spouses 2023 Job Fair, Arlington

Cpl. Daniel Reichert, USMC has been a member of The American Legion for 64 years. He is a veteran of the 6th Marines at the Battles of Guadalcanal, Okinawa and the China Occupation following WWII (did I mention Daniel just turned 100 years young?).  At the American Legion Dewey Lowman Post #109 monthly membership meeting, our Department Commander Ronald Holcombe presented Daniel with one of his challenge coins and Post Adjutant Wild Bill Ganz presented Daniel with a Governor's Citation and a Maryland Crab Pin for his Legion Cap. Some of those congratulating Mr. Reichert in this photo are: American Legion Department of Maryland Commander Ronald Holcombe, Mr. Vernon Wilkins and MGYSGT LaGarian Smith, USMC.  Mr. Reichert's biography

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.