Message from Secretary Anthony Woods:

Dear Friends, You may have heard of the passing of my immediate predecessor, former Maryland Department of Veterans Affairs Secretary, George W. Owings III.  George passed away earlier this week after a brief battle with cancer.  Therefore, I am dedicating this issue of the MDVA newsletter to Secretary Owings.  He had the foresight as a legislator to propose the legislation creating this department and he was later appointed to be Secretary of MDVA, serving under three Governors.  His legacy is the vibrant veteran community the department he created has helped to foster in the state. Last year, MDVA adopted a program supported by the National Association of Counties called Operation Green Light. It was very successful, with many public buildings, private businesses and even individual residences illuminated in green to shine a light of support for Veterans. This program began while Secretary Owings led MDVA.  I urge you to help make Operation Green Light even bigger this year in George’s memory.  More information on becoming involved may be found here. Thank you for your service, Tony

Join us next week for Operation Green Light as we illuminate Maryland in green November 6 to November 12 in recognition of Veterans Day and to show our veterans and military families they are seen, appreciated, and supported.

Get involved by changing out a light bulb to green on your porch or in your window, illuminate your business in green, and use the light to spark a conversation with a veteran.  Encourage them to share their story of service and share resources for veterans and military families with your neighbors, friends, and co-workers.  Create an account in the PsychArmor Training Portal to complete free training on military culture, suicide prevention, caregiver support, women veterans, and more!

Next week, between November 6 and November 10 we will be showcasing benefits for veterans and their families on social media.  These green light spotlights will be shared on Facebook, X, LinkedIn, Instagram and Threads.  Be sure to follow us here:

Facebook @MDVeterans 

X @MdVeterans  

Instagram @mdveteransinfo  

LinkedIn @mdveteransinfo

Threads @mdveteransinfo 

Learn more about Operation Green Light here.

MDVA Website

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

Saturday, November 11, 2023:

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

Vietnam Veterans Memorial - 2825 South Hanover Street, Baltimore, MD 21225

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

MDVA Cemetery & Memorials Program

For Community Veterans Day events, please scroll down to the Federal News section and the Community News section.

Charlotte Hall Veterans Home

Blair Underwood and MDVA Secretary Anthony Woods at the Women in Military Service for America Memorial, also known as the Women Veterans Memorial located at Arlington National Cemetery.  Mr. Underwood was honored for his work producing a Broadway show about the 6888th Postal Battalion.

The reunion for the USS Emmons was held in Baltimore this year and the reunion attendees donated a large amount of personal use items for military personnel and Veterans.  As many of those attending were not local residents, Roslyn Jones, MDVA Women Veterans/Inclusion Program Manager volunteered to take the donations to the Steven A. Cohen Military Family Clinic at Easterseals. Jamaal Ferguson, Outreach Coordinator at the Cohen Clinic accepted the donations.

Spotlight on Education

Harford County Community College: The Veterans SITREP (Situation Report) radio series provides a platform to connect veterans, families, friends, and support networks to address veterans’ issues and provides information about resources that will help veterans in their lives. Read More Here 

University of Maryland Eastern Shore: Veterans Resource Day on November 9th.

Morgan State University is hiring for Veteran related positions:

Veterans Resource Coordinator - https://morgan.peopleadmin.com/postings/6249 

Veterans Engagement Coordinator - https://morgan.peopleadmin.com/postings/6250 

Applicants must apply directly on our HR website. 

On November 4th, MSU is holding the 13th Annual Military Appreciation Day, including the game held in Hughes Stadium starting at 12:00 pm. Flier

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

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.

11/08/2023 - Risk Management Planning for a Successful 2024
11/09/2023 - How to Start a Business Without Access to Capital
11/14/2023 - Strategic Planning for Businesses
11/15/2023 - Black Female Founders Venture Capital Forum
11/16/2023 - Maryland's VSBE Subcontracting Protocols
11/28/2023 - An Introduction to Federal Government Small Business Certifications
11/30/2023 - Business Contracts 101

Check out the full listing of small business events online at

goMDsmallbiz.maryland.gov.

News from the Maryland Department of Natural Resources

Improvements Completed at Accessible Fishing Platform

The Maryland Department of Natural Resources has completed significant improvements to the fly-fishing platform at Morgan Run Natural Environment Area to enhance accessibility for Maryland’s anglers with disabilities. Read more.

Maryland State Tree Nursery Now Taking Orders for Spring 

The Maryland Department of Natural Resources announces that its online tree seedling catalog is now open and accepting orders for spring 2024 planting from the John S. Ayton State Forest Tree Nursery. Read more.

Youth, Veteran, and Military Waterfowl Hunting Days Set

Maryland’s youth hunters, veterans, and military personnel will be afforded a great opportunity to experience the tradition of waterfowl hunting on two special hunt days: Nov. 4, 2023 and Feb. 3, 2024. Qualified hunters may hunt ducks, geese, and coots on both public and private land on these two days. Read more.

Natural Resources Police Toy Drive Returns for 2023 Holidays

The Maryland Department of Natural Resources Police is conducting its annual “Boatload of Toys” drive at several locations. Natural Resources Police officers are collecting donations of new, unopened toys for children in need. The program is part of the national United States Marine Corps Toys for Tots initiative. Drop-off locations will be located around the state, with a new online option. Read more. 

Federal News

Veterans Day originated at the end of World War I

Find Veterans Day events around the country

The difference between Veterans Day and Memorial Day

VA Ending COVID Claims Delays

PTSD Bytes: Trauma in the LGBTQ+ community

How Veterans can cope with holiday loneliness

Help prevent Veteran suicide all year round

Live Whole Health #192: Take a breath

Live Whole Health #193: You're Grounded!

Military Family Advisory Network wants to hear from Veterans

Shallow Subsidy helps homeless and at-risk Veterans struggling with housing costs

Nov. 9th: NAMI and VA Veterans Healthcare Administration's Caregiver Support Program

Department of Defense to require fit testing for hearing protection, Health.mil article

How to request a VA home loan Certificate of Eligibility

VA Canteen Service offers free breakfast in honor of Veterans Day

2023 Veterans Day retail discounts, free meals and other offers

Veterans Day Ceremonies in Maryland noted on VA website:

Maryland

Nov. 3, 2023, 11 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. ET: Veterans Celebration – Greenbelt, MD 

Nov. 5, 2023, 1:00 to 3:00 p.m. ET: Veterans Day Parade – Downtown Brunswick, MD

Nov. 10, 2023, 12:00 to 1:30 p.m. ET: Veterans Day Parade – Baltimore, MD

Nov. 10-11, 2023, 12:00 to 10:00 p.m. ET: Veterans Day Beer Bash – Baltimore, MD

Nov. 11, 2023, 8:30 a.m. ET: Veterans Day Parade – Rock Hall, MD

Nov. 11, 2023, 10:00 a.m. ET: Veterans Day Parade-Wreath Laying – Leonardtown, MD

Nov. 11, 2023, 11:00 a.m. ET: Veterans Day Observance – University Park, MD

Nov. 11, 2023, 11:00 a.m. ET: Veterans Day Observance – Gaithersburg, MD

Nov. 11, 2023, 11:00 a.m. ET: Veterans Day Ceremony – Rockville, MD

VA is hosting a listening session to gather feedback on their plan to assess the relationship between certain medical conditions and military environmental exposures. Additionally, VA will solicit input for future reviews during this listening session. Join VA’s session on Webex on November 7, 2023, from 1:30 - to 3:00 p.m. ET. Register to listen or provide feedback by November 3 at: https://veteransaffairs.webex.com/weblink/register/r11a011e8ad468c564c6a613e929a67c7.

Learn more about this listening session at:

https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2023/10/24/2023-23395/announcement-of-public-listening-session-to-inform-vas-plan-to-assess-the-current-scientific

The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), Readjustment Counseling Service (RCS), is conducting a survey to gauge awareness and understanding of the agency’s services provided at Vet Centers. Responses to this survey will be anonymous and used to assess levels of awareness of Vet Centers and understand what barriers—if any—there are in seeking services. Please use the link below to complete the survey.

https://survey.voice.va.gov/?acDk8c-RCS-Awareness

Virtual Native American Heritage Month Symposium

This symposium will honor Native American Veterans by remembering their legacy and service to our country, and will educate, inform, and empower Native American Veterans and service members, as well as their family members, caregivers, survivors, and advocates about valuable VA resources.  The symposium will provide information on VA benefits, Social Security Administration (SSA) benefits, Tribal Health Services, disability claims - including a tutorial, Vet Centers, and the Sergeant First Class (SFC) Heath Robinson Honoring our Promise to Address Comprehensive Toxics (PACT) Act.  Feel free to join and to share the invite information with any interested party.

Date:  Wednesday, November 15, 2023

Time:  1:00 - 3:00pm (ET)        

Quick Join:  Click Here to Join

Link to Join:  https://veteransaffairs.webex.com/veteransaffairs/j.php?MTID=mfb62116063b29c96167be2351f1aed1e

Phone:  1-404-397-1596  Toll-free Number,  Access Code:  2763 969 4454

Audience:  Native American Veterans, Service members, Family Members, Caregivers, Survivors, VA Staff, Veteran Advocates, National Association of County Veteran Service Officers (NACVSO), National Association State Department of Veterans Affairs (NASDVA) and Veteran Service Organizations (VSO).

Please send any questions to the OTED National Outreach Mailbox.

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 Calendar

November 3, 2023

Defense, Technology & Intelligence Job Fair, Ripkin Stadium, Aberdeen

November 4, 2023

Baltimore Station Fundraiser: Stars, Stripes & Chow, Oriole Park at Camden Yard, Baltimore

Volunteer Opportunity: World War II Memorial Clean-up, Annapolis

Veterans Claims Clinic & Resource Fair, hosted by Cambridge Elks Lodge #1272, Cambridge

November 5, 2023

Veterans Day Parade, Brunswick

November 7, 2023

BWI Thurgood Marshall Airport Celebrates Our Veterans, Linthicum

November 8, 2023

PACT Act Veterans Claims Clinic & VA Health Care Enrollment Fair, Cambridge

PTSD 911, A Documentary Film, Chesapeake College, Wye Mills

Beyond Strangers, Frederick Community College, Frederick

Prince George's Veterans Appreciation Luncheon, Greenbelt

Veterans Resource Fair 2023, Silver Spring 

November 9, 2023

Veterans Resource Day, University of Maryland Eastern Shore

We Bear Witness, A virtual Veterans Day event

Ft. George G. Meade Veterans Day Ceremony, Ft. Meade

Job Zone Job Fair, Joint Base Andrews

November 9 - 14, 2023

MCVET Virtual Run/Walk

November 10 -12, 2023

Celebrating Veterans Day, National Harbor/Spirit Park

November 10, 2023

Women Veteran Meet & Greet, Leonardtown

We Honor Veterans Breakfast, Westminster

University of Maryland Global Campus Veterans Day Ceremony

Veterans Appreciation and Information Event, Landover

Free Flu Vaccinations for Veterans & their families, American Legion Post 64, Salisbury (also on the 11th at American Legion Post 6 in Seaford, DE)

TidalHealth Nanticoke Flag Wall Dedication, Seaford, DE

November 11, 2023

Veterans Day Showcase, Reveille Grounds Grand Opening, Baltimore Flier

Marine Corps 248th Birthday Celebration hosted by Montford Point Marine Association, Baltimore Chapter 17, War Memorial Building, Baltimore

Veterans Day Program, City of Annapolis

Helmets off to Heroes High Performance Driving Event, Summit Point, WV

Veterans Day Observance, Bethesda

Veterans Day Appreciation Dinner & Edible Silent Auction, Camp Springs

Military & First Responder Invitation to Driving Crazy Clinic, Wellspring of Life Farm, Monkton

Stem Book Family Festival, sponsored by Blue Star Families and others, Washington, DC

Linthicum Veterans Memorial, 11:00 am, Corner of Camp Meade and Maple Roads, Linthicum

November 12, 2023

Baltimore County Veterans Celebration & Resource Fair, Towson University

Howard County Veterans Day Parade and Ceremony, Columbia

Jewish War Veterans Post 692 Veterans Day Program, Bender Jewish Community Center, 2:30 pm, Rockville

November 13, 2023

Golden Corral Military Appreciation Night

November 15, 2023

VA Wellness Wednesday Financial Education, online

November 18, 2023

Family Game Day hosted by the Cohen Military Family Clinic at Easterseals, Silver Spring

VA Benefits Fair, American Legion Post 41, Silver Spring

Military Family Holiday Luncheon, American Legion Cummings-Belhke Post 226, Edgewater

The Mission Continues Volunteer Opportunity: Meditative Gardens and Fun at Martha's Place, Baltimore

Women Veterans Meet & Greet, Frederick

November 28, 2023

Calvert County Veterans Resource Day, Chesapeake Beach

Community News

On Saturday, 11 November 2023 at 1:00 p.m., VFW Post 304 and The Legacy of Honor Project will be commemorating the 105^th Anniversary of the end of World War I with a wreath laying ceremony at the gravesite of Pv.t Emil J. Snyder at St. Mary’s Cemetery in the 800 block of West Street, Annapolis. Parking is available across the street at Maryland Hall, Lots A and B only. If any organization would like to place flowers or a wreath during the ceremony, please contact denise@thelegacyofhonor.com or 443-510-9330. Flier for More Information

Free Adaptive Tennis Programs at JTCC including Special Olympics Tennis, Para Standing Tennis, Veterans Tennis Corps and a special Veterans Tennis Celebration on Thursday, November 9, 2023.  Registration Here   Veterans Day Tennis Celebration

Veterans Tennis Corps Flier

Thanksgiving Basket Giveaway, sponsored by Blue Star Families and Navy Federal Credit Union

Blue Star Families Maryland Coffee Connections, multiple locations

At ServingTogether we provide local veteran resources, information and services to Active Duty service members, Veterans, Family members and Caregiver in the DMV region. We do this through Coordinated care, Community education and our Collaborative. Below you will find some information on all three approaches of care and outreach. Read More Here

News from Community Building Art Works:

We Bear Witness: A Virtual Veterans Day Event -  November 9th (Virtual)

Join us for a virtual gathering featuring the voices of veterans as we honor Veterans Day on Thursday, November 9th at 7pm EST. This Free event will feature readings from Veterans, a reflection on the meaning of belonging, and the premiere of a short documentary film celebrating our diverse community. Register today at https://WeBearWitnessVeteransDayEvent.eventbrite.com.

More Than One Story - Next Virtual Orientation November 14th!

Our monthly program for Women and Non-Binary Military has begun, but if you are still interested in participating, it's not too late. Interested individuals must attend an upcoming orientation to participate. Visit www.cbaw.org/mtos for more details.

Visit www.cbaw.org to learn more about Community Building Art Works. For more information, email info@cbaw.org.

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.