Message from Secretary Anthony Woods:

Veterans Day was a great opportunity to show our appreciation to those who have served and we're thankful to all of you who organized events all across the state. To ensure that our gratitude goes beyond words, Governor Moore signed two executive orders and helped us launch a new initiative focused on Veteran and Military Families. The first executive order reaffirmed Maryland's commitment to the Governor's Challenge to End Suicide Among Service Members, Veterans, and their Families and the second established a commission to guide the creation of a Global War on Terrorism memorial. Our new initiative, Maryland Joins Forces aims to address the challenges facing veteran and military families with five key focus areas: employment, education, food and housing insecurity, health and wellness, and volunteer service. We will be bringing together partners from government, the private sector, and nonprofit sectors to make progress for the broader military connected community and look forward to working with many of you in the months and years ahead.  Sincerely, Tony

MDVA Website

MDVA Secretary Anthony Woods participated in the Veterans Day ceremony held at the Bender Jewish Community Center in Rockville. Jewish War Veterans Post 692 hosted the event. Also in the photo are: Mike Glick, Dave Brog, Barry Lichinsky, Rabbi Soussan and Sheldon Goldberg.

MDVA Secretary Anthony Woods and Lt. Governor Aruna Miller toured Ft. George G. Meade recently.  Garrison Commander Colonel Michael A. Sapp and Command Sergeant Major Andre L. Welch provided an extensive briefing on Ft. Meade and the tenant organizations.  Ft. Meade is considered the number one employer in Maryland with tremendous economic impact on the region and the state.

Secretary Woods speaks at the Operation Homefront event held at the B&O Railroad Museum.

Veterans Day was observed with a ceremony at Charlotte Hall Veterans Home.

From left to right:  Commissioner LTC Glynn E. Parker, USA (RET), Commissioner Katie Smith,   COL John J. Lombardi, USA (RET), State Veterans Home Program Director - MDVA, Sonia Bailey Gibson, Charlotte Hall Veterans Home Administrator - Pruitt Health, and Commissioner LTC Rod Azama, USA (RET). 

Volunteers from Walden University participated in a service project at the Garrison Forest Veterans Cemetery.  They mulched the property, painted fences, painted parking lot lines and various other projects, just before Veterans Day.  Thank you to the Walden University volunteers for this generous donation of their time and talents!

Thank you to all who participated in Operation Green Light showing your support for Veterans. Check out more photos of the illuminations on the MDVA Facebook page.

Dana Burl, Director and Denise Nooe, Deputy Director of the MDVA Communications, Outreach and Advocacy Program volunteered at the Operation Homefront event which supported active duty service members, Maryland National Guard members and their families.

Governor Wes Moore hosted a breakfast for Veterans at Government House last week and signed two Executive Orders, one creating a commission to establish a Memorial to Veterans of the Global War on Terrorism and another reaffirming the state's commitment to reduce suicide among Veterans, active duty service members and military connected families.

Read More Here

Photo courtesy of the Executive Office of the Governor

Governor Moore greeted military families at the Operation Homefront event in Baltimore.

Photo courtesy of the Executive Office of the Governor

Maryland has programs to assist Veteran-owned businesses and businesses that hire Veterans.

Check Out the Programs Here

Governor Moore participated in the Vehicles for Change ceremony where ten cars were awarded to ten area Veterans.  Shown with the Governor is Marty Schwartz, President of Vehicles for Change.

Photo courtesy of the Executive Office of the Governor

News from the Veterans Conservation Corps Program

Maryland Park Service Director Angela Crenshaw is pleased to announce the recruitment for a long-term contractual Park Technician I that will serve as the crew leader for the Veteran Conservation Corps Program at Merkle Natural Resources Management Area. The closing date for this recruitment is November 22, 2023. 

Please see the link below to the recruitment announcement in JobAps, and share this message with your coworkers who do not have direct access to e-mail.

LTC Park Technician I - Veteran Conservation Corps Crew Leader

Maryland Attorney General Anthony Brown was the keynote speaker on Veterans Day at the WWII Memorial in Annapolis.  The WWII Memorial is managed by MDVA.

Maryland Durable Medical Equipment Reuse

The Maryland Department of Aging is providing durable medical equipment (DME) to Marylanders with any illness, injury, or disability, regardless of age, at no cost. All equipment is collected via donation and is sanitized, repaired, and redistributed to Marylanders in need. Since the DME Re-Use program began in 2020, more than 6,400 pieces of medical equipment, including wheelchairs, home hospital beds, shower chairs, walkers, and high tech assistive devices, like mechanical lifts and power scooters, have been gifted to residents. All equipment is provided free of charge regardless of age, disability, or injury, to Marylanders who are uninsured or whose insurance has delayed or denied coverage. For More Information

Governor Wes Moore and Lt. Governor Aruna Miller visited the Platoon Veterans Service Center in  Frederick. Secretary Woods also attended, but is not shown in this photo.  Read more here

Photo courtesy of the Executive Office of the Governor

Maryland State Delegate Dana Jones organized and led a fall cleanup at the World War II Memorial in Annapolis.

The Historic Garrison Headquarters building, also known as Hodges Hall at Ft. George G. Meade was illuminated for Operation Green Light.

Photo courtesy of Ft. George G. Meade

Federal News

All WWII Veterans are now eligible for no-cost VA health care and nursing home services

VA covers cost of Parkinson's care for family members of Veterans who served at Camp Lejeune

One Million Strong: VA's Million Veteran Program makes history

Insights from the National Veteran Suicide Prevention Report

988 Crisis Line: 1 Million Veterans, Service Members Called in a Year, Health.mil article

How VA helps Veterans with food security and housing

Updated COVID-19 vaccines recommended

Live Whole Health #194: It's a practice

Live Whole Health #195: Do the twist!

Yoga and Meditation Training with Warriors At Ease

National Cemetery Administration doubles the number of Veterans pages in the Veterans Legacy Memorial

Virtual walking tour of the Vietnam Veteran Memorial grounds

Transitioning service members, Veterans and Caregivers receive a free year of Linked-In Premium

VA Summer Sports Clinic will open for registration on Dec. 1

Washington Capital's Biscuit Joins Walter Reed Facility Dog Team

VA Maryland Health Care System - Donations for hospitalized Veterans during the holiday season, Make a donation

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.

Baltimore County held a well attended Veterans Day event which included claims assistance and a resource fair on November 12th.  In this photo are Jason Marshall, Regional Director of Serving Together, Secretary Woods and Jeff Bonner, the Chair of the Baltimore County Veterans Commission. Mr. Marshall was recognized by the Baltimore County Executive for his "Outstanding Service and Support to Baltimore County Veterans".

Community Calendar

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

Adaptive Fishing event for Veterans, Halethorpe

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

December 8, 2023

Ready, Set, GROW! Procurement Connections Workshop, Crownsville

November 30, 2023

Army Alliance Annual Breakfast Meeting, Edgewood

December 10, 2023

Jewish War Veterans Post 167 Hanukkah Party, at VFW Post 521, 214 Tollgate Road, Owings Mills. For more information

December 14, 2023

Maryland Commitment to Veterans December Workshop: Advancing Mental Health: Practices in Real Resilience

Community News

Mission Beelieve offers a virtual Introduction to Beekeeping Class - Registration

News from Community Building Art Works

Holidays can be difficult and stressful for some. Please know that Community Building Art Works programs are here, and you can join our virtual programs from anywhere.

Visual Art Programs -  Every Wednesday at 7pm EST (Virtual)

Every Wednesday, join our facilitators for an evening of art making. Oftentimes, we view art making as a singular experience. Communicating through visual expression often starts at the planning and early stages. In this workshop we will be nurturing this practice. One Wed. November 22nd, join our Open Studio Session where you can hang out in a collaborative group setting and bring anything you want to work on, in any medium. To register and learn about other visual art programs, please visit www.cbaw.org/events.

Creative Writing with Seema Reza -  Every Friday at 12pm EST (Virtual)

No experience required! If you can think, you can write. In this creative writing workshop, we'll consider writing as a tool for communication, expression, and relief from holding it all together. Join us any Friday afternoon. Visit www.cbaw.org/events.

More Than One Story - Next Virtual Orientation December 12th

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.

Maryland Veterans Commissioner Elaine May Stem presented Governor Moore's Veterans Day Proclamation at Memorial Park in Frederick, MD.  The event was hosted by American Legion Post 11.

Maryland Veterans Commissioner Robert Hanson presents the Governor's Veterans Day Proclamation to Grasonville Elementary School Principal Becky Tubman.  Also joining them in the photo is a student who attends the school.

Maryland Veterans Commission Chairman KT Tyler attended the Veterans Day ceremony at the Residences at Vantage Point in Columbia and spoke to the residents about the importance of Veterans Day.

On Friday, November 10th, Maryland Veterans Commission Vice Chairman Mike Moore was honored to present a Veterans Day Proclamation from Gov. Wes Moore to the residents of Wilshire Estates Retirement Residence, located in Silver Spring, MD. During the ceremony, Commissioner Moore also presented a congratulatory letter from MDVA Secretary Anthony Woods to WWII veteran Jerome Wilner, who turned 100 on May 29th. Former 1st Lieutenant Wilner served in WWII as a Bombadier with the 68th Bomb Squadron, 44th Bomb Group, 8th Air Force, U.S. Army Air Force from 1943 until 1946. He flew 35 combat missions over Europe in  B-24 Liberator. 

1st Lieutenant Wilner is pictured between former U.S. Marine Sergeant Bernie Zempolich, who served during the Korean War and Commissioner Moore.

Easterseals services for military families include outpatient mental healthcare, employment support, help for homeless veterans, and family respite programs. Pictured are CEO Jon Horowitch; Vice President of Veteran Employment, Tricia M. Tyler; veterans advocate and former member of the Maryland Veterans Commission, Stan Seidel; and clinical psychologist Dr. Aaron Banas, of the Easterseals Steven A. Cohen Military Family Clinic.

On Sunday November 12, 2023, Maryland Veterans Commissioner CAPT (Ret) Jerome D. Davis, SC, USN attended the Northwood-Appold United Methodist Church in Baltimore, Maryland Veterans Day Celebration and Service.  The guest speaker for the celebration was CAPT (Ret) Cynthia Miller, USN.  Members of the Naval Sea Cadets of Annapolis, Maryland provided the Color Guard.  After the service there was a reception where Veteran Service Organizations and Community Resource Providers provided support services for Veterans and guests attending the celebration.  

On Friday November 10, 2023, Maryland Veterans Commissioner CAPT (Ret) Jerome D. Davis, SC, USN along with members from VFW Post 9619 in Morningside, Maryland and members from the Washington, DC Chapter of the National Naval Officers Association conducted their Annual Veterans Day visited with patients at the Washington, DC Veterans Medical Center.  The members attending provided over $5,000 in winter clothing to the patients at the VA Hospital, as well as conducting their famous Bingo Game for gifts with residents in the Psychiatric Ward.

Commissioner Robert Hanson also attended the Veterans Day ceremony at Ocean Pines.  The Joint Honor Guard included members from local American Legion Posts and the Marine Corps League.

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.