Message from Secretary Anthony Woods

Dear Friends, Happy Women's History Month! I am proud that Maryland is taking steps to elevate and honor the incredible women who have served and continue to serve our great state and the nation. On March 9th, Maryland will for the first time, commemorate “6888th Central Postal Directory Battalion Day” in honor of the extraordinary service of the all-female postal battalion whose valiant efforts significantly impacted the war effort during WWII. The Moore-Miller Administration, recognizing the tremendous skills veterans have to offer, has appointed two remarkable women to serve as leaders in the cabinet. Dr. Laura Herrera-Scott, an Army combat veteran, serves as Secretary of the Maryland Department of Health. Major General Janeen Birckhead is the Adjutant General of the Maryland National Guard and former Deputy Commandant for Reserve Affairs at the U.S. Army War College. General Birckhead has made exceptional contributions to empowering women service members. Here at the MDVA, Roslyn Jones, an Army combat veteran, leads our Women Veterans Inclusion Program. She collaborates with federal, state, and local agencies and nonprofits on behalf of women, minority, and underserved veteran populations to raise awareness of benefits, resources, programs, and services available to the military-connected community. Maryland is fortunate to have a rich history of women veterans and service members who have contributed so much in service to the nation from Secretary Herrera-Scott and MG Birckhead to Roslyn Jones and many of you! Thank you all for your service. Best, Tony

If you have difficulty with the registration link, please email Roslyn Jones, Women Veteran/Inclusion Program Manager to register: roslyn.jones1@maryland.gov

MDVA Website

MDVA Deputy Secretary Ross Cohen speaks with Lt. Governor Aruna Miller at the Veterans Caucus breakfast hosted by Governor Moore at Government House.

Photo courtesy of the Executive Office of the Governor.

Secretary Woods met with Latisha Bellamy, who is the Executive Assistant to the Maryland Department of Human Services Secretary Rafael Lopez and Principal Deputy Secretary Camitra White.  Secretary Woods and Latisha Bellamy discussed her experience as a military mom.  Ms. Bellamy will soon have two children serving in the United States Marine Corps.

In this photo are Department of Public Safety & Correctional Services (DPSCS) Commissioner J. Phillip Morgan and Maryland Veterans Commission Chairman KT Tyler.  Chairman Tyler attended a DPSCS presentation on services for incarcerated Veterans.

Governor Moore’s Statement on Proposed Cyber Wing for Maryland Air National Guard

Governor Wes Moore released the following statement regarding the proposed cyber wing for the Maryland Air National Guard: “Maryland is home to the nation’s most advanced cyber assets, and the expansion of the National Guard’s mission is further testament to the vital work our men and women do for our national security as our country prepares to confront future challenges and adversaries.  The Maryland Air National Guard has flown A-10s since 1979, making it one of the most experienced A-10 units in the Air Force. Through innovative service, the men and women of the 175th Wing have more than 60,000 hours of combined flying experience, 12,000 hours of combat flying experience, and provide support for combat airpower, cyber warfare capacity, partner nations, home communities and the State of Maryland. Any new cyber wing must be fully resourced in order to build the facilities and train personnel. In partnership with our congressional delegation, we are advocating vigorously to maintain Maryland's flying mission, both in the interest of national security and the hundreds of jobs and families that will be affected by this transition. We are disappointed to learn of the Air Force's decision to hurriedly retire the A-10 mission across the nation, including the mission at Martin State, without a plan to retain experienced pilots and maintainers or to replace older systems with advanced aircraft. We are committed to working with our federal partners at the White House and the Pentagon to acquire another flying mission in Maryland this year. As Maryland's A-10s prepare to deploy later this month to the U.S. Central Command theater of operations in the Middle East, we thank our dedicated service members for their skill, readiness, and valiant service to fulfill their mission—at home and abroad."

Governor Moore speaks with the members of the Veterans Caucus this week at Government House.

Photo courtesy of the Executive Office of the Governor.

The Governor's Office of Small, Minority & Women Business Affairs invites you to join us for our in-person procurement connections workshop:

Who should attend?  Small business owners, including firms owned and operated by minorities, women, and veterans, interested in doing business in the state contracting arena as a prime contractor or subcontractor.

When:

Wednesday, March 20, 2024 9:30 a.m. 

Check in and refreshments 10:00 a.m. -

Program / Keynote Address / Citation Ceremony 11:15 a.m. 

Open networking with agency buyers

Where:

10440 Little Patuxent Parkway 9th Floor Columbia, Maryland 21044 (in the Merriweather District)

Register

Spotlight on Education: University of Maryland Global Campus:

Register

Consumer Alert: Beware of Scam Election Calls

The Maryland Attorney General’s Office is offering information to help people detect and avoid scam election calls.

Election call scams are a serious threat to the fairness and trustworthiness of elections, even posing a substantial threat to democracy itself. These scams usually involve robocalls that impersonate real political campaigns or candidates. The goal of these calls is to deceive you, manipulate your choices, and potentially disrupt the entire voting process. Any call that directs you NOT to exercise your right to vote is a scam.  

Robocalls are often from scammers who want to steal your money or your identity, but election call scams are often trying to persuade you to perform, or not perform, a certain action. One of the most appalling scams occurs when fraudsters try to convince you to not exercise your right to vote. If you answer a phone call and hear a celebrity’s or politician’s recorded voice, keep in mind that this voice could have been faked by artificial intelligence (AI) and may not be who you think it is.  Read More Here

News from the Maryland Department of Natural Resources:

Maple Syrup Festival Gets Cooking at Cunningham Falls 

The Maryland Department of Natural Resources invites everyone to come celebrate the annual Maple Syrup Festival at Cunningham Falls State Park, the weekends of March 9-10 and March 16-17. Live bluegrass music will fill the air as Maryland-made maple syrup is made and served. Read more

Map Identifies Areas That Could Be Affected by Sea Level Rise

A state mapping project coordinated by the Maryland Department of Natural Resources provides a look ahead at what areas could become flooded or have potential as beneficial wetlands in the future. Read more.

Number of Wildfires, Acreage Burned Increased in 2023

The number of wildfires and the acreage of land burned by wildfires in Maryland last year significantly outpaced the 10-year average, according to the Maryland Forest Service’s Annual Wildland Fire Report. The report, which is being released this month, covers data related to wildfires on 3.2 million acres of land overseen by the Maryland Forest Service. Read more.

Maryland Park Service is recruiting for three long-term contractual Park Technician Trainee positions that will serve as crew members for the Veteran Conservation Corps Program at Merkle Natural Resources Management Area. The closing date for this recruitment is March 11, 2024.  LTC Park Technician Trainee - VCC Program The mission of the Veterans Conservation Corps (VCC) is to empower veterans and engage them in conservation service work on public lands. The VCC’s work in State Parks uses veterans’ unique background, diverse job skills and service ethic to address pressing conservation needs on public lands. The focus of the VCC is to develop veterans professionally through training and on the job experience within the Maryland Park Service and the Department of Natural Resources. These are full-time, paid, year-round contractual positions.

2024 Session of the Maryland General Assembly has Convened

The Maryland General Assembly is currently meeting in Annapolis for the 2024 Legislative Session.  As a service to the veteran community, information on proposed legislation of possible interest to veterans is provided below:

2024 Legislative Information

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

Maryland General Assembly Website

Federal News

What to do if a Veteran you served with is talking about suicide

Veterans exposed to toxins and other hazards during service now eligible for VA health care

Video: Health Care Expanded to All Veterans Exposed to Toxins

PACT Act Performance Dashboard

How human trafficking is hitting homeless Veterans

Your feedback helps VA provide services for homeless Veterans

Misconceptions about PTSD: Part two

Free mental health app for Veterans and their families

DAV has published, Women Veterans: The Journey to Mental Wellness

VA Women Veterans Fireside Chat Webinar Series in March

Honoring the Women Airforce Service Pilots (WASP) of World War II

Honoring Veterans: Navy Veteran Janie L. Mines

Innovations in VA cervical cancer treatment services

What is an eating disorder?

Live Whole Health: Mindfulness for Pain

Live Whole Health #210: Reeling in heart health with a salmon wrap

Live Whole Health #211: Exploring the full spectrum of yoga

Fresh Focus podcasts - National Nutrition Month

Digital Defense: Empowering Veterans Against Smishing Threats

Protect yourself this tax season: Tips for Veterans to avoid scams

From camouflage to cargo pants: Continuing to serve through Peace Corps

Registration for 2024 National Veterans Wheelchair Games is now open

Veterans Legacy Grants Program seeks proposals

Veteran and Military Spouse Talent Engagement Program - Upcoming Hiring Events

Fraudsters know that a veteran’s patriotism can be an open door to their heart and wallet. They approach veterans with appeals to military service brotherhood.  

Remember to: 

• Hang up on suspicious calls from “government officials” calling about a problem with your Social Security number or account, and
• NEVER make payments with gift cards, wire transfers, or by mailing cash.

Report Social Security scams to OIG.SSA.GOV and other scams to reportfraud.ftc.gov. 

Join us LIVE on March 23rd from 1-2 PM ET for a Q&A focused on Women Veterans. You can ask questions, on this page, about Women’s Health and Benefits Services. You can ask questions to the following people:

» PO3 Ginger Miller - Founder and CEO, Women Veterans Interactive

» 1SG Zelda Davis - Management Analyst, VA

» CPO Missina Schallus - Communications Manager, Center for Women Veterans, VA

» SPC Crystal Ellington - Communications Director, Minority Veterans of America

» PO3 Melissa A. Washington - CEO & Founder, Women Veterans Alliance

» Patty Hayes, Ph.D. - Chief Officer, Women's Health, VA

» SSgt Lourdes Tiglao - Executive Director, Center for Women Veterans, VA

» SP5 Nicole Neri - Veteran Employment Coordinator, DOL

» Leah Christensen - Caregiver Support Program, VHA

The forum will be held on Microsoft Teams. Registration is not required. 
Microsoft Teams meeting 

Join on your computer, mobile app or room device 
Click here to join the meeting 

Meeting ID: 275 689 191 489  Passcode: W93nXj 
Download Teams | Join on the web

Or call in (audio only) 
+1 872-701-0185,,120434950#   

Phone Conference ID: 120 434 950#

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

March 8, 2024

Women Win Within Expo, Morgan State University

March 9, 2024

March 9th Women's History Month 6888th Day in Maryland, Owings Mills

Blue Star Families Beach Cleanup, Pasadena

March 13, 2024

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

Ft. Meade Technical Job Fair, Ft. Meade

March 14, 2023

2024 Military/Veteran Resource Expo, Clinton

March 16, 2024

Suicide Awareness Training, American Legion Post 175, Severna Park, Registration

DAV Presents "Rosie" Trailblazers, Bowie

March 19, 2024

Chick-fil-A Military Appreciation Day, Annapolis & Edgewater

March 20, 2024

American Legion Tri-County Veterans Resource Day, La Plata

Ready, Set, Grow Procurement Connections Workshop, Columbia

March 21, 2024

Maryland's Commitment to Veterans Webinar: Postvention is Prevention: Support for Veteran Families of Attempt Survivors, Virtual

March 23, 2024

Women Veterans candle-making workshop sponsored by Second Chance, Hollywood, Register

March 26, 2024

Subcontracting in Maryland's MBE Program, Virtual

March 28, 2024

Navigating eMaryland Marketplace Advantage (eMMA), Virtual

March 29, 2024

National Vietnam War Veterans Day, Salisbury

Vietnam War Veterans Day, American Legion Post 39, Bel Air

March 30, 2024

Lifeline Equine Therapy Services Grief & Loss Workshop, Gaithersburg

April 4, 2024

Military Officer Job Fair, Greenbelt

April 6, 2024

Health & Wellness Fair, Mt. Airy

April 7, 2024

Gilchrist's 6th Annual Welcome Home Vietnam Veterans Day, Windsor Mill

Community News

NAMI Connection Veterans Support Group meets the first Monday of the month, Virtual

Upcoming DMV Hiring Events

Veterans Tennis Corps at JTCC: More Information

Free Tennis Classes on Thursdays, College Park, Register

Saturday Veterans Practice & Play, Register

Save the Date: September 21-22, Tennis Thanks the Troops Veterans Tennis Tournament

Community Yoga Class

WHERE: Chesapeake College (Wye Mills, MD)

WHEN: Wednesday March 13, 2024 at 6PM

WHO: ANYBODY

HOW MUCH: FREE

Feel free to invite friends/ family/ significant others

This can be your 1st EVER Yoga Class, Beginner Friendly. This is a monthly event being offered to the community thru a partnership between Yoga Rescue/ Chesapeake College/ and the Lucas Nagel Memorial Foundation. Flier

News from Community Building Art Works

Moving Your Story Along - Saturday, March 23 at 12pm EST (Virtual)

How do we keep our stories from stalling? In this class with author of Monstrilio, Gerardo Sámano Córdova, we’ll play with different strategies that will spark our stories into motion. A limited number of FREE tickets for Veterans, Service Members, and Healthcare workers are available on a first come, first served basis. This workshop will be recorded and a link to the recording will be e-mailed to those who registered. Register at https://CBAW_GSC.eventbrite.com.

More Than One Story - Next Virtual Orientation April 9th

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.

- Friday, March 8, from 10:00 AM to 11:30 AM

- Saturday, April 6, from 11:00 AM to 12:30 PM

- Friday, May 3, from 10:00 AM to 11:30 AM

Calendar

Also check out the Women Veterans Candle Making Workshop on March 21st, Register Here

Blue Star Families Upcoming Events:

Volunteer for Beach Cleanup in Pasadena, 3/9, 4/13 and 5/11

Blue Star Families Baltimore Coffee Connections

March Coffee Connections - Nourish the Service

 11 am - 12.30 pm

12 March  2024 - Aberdeen, MD - Aberdeen Proving Ground

13 March  2024 - California, MD - NAS Patuxent River

14 March  2024 - Hanover, MD - Fort Meade

15 March  2024 - Annapolis, MD - Naval Academy

Service Dog Yoga with Warrior Canine Connection and Alli Houseworth Yoga + Wellness

Platoon 22 Veteran Service Center, Frederick, MD

Monday, April 15, 12pm-1pm

Free but registration is required. Email mbtr@warriorcanineconnection.org to RSVP

Register

Future Events: Save the Date

April 11, 2024: Baltimore Station Fundraiser - Take a Swing for Recovery, Baltimore

April 12, 2024: Veteran-Owned Small Business Certification Workshop, Cambridge

April 23, 2024: UMGC 2024 Military and Veteran MilVet Networking Event, Adelphi

April 25, 2024: Career Transition Showcase, Hanover

April 30, 2024: Annapolis Vet Center Open House, Annapolis

May 5, 2024: 3rd Annual Veterans Celebration of Carroll County, Westminster

May 17, 2024: Armed Forces Day Veterans Salute, Annapolis

July 20, 2024: Frederick County Veterans Appreciation Day, Frederick

August 9 and 11, 2024: Peaceful Warriors: Yoga Practices for Healing Trauma in Military and First Responder Communities, Frederick

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.