Message from Secretary Anthony Woods:

Dear Friends, Last week, Deputy Secretary Cohen and I kicked off our annual employee town hall series starting with the Crownsville State Veterans Cemetery. These forums provide an opportunity to engage with all of our employees and hear their suggestions on ways we can operate more effectively as a Department.  I am continually inspired by the dedication, passion, and creativity that our team brings to our mission of serving Maryland’s veterans and their families. Their commitment to serving our community is evident in the innovative solutions they offered to enhance our department's effectiveness and impact. After the discussions, we rolled up our sleeves and joined in landscaping and removing weeds from around headstones, a small way to show our shared commitment to honoring those who have served. Our team is committed to serving Maryland’s veterans and their families, and I am inspired every day to serve right alongside them. Best, Tony

Secretary Woods and Deputy Secretary Cohen recently held an employee Town Hall meeting and worked with the staff at Crownsville Veterans Cemetery.  In the first photo, Brandon Giovannini, Grounds Supervisor and Secretary Woods toured the cemetery in the Gator vehicle and discussed the work necessary to maintain the grounds. In the second photo, Deputy Secretary Cohen shows off his skill at weed-whacking.  In the final photo, Secretary Woods presents a Secretary's Citation to Rodney Dickerson for his exemplary work. Rodney was able to save the department and taxpayers $4,000 by repairing the sprinklers/irrigation system himself, instead of scheduling an expensive service call.

DVMF website

The International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAMAW) Union conducted training in St. Mary's County this month.  The training included a volunteer opportunity at Charlotte Hall Veterans Home. Twenty-five volunteers spent four hours painting the helicopter landing pad and facility curbing which indicates the emergency drop off and pick up locations. This important work helped support the Charlotte Hall staff efforts to keep the residents safe and healthy.  Thank you to the IAMAW members!   Video

Veterans Services Specialist Program veteran liaisons in state government met Wednesday at Copper Compass, a veteran owned business in Charles County for a listening session on improving services to veterans and military families in Southern Maryland.  Members of the Calvert County Veterans Commission, Charles County Veterans Affairs Commission, and St. Mary's Chamber of Commerce were also in attendance.  The speaker in the photo is Herb Banks, US Navy (RET) and co-owner of Copper Compass.  He shared with attendees how his military service and training helped him transition to become a small business entrepreneur.

Deputy Secretary Ross Cohen bids farewell to the outgoing Ft. Detrick Garrison Commander, Colonel Ned Marsh at the Change of Command ceremony this week.  The incoming Commander is Colonel Christopher Chung (not shown).

Consumer Alert from the Maryland Attorney General

Attorney General Anthony G. Brown is alerting Marylanders about a data breach experienced in February 2024 by Change Healthcare, the nation’s biggest electronic data clearinghouse. The clearinghouse, a unit of UnitedHealth, is used by tens of thousands of doctor’s offices, hospitals, pharmacies, and insurers to verify insurance, confirm pre-authorization of procedures or services, exchange insurance claim data, and perform other administrative tasks essential to the delivery of healthcare.   Attorney General Brown is encouraging Marylanders to take steps to protect themselves, including taking advantage of the free credit monitoring and theft protection that is being offered in connection with the data breach.   The February cyberattack interrupted operations for thousands of doctor’s offices, hospitals, and pharmacies. It also resulted in sensitive health and personal data being leaked onto the dark web—a hidden portion of the internet where cyber criminals buy, sell, and track personal information. The actual number and identity of affected patients are currently unknown; however, Change Healthcare has publicly stated that the data breach could impact up to one-third of all Americans. Given the significance of the breach and the fact that the company has not yet notified individuals if their data was impacted, Attorney General Brown is publicizing the breach and resources, including the offer that Change Healthcare has provided to the public.   Read More Here

Maryland Sun Bucks helps families with school-aged children:

Summer is a time when many children lose the free and reduced-price meals they get at school, and when households might need a little extra help putting meals on the table. Governor Wes Moore recently launched Maryland SUN Bucks, a new benefits program that provides families $120 to buy groceries for each eligible school-aged child during the summer. 

News from the Maryland Department of Natural Resources:

Applications Now Open for Maryland Black Bear Hunt Lottery

Hunters can now enter the lottery selection process for the annual six-day black bear hunt in Western Maryland. The cost to enter the lottery is $15 and applications can be purchased from the Maryland Department of Natural Resources now through August 31. The 2024 bear hunt will take place Oct 21-26 in Allegany, Frederick, Garrett, and Washington counties. Read more.

NOAA Announces $10 Million Grant for Oyster Sanctuary Reef Construction in Maryland

The four-year grant will provide infrastructure funding for building reef bases on about 50 to 75 acres within an existing oyster sanctuary, as well as ground-truthing to assess the area before construction. The Maryland Department of Natural Resources identified several possible sites. Read more.

Maryland Opens Grants Gateway to Fund Community Projects

Funding is available for projects that restore local waterways, increase communities’ resilience to climate change and storm impacts, strengthen local economies, develop the next generation of environmental stewards, and foster sustainable development and use of Maryland waterways. Read more.

Thousands of Invasive Fish Removed from Maryland Waters 

Thousands of invasive fish were removed from the Chesapeake Bay watershed at the Conowingo Dam earlier this year and donated to local food banks through a continuing partnership between Maryland Department of Natural Resources, Constellation Energy, environmental consulting firm Normandeau Associates Inc., and local seafood wholesaler J.J. McDonnell and Co. Inc. Read more.

Federal News

MD Veterans' Health Care System gets largest-ever donation from veterans' group, WMAR-2 News story

Renovated mental health unit at Baltimore VA

Prepare for VA's Secure Sign-in changes

Disaster assistance and resources for Veterans

Preparations for hurricane season

Beat the heat: Four tips to stay active and safe this summer

The VA Health & Benefits App

VA Health Chat is now available in all 18 VISNs

Advice to help Veterans and Military communities identify, prevent and report scams

Foreign Medical Program for Veterans on the go

How Tricare for Life works with other health insurance, tricare.mil article

How to have more fun in the sun: UV Safety Awareness Month

The importance of colorectal cancer screening

New Million Veteran Program study highlights value of diversity in clinical research, leads to new genetic discoveries

Live Whole Health #230: Tai Chi in 10

Live Whole Health #231: Creating Space with the Power of Pausing

VA sets all-time records for care and benefits delivered to Veterans in FY 2023

How to report a Veteran's death to the VA

Free 6-week online workshop offers group support for caregivers of Veterans

Whether you’re new to caregiving or have been a caregiver for years, you may find you meet new challenges. The 6-week Building Better Caregivers ®(BBC) online workshop connects you with other caregivers who can offer a new perspective and support in facing your caregiving challenges. When you join a BBC workshop, you’ll access new tools to restock your caregiver toolbox. Log in each week at your convenience for a new lesson and to create a weekly goal of your choosing. Celebrate your wins and get ongoing support after the workshop ends.

An #IRS reminder on #NationalDisabilityIndependenceDay:

Achieving a Better Life Experience, or ABLE, accounts are a valuable tax benefit for Veteran taxpayers with disabilities. Learn how they can help pay for qualified disability-related expenses: www.irs.gov/able

For Your Information

The Maryland Department of Veterans & Military Families 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 DVMF.  The information provided is intended for your general knowledge only, and serves solely as a DVMF community outreach effort.

Community Calendar

July 26, 2024

NABVETS Veterans Claims Clinic & Resource Fair, Upper Marlboro

Coffee Social for Service Members, Veterans & their families, Frederick

Arundel Lodge Veterans Discussion Group, Edgewater

July 27, 2024

Cornhole for Vets, benefitting Team River Runner, Olney

July 28, 2024

LETS Program Equine-Assisted Workshop Series for Veterans, Gaithersburg

July 31, 2024

Base Camp Veterans Career and Resource Center, online

August 2, 2024

1st Friday Black Vetworking Brunch & Business Card Exchange, Elkridge

1st Friday Black Vetworking "Mandatory Fun", Columbia

August 7, 2024

Women Veteran Wednesdays, online hosted by Easterseals

August 10, 2024

The Mission Continues Baltimore Platoon Volunteer Opportunity, Baltimore

Operation Second Chance & Team River Runner are hosting an all women Veterans Kayaking event, Callaway

August 14, 2024

PACT Act Claims Clinic & VA Health Care Enrollment Fair, Dundalk, Flier

Bourbiz DC - Veteran and Military Spouse Networking and Resource Event, National Harbor

August 20, 2024

Four County Veterans Collaborative (Prince George's, Calvert, Charles, St. Mary's), online

August 29, 2024

Operation Second Chance Women Veterans Healing Arts - Summer Series, Leonardtown

Community News:

Easterseals offers Women Veteran Wednesdays

Maryland National Guard Food Pantry - please consider donating.

Dog Tag Winter 2025 Fellowship Program application now open

More news from Community Building Art Works:

Military Voices - August 1st & August 15th (Thursdays) at 3:30pm EST (Virtual) Join Veteran & author Kevin Basl on the first and third Thursdays at 3:30pm EST to learn how to use writing as a tool to communicate, self-discover, and reflect in our series in partnership with Blue Star Families. This program is open to Active Duty, Veterans, Military Spouses & Caregivers. Register at https://bsfcbaw_writing.eventbrite.com.

More Than One Story - Next Virtual Orientation August 13th Join Community Building Art Works in a virtual orientation session to learn more about our program for women and non-binary military (Active Duty and Veterans), More Than One Story. This monthly program uses live, interactive online art and creative writing workshops to create a “Virtual Community Center” where women and non-binary military members gather and experience belonging in a healthy, safe, and connected environment. Individuals interested in participating in MTOS are required to attend one Orientation Session. Additional Orientation dates are forthcoming. Visit www.cbaw.org/mtos for more details.This program is partially funded by the SSG Parker Gordon Fox Suicide Prevention Grant Program through the VA.

The Evidence of Things Not Seen - August 15th at 7pm (In-Person and Virtual Options)

Join Derrick Weston Brown, author of a more perfect Union, on Thursday, August 15th at 7pm EST for this generative workshop in our series in partnership with the Strathmore. This poetry workshop offers participants an alternative approach to writing, in which visual imagery takes a backseat to touch, taste, sound, smell, movement and emotion resulting in poems intent on revealing the evidence of things that can't be explained through seeing. This workshop is part of the Strathmore James Baldwin Series. A limited number of spots are available to attend this workshop in-person at Strathmore. There is a virtual option, as well. Make your selection when registering. This workshop will be recorded and available to those who register. Register at https://bit.ly/cbaw-strathmore.

The Mission Continues Baltimore Platoon offers a new Volunteer Opportunity:

Bliss Meadows is a 10-acre urban farm dedicated to helping people of the community reconnect with nature through various programs and spaces. This September, we are serving at Bliss Meadows in honor of the anniversary of 9/11. Please join us to help revitalize and upkeep the farm through tasks like rebuilding their seated planter box. Specific tasks for this project day are soon to come!

Event Name: Bliss Meadows

Date/Time:  September 14, 2024 09:00 AM-01:00 PM

Event Location: Bliss Meadows 5105 Plainfield Ave Baltimore MD 21206

Registration Link: https://www.missioncontinues.org/event/details?id=a1lWP000000wGVp

Progressive's Key to Progress vehicle giveaway program:

More Information                                        Video                                               Application

Project Opportunity - Free Entrepreneur Training for Veterans, Active Duty and Guard/Reserve Personnel

Prince George's County Fall 2024 Orientation Session, Monday, August 12th

Anne Arundel Fall 2024 Orientation Session, Monday, August 19th

Baltimore Fall 2024 Orientation Session, Tuesday, August 20th

Prince George's County Fall Orientation Session for Spouses, Thursday, August 22nd

Harford County Fall 2024 Orientation Session, Wednesday, September 4th

Southern Maryland Fall 2024 Orientation Session, Monday, September 9th

Listen to the Veterans SITREP podcast. Every Thursday at 6:30 PM, host Colonel Bill Montgomery (U.S. Army, Retired) will interview featured guests. The program will be broadcast live on WHFC 91.1 FM, live streamed, and become available on the WHFC Podcast webpage and available on Spotify.

Future Events: Save the Date

September 5 - 7, 2024: Quadrennial VA Women Veterans Summit, Washington, DC

September 6, 2024: Anne Arundel Veterans Job Fair and Benefits Day, Edgewater

September 6, 2024: Golf Tournament to benefit MCVET, Elkridge

September 7, 2024: 50K Challenge sponsored by American Legion Riders Post 226, Edgewater

September 9, 2024: Voices of Vets Fundraiser, Columbia

September 14, 2024: CBAW - A Day of Belonging, Rockville

September 15, 2024: Travis Manion Foundation Annapolis 9/11 Heroes Run

September 17, 2024: Military and Spouse Job Fair & Networking 2024, Greenbelt, Job seeker info, Employer/Vendor info

September 21, 2024: Easterseals DC MD VA Walk with Me fundraiser, National Harbor

October 26, 2024: A Day at Ease, Union Bridge

November 2, 2024: The Baltimore Station - Stars, Stripes and Chow Chili Cookoff, Oriole Park at Camden Yards

November 8, 2024: Veterans Resource Day, California

November 9, 2024: 2nd Annual Baltimore County Veterans Day hosted by the Baltimore County Commission on Veterans Affairs and the Towson University Military & Veterans Center

November 9, 2024: Veterans Resource Day hosted by the Harford County Commission on Veterans Affairs, Bel Air

Message for New Subscribers:

Is this your first edition of the DVMF 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 DVMF program, the MD Motor Vehicle Administration or MD Department of Labor to receive information on VA benefits and resources.  We at DVMF 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.