Message from Secretary Anthony Woods:

Dear Friends, This week, I had the privilege of joining veterans and caregivers for an adaptive cycling event at Black Hill Regional Park in Montgomery County. Riding alongside them was a powerful reminder of how reconnecting with others and getting outdoors can promote both physical and mental well-being. These activities offer more than just exercise — they build community, foster resilience, and provide a sense of purpose. Thanks to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs’ adaptive recreation programs and partners like Adaptive Adventures, the Tour de Maryland ensures that all veterans have access to activities that support their health and recovery. To learn more about how you can get involved in the VA’s adaptive sports program, read more here. I’ll see you on the road! Sincerely, Tony

Secretary Woods joined Maryland Veterans and Caregivers in adaptive biking through Montgomery County's Black Hill Regional Park.  The program was hosted by the Adaptive Recreation program of the Perry Point VA Medical Center.

DVMF Website

DVMF Secretary Tony Woods, Deputy Secretary Dana Burl, and Deputy Chief of Staff Andrew Libraty met with Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Military Community and Family Policy (MC&FP), Mrs. Patricia M. Barron, Ms. Geraldine Valentino-Smith, Director of the Defense State Liaison Office, Mr. Larry Gilchrist, Deputy Director of the Defense State Liaison Office, and Ms. Amy Rodick, Director of the Office of Military Family Readiness Policy,  The MC&FP team provided a briefing, and the group discussed collaborative ways to support the military community in Maryland.  

Secretary Woods toured the Maryland National Guard’s Annapolis Readiness Center and Easton Readiness Center.  He joined members of the Maryland General Assembly’s Veterans Caucus to better understand the role that DVMF can play in supporting the Guard and their families.

Blue Star Families Welcome Week, Stronger Together event, provided a trip to Washington, DC for local military families.  In the first photo are the participants at Union Station.  In the second photo, Dana Burl, DVMF Deputy Secretary of Military Families (center) is presenting a citation from Governor Moore to Yolanda Rayford, Executive Director of the Baltimore/Chesapeake Region of Blue Star Families and Lindsay Knight, Blue Star Families Chief Impact Officer.

Dana Burl, DVMF Deputy Secretary for Military Families is presenting a Governor's Citation to Commander Everette Alvarez (Ret), US Navy.  Commander Alvarez is a former Navy pilot who was held at the Hanoi Hilton during the Vietnam War.  Also pictured are David Conway, AARP Maryland President and Jim Campbell, AARP Maryland President Emeritus.

In Memoriam: 

It is with sadness we report the passing of Commander Bernard Watts of NABVETS Chapter #0053 in Baltimore. Remembrance

Governor Moore Announces $2.2 Million to Support Small, Minority, and Veteran-Owned Business Growth

Governor Wes Moore  announced $2.2 million in financial assistance to support small, minority, and veteran-owned business growth to help make Maryland more competitive. The funding, which includes loans, loan guaranties, and equity investments from the Military Personnel and Veteran-owned Small Business Loan Program and the Maryland Small Business Development Financing Authority, will help the businesses create 36 new jobs and retain 131 workers in the state.

“To make Maryland more competitive, we need to uplift our entrepreneurs. That's why we are working together to ensure Maryland is the best state in the country to start, build, and grow a business," said Gov. Moore. “With help from these two programs, we are uplifting entrepreneurs of all backgrounds — and building new pathways to work, wages, and wealth.“

The Military Personnel and Veteran-owned Small Business Loan Program provides no-interest loans of up to $100,000 for businesses owned by military reservists, veterans, and National Guard personnel and for small businesses that employ or are owned by these individuals. The program is administered by Maryland Commerce in consultation with the Maryland Department of Veterans and Military Families. Read More Here

News from the Maryland Department of Commerce

Federal Funding Supports Military Installation Resilience in Maryland

The Maryland Department of Commerce has received a $1.06 million federal grant to launch the Resilient Maryland Defense Communities program. The program, funded through the U.S. Department of Defense Office of Local Defense Community Cooperation, aims to help the state and communities partner with local military installations and departments to support the long-term viability of military installations. Maryland will partner with the military, local defense communities, and various state agencies driving resilience planning in the state, including the Maryland Department of Emergency Management Office of Resilience and the Maryland Department of Planning, who will play key supporting roles in this project. Read More Here

Join Maryland Delegate Mike Rogers, members of the Maryland General Assembly Veterans Caucus, and members of the Legislative Black Caucus of Maryland in donating items for the residents of Charlotte Hall Veterans Home. Donation Information

BOO! Pedestrians are everywhere on Halloween night. Be the driver who knows to slow down and stay alert.

News from the Maryland Department of Natural Resources

Monarchs in Motion – Scientists and Citizens Monitor the Butterfly’s Maryland Visit During its Spectacular Migration

Each year thousands of monarch butterflies flutter through Maryland on their migration to Mexico, but scientists have learned something shocking about their stay in the Old Line State – they are not getting enough to eat. The Maryland Department of Natural Resources is working to protect and enhance monarch habitat across the state. Read more.

Chesapeake Channa Could Spawn More than Once a Year in Upper Bay, Maryland DNR Study Finds

Chesapeake Channa have biological and behavioral traits such as broader water temperature tolerance, aggressive predatory behavior, high egg production, and parental guardianship. Those traits and this new evidence of multiple spawns underscore why they have become an environmental nuisance in Maryland. Read more.

Meet Maryland’s Cryptids and the Wildlife That May Have Inspired Them

Chessie. Goatman. Wendigo. The Snallygaster. Do we have cryptids in Maryland? Some people think so. But who, or what, are these creatures really? There’s a good chance they are inspired by our native wildlife. Read more -- if you dare!

Maryland Natural Resource Photo Contest Winners Announced

The Maryland Department of Natural Resources has chosen the winners of the annual Maryland Natural Resource Photo Contest, with the grand prize going to Debby Berlyn for her photo of a green heron at Brookside Gardens. Still to be determined is the Fan Favorite, which will be chosen by popular opinion on the department’s Facebook page. Read more.

Public Invited to Vote "Fan Favorite" in Annual Maryland Department of Natural Resources Photo Contest

Following the selection of 12 winners in the annual Maryland Natural Resource Photo Contest, the department invites Facebook users to vote the addition Fan Favorite from four additional photographs. To vote, readers should visit the Maryland DNR Facebook page and "like" their favorite picture. Voting ends Tuesday, October 22 at 5 p.m. The photo with the most "likes" will be featured with the other winning images in the 2025 Maryland Natural Resource calendar. Read more and vote.

DNR Announces Next Three Large-Scale Oyster Restoration Sanctuaries

Staff presented the selected sites to the Oyster Advisory Commission at its meeting Tuesday. Planning for these new restoration efforts comes as the department concludes its initial restoration of the “big five” sanctuary sites as required in the 2014 Chesapeake Bay Watershed Agreement. Read more.

Federal News

VA Maryland Health Care System: Operation Green Light

VA Maryland Health Care System: Happy Veterans Day 2024

VA Maryland Health Care System: Flu Shot Information for Enrolled Veterans, More Information

VA: What You Earned - Health Care

Introducing My Military Health, health.mil

How does Tricare for Life work with Medicare?

Find suicide prevention and mental health resources with Psych Hub

VA SAVW+E Suicide Prevention Training 10.01.2024 webinar

Prioritizing your well-being and accessing lifesaving support

Check in with your buddies, get some Starbucks

Supporting LGBTQ+ Veterans: Health & Spirituality Webinar

Breast cancer awareness: It's more than just pink

Live Whole Health #242: Being there

Live Whole Health #243: The power of positive intentions

Education Benefits, U.S. Department of Education

VA VASP program, help with foreclosure

Veterans Day National Committee selects Regional Sites for 2024

Mark your calendars — Medicare Open Enrollment starts October 15. Did you know new benefits are coming to Medicare drug coverage next year?

Starting in 2025, all Medicare plans will include a $2,000 cap on what you pay out-of-pocket for prescription drugs covered by your plan. So, it's more important than ever to make sure your drugs are covered.

Also starting next year, you can choose to participate in a program that spreads your out-of-pocket drug costs across the calendar year, instead of paying all at once at the pharmacy. It's called the Medicare Prescription Payment Plan — and you can opt in with your plan throughout the 2025 plan year. Contact your plan for more details.

Preview Coverage Options

Remember, Medicare plans can change from one year to the next, and so can your health needs. Preview and compare all your health and drug options and see if you can save!

Sincerely,

The Medicare Team

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.

Dr. Cynthia Macri, the Keynote Speaker is a member of the Maryland Veterans Commission.

Community Calendar

October 19, 2024

Ft. Meade Fall Fest, Ft. Meade PX, additional information

October 20, 2024

Cake/Baked Goods auction to benefit Platoon 22 sponsored by International Harvester Collectors Club Chapter 39, Ijamsville

October 22, 2024

TopGolf for Caregivers and wounded post 9/11 combat Veterans, Germantown

October 24, 2024 

Salute to Heroes Gala, Greenbelt

October 25, 2024

Lets Launch: Trauma-Informed Yoga, Lifeline Equine Therapy Services, Gaithersburg

Ft. Meade Retiree Appreciation Day, Ft. Meade, Retiree Newsletter

Serving Together in Calvert County, Lusby

Fidos for Freedom Fundraiser, Greenbelt

Operation Second Chance Halloween Workshop, Leonardtown

October 26, 2024

A Day at Ease, Union Bridge, Register

October 27, 2024

Lifeline Horse Rescue and Rehabilitation, Light Warrior: Loving All Parts of Yourself, Gaithersburg

October 29, 2024

Veteran Job and Resource Fair, LaPlata, Flier

Safe Firearm Storage Workshop, Columbia

TopGolf for Caregivers and wounded post 9/11 combat Veterans, Germantown

October 30, 2024 

Welcome to the Workforce - LinkedIn Learning, Cover Letter and AI Use, Baltimore, sponsored by Blue Star Families

Base Camp: Veterans Career and Resource Session sponsored by Prince George's County Office of Veterans Affairs, Virtual

Power of Age Expo 2024, includes Veterans Muster, Timonium

November 1 -2, 2024

Wheelchair Tennis, Classes are free, Annapolis

November 1 - 3, 2024

Squared Away Weekend, Various locations

Event Weekend to Salute Veterans, Active Military & Maryland State Police, Iverness Brewing, Monkton

November 2, 2024

The Baltimore Station - Stars, Stripes and Chow Chili Cookoff, Oriole Park at Camden Yards, Tickets

16th Annual Hero Haven - Homeless Stand Down, Martinsburg VA Medical Center

Warriors Among Us, Boonsboro

WinterHaven, Stand Down, Washington, DC VA Medical Center

November 5, 2024

TopGolf for Caregivers and wounded post 9/11 combat Veterans, Germantown

November 6, 2024

Pact Act Veterans Claims Clinic & VA Health Enrollment Fair, Perry Point

November 7, 2024

Maryland Veterans Symposium, Virtual

November 8, 2024

Veterans Resource Day, California

2024 Prince George's Senior Veterans Celebration, Greenbelt

Tribute to America's Veterans Concert, Silver Spring

November 9, 2024

The Mission Continues Baltimore Platoon Volunteer Opportunity at A. Mario Louderman Middle School, Silver Spring

2nd Annual Baltimore County Veterans Day hosted by the Baltimore County Commission on Veterans Affairs and the Towson University Military & Veterans Center

Veterans Resource Day hosted by the Harford County Commission on Veterans Affairs, Bel Air

Baltimore City Veterans Day Parade

Marine Corps Birthday and Congressional Gold Medal Event, sponsored by Montford Point Marines Baltimore Chapter #17, Baltimore

November 10, 2024

Maryland Center for Veterans Education and Training (MCVET) 27th Annual Veteran's Day Salute and 5K & 1 Mile Run/Walk/Role, Baltimore

November 11, 2024

Annual Veterans Day Ceremony, Galena

Free flu vaccinations for Veterans, American Legion Post 64, Salisbury

Community News

Operation Raise the Roof provides new roof to Maryland Veteran. Ceremony on November 14th.

Anne Arundel County Workforce Development Corporation offers Military Career Connections

ACP Mentoring Program for Veterans and Active Duty Spouses

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.

News from Community Building Art Works:

Military Voices – First & Third 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.

Collaged Nature Assemblages: Creating Art from the World Around Us with Angie Ebba– Wednesday October 23^rd at 7pm EST (Virtual)

Join Angie Ebba on Wednesday, October 23^rd at 7pm EST. The natural world provides so much inspiration for art. In this workshop we will learn about nature assemblages and then use materials gathered from the natural world, along with collage materials, to build artistic creations. This workshop is a creative exploration; no prior artistic experience needed! Learn more HERE.

More Than One Story - Next Virtual Orientations - November 12th, and December 10th

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.

Future Events: Save the Date

November 12, 2024: Veterans Resource Fair, sponsored by Disabled Veterans National Foundation, Silver Spring

November 13, 2024: Community & Veterans Job Fair, Ft. George G. Meade

November 14, 2024: Operation Raise the Roof, Edgewater

November 15, 2024: Queen Anne's County Caregiver's Conference, Grasonville

November 26, 2024: Welcome to the Workforce - Making the Most of Your Family and Friends During the Holidays, Virtual, sponsored by Blue Star Families

March 30, 2025: Welcome Home Vietnam Veterans Day Celebration sponsored by Gilchrist

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.