Message from Secretary Woods:

Dear Friends, Last week, I spent some time touring local veteran businesses with the Downtown Partnership of Baltimore.  We visited veteran-owned restaurants, clothing designers and manufacturers, as well as the veterans service organization, MCVET which serves unhoused Veterans. These businesses and organizations embody the values of service, community, and entrepreneurial spirit that were learned through service.  It’s clear that Maryland’s veterans are creating community and serving each other wherever their life’s journey may take them. While there is still work to do, we are working together to make Maryland the best state for Veterans! Best, Tony

Secretary Woods participated in a Veteran-owned business tour led by the Downtown Business Partnership of Baltimore.

Two Unaccompanied Veterans were recently laid to rest at Crownsville Veterans Cemetery.  The community turned out to pay their respects to Clp. Martin L. King, USMC and                          SP4 Samuel O. Tubman, USA.

The Maryland Veterans Trust Fund (MVTF) awarded a $10,000 grant to St. James AME Zion Church (Eastern Shore) for their veteran services programs. Pictured are Rev. McLendon and Dr. Chambers of St. James AME Zion Church. On Veterans Day 2024, DVMF launched an organizational grant program to support programs like this one.

The MVTF has also awarded over half a million dollars in support to individual Veteran households since its relaunch in September 2024. 

DVMF Website

Secretary Woods spoke with the members of the Maryland General Assembly's Veterans Caucus.

Members of the Veterans Caucus also visited the Faces of 22 Photography exhibit which is on display in the General Assembly's House Office Building in Annapolis. Stop by and view this memorial portrait collection, if you are in Annapolis. Video.

Read more about the original exhibit located at the Veterans Service Center in Frederick here.

Secretary Woods received a Blue Star Families (BSF) Citation from Yolanda Rayford (left), Executive Director of the BSF Baltimore/Chesapeake Region.  Also included in this photo is Colonel Yolanda Gore, Garrison Commander, Fort George G. Meade.

Consumer Alert: Beware of Super Bowl Scams and Fraud

Super Bowl LIX is just a few days away, but scammers have been working all year-long to come up with new ways to take advantage of unsuspecting fans. Attorney General Anthony G. Brown is warning consumers to be vigilant against fraud related to betting, tickets or prizes, streaming services, and even merchandise.  Read More Here.

Superbowl and Problem Gambling

The Super Bowl can present a significant temptation for individuals struggling with gambling addiction. Many view it as a final opportunity to make a “big score” to resolve financial or personal difficulties. For some, it represents a last chance to “break-even” after chasing losses throughout the season. Unfortunately, this mindset frequently leads to betting far beyond usual limits.

It is crucial to remember that gambling is entertainment, not a solution to financial or personal problems. If you or someone you know is struggling with gambling, help is available.

Contact 1-800-GAMBLER (1-800-426-2537) for free, confidential support 24/7.

For more information, visit mdproblemgambling.com/sports-betting-2/.

The 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline: Marylanders who are experiencing a mental health or substance use crisis should call or text 988. Learn more at 988.maryland.gov and access free community outreach materials in our 988 Toolkit.  Maryland veterans and their loved ones can call 988 and press 1 to transfer to the Veterans Crisis Line. Press 2 for Spanish. Press 3 for LGBTQIA+ support.

News from the Maryland Department of Natural Resources:

Maryland DNR Accepting Waterfowl Photos for New Contest

The Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) invites wildlife photographers to enter its new waterfowl photo contest. The winning entry will be the featured image on new DNR hard card hunting and fishing licenses that will be available later this year. Read more.

Midwinter Waterfowl Survey Shows Higher Bird Counts

Aerial survey teams of pilots and biologists from the Maryland Department of Natural Resources and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service have completed their annual population estimates of ducks, geese, and swans along the state’s Chesapeake Bay, tidal Potomac River and Atlantic coast shorelines. This year, the teams counted about 705,300 waterfowl, higher than the five-year average. Read more.

Where Do Birds That Leave Maryland for the Winter Go?

Maryland attracts many migrating northern birds during the winter, but that migratory pull goes in both directions. A number of songbirds also fly south from Maryland, including the state bird, the Baltimore oriole. While Baltimore orioles inhabit most of the state in their breeding season, they fly down to Florida, Cuba, Central America, and even Colombia and Venezuela for the rest of the year. Read more.

Cunningham Falls State Park Hosts Maple Syrup Festival

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 8-9 and March 15-16. During this event, held annually for more than 50 years, guests can gather around the Sugar Shack to watch sugarmakers demonstrate the traditional way of boiling sap into syrup. Read more.

Free Trees Available for Maryland’s ‘Backyard Buffers’

The Maryland Department of Natural Resources offers free tree seedlings to landowners statewide who have a creek, drainage ditch, stream, or other waterway on or near their property through the Backyard Buffers program, now available in 23 counties. Each “buffer in a bag” contains native bare-root tree and shrub seedlings with species appropriate to their region. Contact your local forest office.

2025 Session of the Maryland General Assembly has Convened

The Maryland General Assembly is currently meeting in Annapolis for the 2025 Legislative Session.  As a service to the veteran community, information on proposed legislation of possible interest to veterans is provided below:

2025 Legislative Information

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

Maryland General Assembly Website

DVMF will also attend this Resource Fair.

Federal News

Veterans get more time to transition to new online login system

Navigating PTSD in the workplace

PTSD treatment works: Resources from the National Center for PTSD

There are many ways to reach out for support

2025 Veterans Benefits Guide now available

Best of 2024: Top VetResources of the year

Keep an eye out for signs of glaucoma

AMD: Low vision awareness for Veterans

Live Whole Health #259: Desk-friendly yoga for back relief

VA Resources to End Veteran Homelessness

Visit the Military System Mental Health Hub

Lets flip the script: Put Hackers on the Defense

Safer Internet 

Feb. 19th: Taking Control of Your Taxes

Is convenience worth your privacy?

Take charge of your financial future with FINVET

VetResources Community Network Catalyst Award application now open

VetTix - offers tickets tickets to currently serving Military and Veterans

Older Americans 2024: Key Indicators of Well-Being report

VA Maryland Adaptive Sports Program

Limited slots are available for free tax preparation for Veterans enrolled in the VA Maryland Health Care System. See details below.

WEDNESDAYS FEB 19 – MARCH 19 10AM – 2PM (BY APPOINTMENT ONLY)

VA is partnering with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) to offer free tax preparation via IRS trained volunteers to eligible Veterans through the IRS’ Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program.

The most common tax service is tax return preparation and filing.

IRS/AARP Foundation volunteers will review your current tax situation and all your tax documents to prepare and electronically file your federal and state tax return for:

• Current year taxes
• Prior years taxes for the past three tax years
• Amended tax returns for those that need to amend a return that was previously filed (current year or prior three years). 

To Schedule an Appointment:

• Go to Tax Aide Registration, or
• Get tax prep sign-up assistance at the Baltimore VA Annex (209 W. Fayette St.) Community Resource and Referral Center (2nd floor) Mon-Fri, 8:30 a.m. – 3 p.m.
• Register for appointments at other AARP Tax Locations

For more information, visit the AARP Tax Aide website

News from the IRS:

• Taxpayer answers on IRS.gov: As people prepare to file their 2024 tax return, the IRS reminds taxpayers they can find answers to their tax questions from the comfort of their home using IRS online tools and resources.
• Taxpayer Bill of Rights: All taxpayers have rights any time they interact with the IRS. These ten rights are outlined in the Taxpayer Bill of Rights.
• Beware of gift card scams: Taxpayers should be aware of gift card scams and take steps to protect themselves. Scammers may target taxpayers by asking them to pay a fake tax bill with gift cards. People should remember that the IRS never asks for or accepts gift cards as payment for a tax bill.

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.

Register

Community Calendar

February 7, 2025

Vetworking Brunch & Social, Elkridge

Friday Vetworking Social, Hanover

February 8, 2025

Healthy Hearts, Strong Bonds: A workshop for Military Families with Teens, Virtual

February 10, 2025

Mental Health Awareness Project, Temple Hills

Resilience in Action: How Yoga Can Help First Responders

February 11, 2025

VA Resource Fair, Ft. Meade PX

February 12 & 13, 2025

Operation Second Chance Guided Group Sound Meditation, Leonardtown

February 14, 2025

Women Veterans Coffee Social, Lexington Park

February 15, 2025

NABVETS Buffalo Soldiers Memorial Banquet, Baltimore

Therapeutic Horticulture, La Plata

February 17, 2025

Blue Star Coffee Connect, Ft. Meade PX

February 18, 2025

Blue Star Coffee Connect, Bel Air

ServingTogether Caregiver Connect, Virtual

February 19, 2025

Greenwell Foundation Veteran & First Responder Open House, Hollywood

Women Veteran Wednesdays, Virtual

Blue Star Coffee Connect, NAS Pax River

Blue Star Coffee Connect, Prince Frederick

February 20, 2025

VA Claims Clinic & Resource Fair, Reveille Grounds, Baltimore

Maryland's Commitment to Veterans Monthly Workshop Series, Registration

Blue Star Coffee Connect, Ft. Meade/Hanover

February 21, 2025

Black History Night, "The Six Triple Eight", Largo

Blue Star Coffee Connect, Annapolis

Women's Veterans Breakfast, Lexington Park

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

February 22, 2025

Therapeutic Horticulture, Nanjemoy

February 27, 2025

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

February 28, 2025

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

March 3, 2025

Blue Star Families Beach Cleanup, Pasadena

March 4, 2024

Army Alliance Annual Luncheon, Havre de Grace

March 10, 2025

Mental Health Awareness Project, Temple Hills

Community News

Serving Together is offering Caregiver Connect, Registration

Frederick County Service Members, Veterans and their families Coffee Socials

Howard County Library Veterans Book Group 2025

Operation Second Chance Tuesday are for TopGolf, Germantown

Dog Tag Fellowship Summer 2025 is now accepting applications

The Mission Continues Mass Deployment will be in Tampa, FL in 2025. Read More Here

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.

At ServingTogether, we provide local veteran resources, information and services to active duty service members, veterans, family members and caregivers in the DMV region free of charge. We do this through coordinated care, community education (Mental Health First Aid, QPR and other classes) and our numerous veterans’ collaboratives. We also provide mental health assessments as a recipient of the Staff Sergent Fox grant program.

Community Resources

ServingTogether, a program of EveryMind, was launched in 2011 to coordinate community-based resources for service members, veterans and their families in the MD/NoVa/DC region. Our mission is to make it easier for all those who have served in the Armed Forces, National Guard or Reserves, and their families to access the local services they need.  We have hundreds of dedicated non-profit, state and federal partners that can help with needs from A to Z!

To contact the Care Coordinators, please visit www.servingtogetherproject.org and complete the Get Assistance Now form on the website, or call 1-855-738-7176.

Visit https://servingtogetherproject.org/  for upcoming events, information, helpful guides, checklists and more.  

Community Collaboration

ServingTogether helps to coordinate or is a member of various collaboratives, committees and councils related to our military and veteran community. We chair several community collaboratives that provide an opportunity to network, share, learn and interconnect to other area community providers. To learn more about them, visit: https://servingtogetherproject.org/

News from Community Building Art Works

Visual Art Programs - Wednesdays 7pm EST (Virtual) Interested in visual art? Every Wednesday, join Veterans and Artists, Valerie Acosta, Shaun Smith and Joe Merritt to learn something new. This month, with the help of the Rockville Maryland Plaza Art, we have a special guest artist from Liquitex, Brandy Antonio. Join us on Wednesday, February 12th at 7pm EST where participants will be introduced to the acrylic brand, Liquitex, who has been at the forefront of innovation for 70 years. The Liquitex mediums range offers a host of innovative possibilities to meet the aesthetic needs of every artist. This demo with Brandy Antonio is all about getting people excited about the endless possibilities of acrylic mediums so they can go right into the studio with tons of new ideas. Attendees will learn what mediums are, how they can change the inherent characteristics of acrylic color to meet each artist's vision, and which mediums are a must-have in Brandy’s practice. Come with all of your acrylic mediums questions for an exciting demo with an incredibly fun artist/educator. Check out Plaza’s website to purchase some mediums to explore with. Learn more about Visual Art Programs and register HERE.

Writing Workshop with Seema Reza - Fridays at 12pm EST (Virtual) Join CBAW CEO/Founder and poet, Seema Reza, every Friday at 12pm EST for to learn a tool for communication, expression, and relief from holding it all together. No experience needed! Register HERE.

More Than One Story - Next Virtual Orientations - Feb 11th & Mar 11th (Virtual)

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.

Visit www.cbaw.org to learn more about Community Building Art Works.

Kennedy Krieger is offering upcoming workshops for military-connected families:

Feb. 20 – Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) Skills Group

Feb. 28 - Stress Less: Supporting Military Families in Managing Stress

April 24 - Practical Strategies for Managing Media use in Young and School-Aged Children

Project Opportunity offers free entrepreneur training for Veterans in the Spring:

Entrepreneur Training for Spouses of Veterans, Active Duty & Guard/Reserve Personnel, Aberdeen (orientation scheduled for February 19th - flier)

Prince George's County, (orientation scheduled February 20th - flier)

Montgomery County (orientation scheduled for February 24th - flier)

A group of Maryland military veterans attended the National Museum of American Jewish Military History in Washington, D.C on Sunday, February 2, 2025. Approximately 40 veterans and supporters were in attendance at the museum. The trip was an opportunity for military veterans to reflect on the significant contributions of Jewish Americans in military service throughout our nation’s history.  Read More Here

The Jewish War Veterans of the USA, founded in 1896, is the oldest active veterans’ organization in the country. JWV remains committed to honoring Jewish military service, fostering camaraderie among veterans, and promoting awareness of Jewish contributions to the armed forces. Visit https://jwv-mdi.org/ for more information.

Future Events: Save the Date

March 14, 2025: 2025 SHERO Summit

March 22, 2025: Therapeutic Horticulture, La Plata

March 27, 2025: Silver Spring Vet Center - Remembering Vietnam Veterans

March 29, 2025: PTSD Support for Loved Ones, Twin Beaches Library, North Beach

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

April 25, 2025: Veteran Stand Down 50, Cambridge

April 26, 2025: Veterans Stand Down 50, Salisbury

April 26, 2025: Military Children 2025 Word Expo, Arlington

May 18, 2025: EveryMile for EveryMind 5K & 1K Fun Run/Walk

July 19, 2025: 2nd Annual Veterans Appreciation Day, Frederick

Maryland Veterans Commissioner CAPT (Ret) Jerome D. Davis, SC, USN attended the VFW Post 9619 Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday Celebration in Morningside, Maryland.  The guest speaker for the celebration was Rev. George C. Gilbert, Jr. of Holy Trinity Baptist Church in Washington, DC.  Attending the ceremony were VFW Post 9619 Post Commander Todd Traynham, VFW District 01 Commander CAPT (Ret) Willie Evans, SC, USN and former VFW State Commander James Holland.  The photo includes Rev. Gilbert and members of the VFW Post 9619 leadership team.

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.