Message from Secretary Woods:

Dear Friends, The federal government is in the headlines and each day brings more news of change. For many, these changes have personally disrupted your households. According to LinkedIn, the federal government is the number one employer of veterans in Maryland, and we know veterans working in federal roles might be feeling the impact of recent layoffs. If you're experiencing a disruption in your employment, please remember these resources: Maryland Department of Labor: Offers support and information on unemployment benefits. Veterans’ Hiring Preference: Available for Maryland state government roles. Maryland Veterans Trust Fund: Can provide assistance for qualified veterans faced with a range of financial challenges including risk of foreclosure or eviction. Benefits assistance: helps veterans apply for their earned benefits including disability compensation and VA healthcare. As always, DVMF is here to support you. Please don’t hesitate to reach out.  Best, Tony

DVMF Website

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The Maryland Veterans Trust Fund awarded a $15,000 grant to Habitat for Humanity of Wicomico County (HFHWC). This grant funding will be used to complete critical home repairs and aging in place modifications for low-income veteran homeowners in Wicomico and Somerset Counties. From left to right are: Molly Hilligoss, CEO - Habitat for Humanity, Heather Geraldes, Executive Director - Maryland Veterans Trust and Christina Williams, Director of Development - Habitat for Humanity.

Secretary Woods accepted a generous donation from representatives of DAV Omaha Beach Chapter 7, located in Bowie.  This donation will help fund the DVMF Service Animal Program Fund.  In this photo from left to right are: DAV Chapter 7 Commander Tommy Sirico, Maryland Veterans Commissioner Penny Collins, who is also a Chapter 7 member, Secretary Woods, Lawrence White and Stephanie Buxton.

Secretary Woods toured Red-6 Solutions, a Veteran-owned business in Bowie that provides expert guidance to federal and local governments on countering emerging drone threats.  Shown with Secretary Woods are: Landon Plechner (UAS Pilot), Jonathan Schumacher (UAS Pilot), Scott Crino (CEO), and Kristen Crino (Administrator).

Maryland's First Lady, Dawn Flythe Moore and Secretary Woods attended the JP Morgan Chase announcement of a Maryland-area Virtual Call Center.  This new initiative will provide 40 job opportunities for military spouses. JP Morgan Chase Press Release

WMAR-2 News story

Governor's Office of Small, Minority & Women Business Affairs

Stay connected to the many opportunities for training, networking, and business development that are taking place across Maryland and on virtual platforms. Here is a highlight of some of the events coming up this month. 2/25/2025 - How To Write An Awesome Capability Statement 2/25/2025 - T.I.P.S. Webinar Series: Small Business Finance Basics 2/26/2025 - Borrowing For Small Businesses 2/28/2025 - ISBI Open House & Networking with Resource Partners 3/04/2025 - MBE/DBE/ACDBE/SBE Certification Application Assistance Webinar Check out the full listing of small business events online at goMDsmallbiz.maryland.gov.

For More Information.

News from the Maryland Department of Natural Resources

Maryland Department of Natural Resources Proposes 2025-2026 Migratory Gamebird Hunting Seasons

The Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) has posted the proposed 2025-2026 Migratory Game Bird Seasons for public review. DNR is providing an online forum to collect public comment on these proposals now through February 24. Read more.

DNR to Acquire Property for State Park in Wicomico County

The Board of Public Works approved the Maryland Department of Natural Resources to purchase a historic property that would become the first Maryland State Park in Wicomico County. Wetipquin Creek State Park, currently in the planning phase, will conserve and foster an appreciation of the natural resources of the Delmarva Peninsula. Read more.

News from Maryland Corps

The application for the third class of the Maryland Corps/Service Year Option program is now live! Members of the program have the opportunity to develop meaningful skills, earn a wage of at least $15 per hour, and  after finishing the program, earn a $6,000 completion award, and just as importantly, help grow Maryland’s economy.  Apply here.

Message from Governor Moore

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

For more information or to reserve a vendor table, write Wayne Stinchcomb at wayne.stinchcomb@va.gov.

Federal News

VA Did You Know: Adapted Housing Grants

PTSD Bytes: Reducing suicide risk

Navigating PTSD in the Workplace Podcast

PTSD: Manage Insomnia and Other Sleep Problems

Help for blind and low vision Veterans

Nourishing your heart

Staying independent and connected with your community

Live Whole Health #260: Mindful breathing for calm and focus

Live Whole Health #261: Heart health made simple with chair yoga

Military Health System Beneficiaries Urged to Download Old Medical Records by April 1, Military.com article

Free online courses for Veterans Needing business start-up or accelerator help

Tax season guidance for Veterans

Ft. Meade Gate Access Update

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

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

Ft. Meade Chapter, Military Officers Association of America (MOAA) Monthly meeting, Ellicott City 

Therapeutic Horticulture, Nanjemoy

February 24, 2025

Howard County Veterans Foundation Fundraiser - Dine for a Difference

February 26, 2025

Base Camp: Veterans Career and Resource Center, Virtual

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

6th Annual Community & Veterans Hiring Fair, Morgan State University, Baltimore

Army Alliance Annual Luncheon, Havre de Grace

March 10, 2025

Mental Health Awareness Project, Temple Hills

March 14, 2025

Women's History Month 2025 SHERO Summit, Catonsville

March 20, 2025

Maryland's Commitment to Veterans Monthly Workshop Series - Caring for Women Veterans: Navigating VA Healthcare, Register

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Community News

Platoon 22 Fundraiser - Dueling Piano, Hagerstown

The Steven A. Cohen Military Family Clinic announces a Virtual Substance Use Group, beginning March 12th. Read More Here

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

Veterans Yoga Project offers free online classes

NAMI offers Veterans a free Connection Support Group

Blue Star Family Lifestyle Survey results are live

Listen to the Veterans SITREP podcast. Every Thursday at 6:30PM, 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

Natural Objects: Songwriting Fundamentals and Lyrics Analysis - March 6th 7pm EST (VIRTUAL)

Join author of Mountain Roosters and Grammy-nominated singer-songwriter, Matthew Sidney Parsons for a workshop aimed at demystifying the process of creating lyrics and providing a framework to evaluate and appreciate the lyrics of songs we love.  Ticket sales from this fundraising workshop will benefit CBAW programs for veterans, service members, military families, and health care workers. 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 available to those who register. Register at: https://CBAW_Songwriting.eventbrite.com

More Than One Story - Next Virtual Orientations - March 11th & April 8th(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. For more information, email info@cbaw.org. Follow us on social media Facebook | Instagram | YouTube | LinkedIn

Future Events: Save the Date

March 22, 2025: Therapeutic Horticulture, La Plata

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

March 29, 2025: Platoon 22 Fundraiser - Dueling Piano, Hagerstown

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

April 3, 2025: Service to Success Hiring Fair, Hanover

April 5, 2025: The Mission Continues Baltimore Platoon volunteer effort for Earth Day, Filbert Street Garden, Baltimore

April 22, 2025: SilentVets.org 2025 Charity Golf Tournament, Windsor Mill

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

April 26, 2025: PTSD Support for Loved Ones, Twin Beaches Library

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

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

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.