Message from Secretary Woods:

Dear Friends, Last week, we honored two legendary units who served with distinction and faced adversity during WWII—the women of the 6888th Central Postal Directory Battalion and the Tuskegee Airmen. At the WWII Memorial in Annapolis, we laid a wreath for the 6888th, the only all-Black Women’s Army Corps unit deployed overseas, to honor 6888 Day in Maryland. Against the odds, they cleared a massive backlog of mail, ensuring frontline troops received the letters that kept morale alive. Their service was critical, yet their contributions were long overlooked. We also gathered to remember Lt. Col. (Ret.) Shelton Ivan Ware, an aircraft maintainer for the Tuskegee Airman and WWII veteran who passed away at 101. As a maintainer, he kept aircraft mission-ready, supporting the pilots who shattered racial barriers and broke barriers himself as a member of the famed “Red Ball Express” in the European theater. Both the 6888th and Lt. Col. Ware fought for victory abroad and dignity at home. Their legacy is a reminder that while service is not always seen, it is never insignificant. The service of the 6888th and Lt. Col. Ware will not be forgotten and cannot be erased. Best, Tony

Members of the Maryland General Assembly and Maryland officials observed Women's History Month by honoring the 6888th Central Postal Directory Battalion at the World War II Memorial in Annapolis.

In this photo are from left to right:  Maryland Deputy Secretary of State Michael Lore, Senator Johnny Ray Salling, Senator Benjamin T. Brooks, Sr., Major General Janeen Birckhead, Adjutant, Maryland National Guard, Dr. Toni Draper, CEO and Publisher, AFRO-American Newspaper, Secretary Anthony Woods, Delegate Edith Patterson, and Delegate Mike Rogers.

Resource List

 Resource List

Link to survey

Members of the DVMF Service and Benefits Team provided benefits and claims information to Veterans who attended the Job Fair held at Ft. Meade this week.  Many Veterans and spouses took advantage of the benefits information provided by the DVMF Benefits Specialists.

In this photo are: Secretary Tony Woods, Cardell Bass, Western Area Supervisor, Sharron Hall, Benefits Specialist II, Katherine Perkins, Veterans Benefits Specialist II and Colonel Yolanda Gore, Garrison Commander, Fort George G. Meade.

The Maryland Department of Veterans & Military Families Service and Benefits Program provides assistance to the men and women who served in the Uniformed Services of the United States, their dependents, and survivors in obtaining benefits from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, Department of Defense, State of Maryland and other programs for veterans and their families.  In FY24, DVMF had a 95% approval rating for claims presented to the VA on behalf of veterans and family members.  All of our veteran benefits specialists are accredited by the VA.  There is no charge for benefits and claims assistance.

If you need assistance, please contact one of the DVMF Service & Benefits Offices.

Secretary Woods addresses the audience at the Maryland Military Installation Council last week. He discussed the Maryland Military Installation Business and Talent Ecosystem Efforts and Recommendations.

Roslyn Jones, DVMF Women Veterans/Inclusion Program Manager moderates the panel for a Women's History Month event honoring the members of the 6888th Central Postal Directory Battalion. The event was held at Catonsville Community College.

In this photo are: Roslyn Jones, Ms. Karen Taylor (6888th family member), Ms. Janice Martin (6888th family member), Dr. Toni Draper (6888th family member) and COL (Ret) Edna Cummings, (6888th Advocate).

DVMF Deputy Secretary Ross Cohen (right) presented a Governor's Citation for Service to American Legion National Commander James LaCoursiere, Jr.  The event was held at the  American Legion Post 39 in Bel Air.

Gearing up for April’s Month of the Military Child!

A personal note from Dana Burl, Deputy Secretary, Military Family Policy and Programs

Less than a year ago, I was honored to accept the appointment to a new DVMF position, Deputy Secretary, Military Family Policy and Programs.  On the heels of our Department’s name change in July 2024 and in the midst of the Year for Military Families in Maryland I was deeply humbled yet excited to transition into this new role.

Knowing that I’d be leading military family programs reinforced what I knew all along, and what Governor Moore has expressed time and again, “our military families sacrifice everything so their loved ones can serve, they are just as much a part of the American story as those in the Armed Forces.”

As a former military spouse and new Blue Star Mother to one son serving on active duty and a second son preparing to enlist after graduation, I am not only professionally vested in our mission, I am personally vested as well.  So, it should come as no surprise that DVMF and Maryland Joins Forces partners are gearing up this April for a truly exciting Month of the Military Child!  

Next month, I encourage all Marylanders to pay tribute to the courage and resilience displayed by the more than 35,000 military connected children in our state.  So much is asked of them, from adapting to frequent relocations, to adjusting to new schools, and enduring separations from loved ones, all while maintaining academic progress and personal growth.  This is our time to say, “thank you!” 

And don’t forget to join us on April 11 by wearing purple for “Purple Up Day!” to visibly show our appreciation of military kids for their strength and sacrifice.  

For a full list of DVMF Month of the Military Child events and discounts, please visit our website.

To learn more about resources and training opportunities for parents, students, and professionals on the military child’s experience please visit the Military Child Education Coalition, which has a mission to “support all military connected children by educating, advocating, and collaborating to resolve education challenges associated with the military lifestyle”.  

Together, let’s PURPLE UP for our military kids!

-Dana

DVMF Website

Registration

Maryland Day is March 25th

Maryland Day commemorates March 25, 1634, the day settlers disembarked from two small sailing ships - the Ark and the Dove – onto the land that would become the state of Maryland. Visit the official Maryland Day website for a full list of events. Read More Here

Spotlight on Education: University of Maryland Global Campus - Updated Agenda

Register

Spotlight on Education: University of Maryland Veteran Student Life & ServingTogether Claims Clinic

Registration

News from the Maryland Department of Natural Resources:

New Trails Now Open at Former Bay Club in Berlin with Additional Environmental Improvements Planned

New trails are available for adventurous hikers at the former Bay Club property in Worcester County, and soon local residents and visitors will see a number of environmental improvements coming to the property that’s now managed by the Maryland Forest Service. The trails offer about 12 miles in hiking opportunities throughout the land once reserved for fairways and farms. Read more.

State of the State Fish: What Marylanders Should Know About Striped Bass for 2025

Maryland’s recreational and commercial striped bass fisheries are set for 2025. While there remains uncertainty around future spawning potential for the species, Maryland is maintaining the recreational seasons, limits, and the commercial quota instituted last year based on the overall 2024 coastwide Atlantic striped bass stock assessment. Read more.

Wolf Den Run State Park Trail Added to Jeep ‘Badge of Honor’ Program

The Jeep brand announced the designation on Feb. 28, along with designations for trails in Minnesota and Washington. There are 61 Badge of Honor trails nationwide. Wolf Den Run State Park opened in 2019, the first park in the state to offer trails for off-road vehicles. Read more.

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

Federal News

March 28th: VA proudly commemorates our Vietnam Veterans, Baltimore National Cemetery

The VA Maryland Health Care System is accepting donations to send 12 Veteran patients to the 2025 Golden Age Games: Letter of Information, and Donation Form.

Million Veterans Program celebrates women's history

New breast cancer screening recommendations 

March is Social Work Month

Battle Buddy Program provides Veterans opportunity to connect with others

How VA is taking action to prevent Veteran suicide

Suicide prevention: VA S.A.V.E. training

VA improving diabetes care with patient-generated health data

Healing with Tai Chi

Live Whole Health #264: Hello body, great to meet you!

Anti-inflammatory diet: calming the fire

Cover your application bases and provide a winning cover letter

How does the GI Bill affect my taxes?

Are you eligible for the GI Bill tutoring benefit?

Warrior-Scholar Project academic boot camp

Free Vetrepreneur Franchise Academy helps Veterans get into Business ownership

Apply to host VA-recognized 2025 Regional Veterans Day Observances

Rockefeller Foundation and VS Expand Access to Healthy Foods for America's Veterans, PRNewswire article

New year, new skills: Get a free MasterClass subscription with Blue Star Families

The 2025 National Veterans Day Poster Contest is now open

National Veterans Creative Arts Competition

The Center for Women Veterans is hosting a Social Security Administration Webinar Thursday, March 27, 2025 at 12:00pm ET.  Please use the link to register and share with your communities. 

Mindfulness Meditation Class for Veterans

Join VA’s free, phone-based class called “Mindfulness Meditation.”   Designed for Veterans of all eras, this class will help you manage the challenges and stressors of everyday life. Each class covers a topic related to mindfulness, followed by a guided meditation practice. Classes are available from 11a.m. to noon ET. Check the link for schedule.

Follow these 3 tips to protect yourself from Medicare fraud and scams:

1. If you get a call, text or email asking for your Medicare Number, don't respond. Don't give your Medicare card or Medicare Number to anyone except your doctor or people you know should have it.
2. Check your Medicare Summary Notices (MSNs) or claims statements carefully. If you see a charge for a service you didn't get or a product you didn't order, it may be fraud. If you suspect fraud, report it at 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227). 
3. Guard your Medicare cardlike it's a credit card.

Stop Medicare Fraud

Visit Medicare.gov, the official source for Medicare information, to learn more about preventing Medicare fraud and medical identity theft.

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

March 21, 2025

Spring Equinox Emerge Yoga Event, Lifeline Equine Therapy Services, Gaithersburg

March 22, 2025

Honoring Women Veteran Educators, Severn, Register

Therapeutic Horticulture, La Plata

Military Officers Assoc. of America Monthly Meeting (MOAA), Ellicott City

VFW Veterans Claims & Resource Day, Morningside

March 23, 2025

LETS Wellness Workshops, includes stress-reducing yoga, Lifeline Journey video - Greystoke Farm, Gaithersburg

March 24, 2025

Platoon 22: Honoring Our Vietnam Veterans on Welcome Home Day, Frederick

March 25, 2025

Navigating eMaryland Marketplace Advantage (eMMA)

March 26, 2025

Career Fair, Frederick

Operation Base Camp: Veterans Information & Resource Session, Virtual

March 27, 2025

Silver Spring Vet Center - Remembering Vietnam Veterans

March 28, 2025

UMGC Friday VetWorking, Elkridge, Register

March 29, 2025

Platoon 22 Fundraiser - Dueling Piano, Hagerstown

University of Maryland Student Life and ServingTogether Claims Clinic, College Park, Flier

March 30, 2025

Welcome Home Vietnam Veterans Day Celebration sponsored by Gilchrist, Register

April 3, 2025

Service to Success Hiring Fair, Hanover

Veterans Job Fair, Rockville

April 5, 2025

The Mission Continues Baltimore Platoon volunteer effort for Earth Day, Filbert Street Garden, Baltimore

Blue Star Families Beach Clean-up, Pasadena

April 17, 2025

Service Members, Veterans and Families Monthly Workshop Series, Virtual, offered by Maryland's Commitment to Veterans, Registration

April 19, 2025

Veterans Claims Clinic and referrals for Prostate Cancer Screening, Catonsville

Team River Runner: Kayaking for Veterans, Gilbert Run Park, Charlotte Hall, Register

Community News

Mission Beelieve Free Intro to Beekeeping Registration is open for summer class, Virtual

Military Child Education Coalition Heroic Hearts Scholarship

Operation Second Chance Scholarship Program, open to High School Seniors of wounded, ill or injured Veteran, Apply

The Doughboy Foundation announces an original musical presentation to support the work of he National World War I Memorial. The production is titled, The Story of Rose: A Musical Reverie of the Great War.  Read More Here

Team River Runner Offers Spring Kayaking Events for Veterans:

April 19: Team River Runner: Kayaking for Veterans, Gilbert Run Park, Charlotte Hall, Register

April 26: Team River Runner: Kayaking for Veterans, St. Mary’s River State Park, Leonardtown, Register

May 3: Team River Runner: Kayaking for Veterans, Public Boat Ramp, Chesapeake Beach, Register

Annapolis Film Festival Screening of Sheepdog

Decorated US Army combat Veteran Calvin Cole (Steven Grayhm), is court ordered into treatment and into the care of a VA trauma therapist in-training (Academy Award Nominee Virginia Madsen), who still works the night shift at a diner to pay for college. Things become even more complicated when Calvin's father-in-law and retired Vietnam Veteran (Emmy Nominee Vondie Curtis Hall), shows up on his doorstep, having just been released from prison. When Calvin's plan to run from the past blows up in his face, he learns through tough love and compassion that he must put himself back together again. This is the first film that truly explores the physical and psychological repercussions of trauma, with a focus on Post Traumatic Growth (PTG). It is an uplifting original story, inspired by countless first-hand accounts about recovery, redemption, and the journey of healing; themes that now mirror our post-pandemic zeitgeist.

Starring: Academy Award Nominee Virginia Madsen (Sideways), Emmy Nominee Vondie Curtis Hall (The Recruit), Tony Nominee Lilli Cooper (Broadway's Tootsie), SAG Nominee Dominic Fumusa (Nurse Jackie, Dexter), Matt Dallas (Kyel XY), and HFA Nominee Steven Grayhm (The Five People You Meet In Heaven).

(122 minutes | USA | 2025)

*Actor/Writer/Director Steven Grayhm, and actors Vondie Curtis Hall and Dominic Fumusa in attendance.

Flier      Poster    Tickets

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.

Future Events: Save the Date

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

April 23, 2025: Easterseals: Women Veteran Wednesdays

April 24, 2025: U.S. Navy Band Country Current, Prince Frederick

April 25, 2025: Veteran Stand Down 50, Cambridge

April 26: Team River Runner: Kayaking for Veterans, St. Mary’s River State Park, Leonardtown, Register

April 26, 2025: Veterans Stand Down 50, Salisbury

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

April 26, 2025: Fed Day for Displaced Federal Workers, Waldorf

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

April 30, 2025: Harford County Veteran Benefits Workshop, Edgewood

May 1, 2025: DAV/Recruit Military Hiring Event, Baltimore

May 3, 2025: 1st Annual Adaptive Sports Day, Annapolis

May 3: Team River Runner: Kayaking for Veterans, Public Boat Ramp, Chesapeake Beach, Register

May 4, 2025: 4th Annual Veterans Celebration of Carroll County, Westminster

May 13, 2025: Annapolis Vet Center Annual Open House, Annapolis

May 17, 2025: Lifeline Horse Rescue and LETS Program Spring Open House, Gaithersburg

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

June 5, 2025: Good Vibes & Voices Concert & Event, Elkridge

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.