Message from Acting Secretary Ross Cohen:

Dear Friends, This Memorial Day, I had the honor of joining Governor Moore, Lt. Governor Miller, and Marylanders across the state in remembering those who gave their lives in service to our country. We began the morning at Platoon 22 in Frederick, where the Governor and I spent time with local veterans for a heartfelt conversation about mental health and the importance of community. It was meaningful to reflect and connect with fellow veterans on such a solemn day. Later, Governor Moore and I traveled west to Rocky Gap Veterans Cemetery for their Memorial Day ceremony. The Governor laid a wreath alongside the family of Staff Sergeant Robert W. Hartsock, a Medal of Honor recipient who gave his life in Vietnam. His bravery and sacrifice continue to inspire, and it was a privilege to honor his memory with those who knew and loved him. That afternoon, Lt. Governor Miller hosted Gold Star families at the Orioles game, including members of Gold Star Mothers of Maryland and TAPS—the Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors. Memorial Day is not only a time to remember the fallen, but also to stand with the families who carry their legacy forward. Thank you to everyone who paused to honor the lives we’ve lost. May we always remember their service—and may we always care for those who carry the weight of that loss. Sincerely, Ross

DVMF Acting Secretary Ross Cohen speaks at the Memorial Day ceremony at Rocky Gap Veterans Cemetery.

Photo courtesy of the Executive Office of the Governor

Memorial Day Observance - TODAY

Friday, May 30, 2025

1:30 pm 

Eastern Shore Veterans Cemetery

6827 East New Market Ellwood Road, Hurlock, MD 21643

MDVA Cemetery and Memorials Program

James Johnson, Superintendent of Garrison Forest Veterans Cemetery led the Memorial Day observance at the cemetery located in Baltimore County.  Also in the photo is Lindsay Livingston, DVMF Director of Veteran & Military Family Programs who served as the keynote speaker during the ceremony.

WMAR2 News story

Dario DiBattista, Master of Ceremonies for the Memorial Day Observance at the Korean War Memorial in Baltimore City talks with the members of the 704th Military Intelligence Brigade Color Guard from Ft. George G. Meade. 

Mr. DiBattista, a Marine Corps Veteran, led the effort to resume Memorial Day ceremonies at the Korean War Memorial after a pause of seven years.

WMAR2 News story

More Information

DVMF IN THE NEWS

Check out our newest feature: DVMF stories and articles from around the state:

WMAR2 News story, Garrison Forest Veterans Cemetery

WMAR2 News story, Korean War Memorial

DelmarvaLife, WBOC News, Eastern Shore Veterans Cemetery

For more news and DVMF Press Releases

DVMF Website

The Maryland Veterans Trust Fund staff visited the Star Community which received a grant from the Maryland Veterans Service Animal Program. Star Community provides therapeutic equestrian services to Veterans and community members.

Moore-Miller Administration Honors Veterans, Service Members and Military Families Across the State for Memorial Day

Governor Wes Moore and the Moore-Miller Administration honored veterans, service members and their families' sacrifice with Memorial Day observances across the state.

“Memorial Day is a time to balm the wounds that never fully heal. This is a chance to remember not what took the lives of the fallen, but what gave them life: a love of service; a love of country; a knowledge that we are a nation worth fighting for,” said Gov. Moore. “Some passed recently. Some passed long ago. But all offer lessons about what it means to be a true American patriot. They remind us what courage looks like, and their legacy endures in every Marylander who serves.”

Governor Moore began the day with a roundtable discussion at Platoon 22 in Frederick, Maryland. Platoon 22 is a nonprofit veteran-focused service organization committed to ending veteran suicide by fostering meaningful connections and comprehensive support for veterans and military families.

Read More Here

Governor Moore thanks the Honor Guard at the Rocky Gap Veterans Cemetery Memorial Day observance.

Photos courtesy of the Executive Office of the Governor

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

We are pleased to invite you to the Ready, Set, GROW! Procurement Connections Workshop on June 10th at the MGM National Harbor. This exclusive event is designed to provide valuable insights into engaging with the State of Maryland and local partners in the surrounding region, empowering your business to grow and succeed. Learn how the State of Maryland's small, minority, women, and veteran procurement programs work, identify which agencies and departments buy what you sell, and meet procurement officers during the open networking session. You will also connect with various resource partners to learn more about their opportunities & small business services.  Register   Also check out the 2025 National Women Veterans' Day Entrepreneurship Conference on June 11th:

News from the Maryland Department of Natural Resources:

Day Pass Reservation System Now Online for Greenbrier and Sandy Point State Parks

Beginning today, visitors planning to attend Memorial Day weekend can make reservations at parkdayuse.maryland.gov. Reservations must be made online and can be made starting seven days in advance of a visit. Read more.

Point Lookout Lighthouse to Open to the Public Following Renovations

Visitors will be able to tour the lighthouse at the southern tip of Point Lookout State Park in St. Mary’s County five days per week–from Thursday through Monday–beginning on Thursday, May 15. The Department of Natural Resources began the renovation of the lighthouse in 2017. Read more

Maryland Oyster Stock Assessment Records Long-Term Increase In Oyster Abundance

The population of Maryland’s oysters has grown significantly in the past 20 years, according to the latest benchmark stock assessment released by the Department of Natural Resources and the University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science. Read more.

‘Big Tree Centennial Contest’ Offers Prizes for Exploring Maryland’s State Forests

In partnership with the Maryland Forest Service, the Maryland Big Tree Program is encouraging the public to explore Maryland state forest and to report back on any trees larger than 15 feet in circumference. Top prize for finding the biggest tree is $500.
Read more

Other Silver Spring Vet Center events:

Vet Center Walking Group

Service Dog Training Workshop

Federal News

New login for My HealtheVet

Breast Cancer Screening for Women Veterans

Veterans get life-saving cardiology care remotely

Virtual Care for Lung Health

Live Whole Health # 273: Get curious!

Live Whole Health #274: Jam-packed with fiber

Up your health & fitness game with VA health apps

VA supports caregivers with help and resources - Grieving ahead of time

Free career mentoring and guidance from America's top companies

Elevate your job search with these VA resources

Online course helps Veterans launch small business ideas

June 1st: Martinsburg VAMC Hosts Operation God Bless America Riders, Martinsburg, WV

The Department of Labor is offering Off Base Transition Training (OBTT) Workshops this summer:

June 27, 2026 in Silver Spring

July 10, 2025 in Brooklyn Park

OBTT is a Department of Labor program that provides free employment-focused workshops to veterans, members of the National Guard and Reserve, and their spouses, regardless of activation status or discharge timeframe.

These in-person and virtual workshops are designed to help participants navigate civilian employment, offering practical guidance on topics like:

• Resume writing
• Interview techniques
• Job search strategies
• Career exploration
• Federal employment opportunities
• Financial planning

More Information Here

Denise Nooe, DVMF speaks with a female Veteran at the recent Annapolis Vet Center Open House. Despite the rain, the event was well attended by Veterans and military-connected family members.

Photo credit: Del Estrella, U. S. Vet Center

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

May 30, 2025

Memorial Day Observance, Gaithersburg

May 31, 2025

The Mission Continues, Baltimore Platoon Volunteer Opportunity, Baltimore

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

June 1, 2025

American Legion Post 175 Blood Drive, Severna Park

Forest Bathing Walk for Veterans and Active Duty Military, Chevy Chase, More information, write: bradley.simpson@natureforward.org

Martinsburg VAMC Hosts Operation God Bless America Riders, Martinsburg, WV

June 3, 2025: 

Annual Army Alliance Dinner, Bel Air

Southern MD Veterans Open House, sponsored by Annapolis Vet Center, location: Prince Frederick

June 5, 2025: 

Good Vibes & Voices Concert & Event, Elkridge

June 6, 2025:

Gala to support Platoon 22, Frederick

Maryland VSBE & SBR Programs Certification Workshop Series, Largo

Team River Runner: Kayaking for Veterans, Sunset Paddle, Jefferson-Patterson Park and Museum, St. Leonard, Register

June 7, 2025

Baltimore Veterans Claims Clinic & Resource Fair, Baltimore

Veterans Academic & Community Resource Day, Lexington Park

Team River Runner: Kayaking for Veterans, Jefferson-Patterson Park and Museum, St. Leonard, Register

June 8, 2025

Harford County Army 250 Expo & Concert, Bel Air

June 9, 2025 

250th Army Birthday Volleyball Tournament, Ft. Meade

June 10, 2025

Ready, Set, Grow, Procurement Workshop, Oxon Hill

June 11, 2025

VA Caregiver Support Resource Fair, Ellicott City

June 12, 2025

Prince George's Community College Veteran Shark Tank, Clarksburg

Groundbreaking ceremony for the Howard County Veterans and Military Families Monument, Columbia Lakefront

Ft. Meade Night at the Chesapeake Baysox, Bowie, flier

Maryland's Commitment to Veterans Monthly Workshop Series, Virtual

June 13, 2025

Ft. Meade: Army's 250th Birthday Red, White & Blue Celebration

June 14, 2025

U.S. Army Birthday Ball at Ft. Meade

Joint Veterans Committee Veteran of the Year Recognition, Annapolis

Platoon 22 Salute & Serve Family Event, Sabillasville, Register

101.5 Bob Rocks .1K Run for Veterans benefitting Platoon 22, Hagerstown

Team River Runner: Kayaking for Veterans Family Paddle, Chancellor's Point Park, St. Mary's City, Register

Casting Hope: NAS Patuxent River Suicide Prevention Awareness Fishing Event, Lexington Park

June 17, 2025

Help, Healing and Hope Summit 2025, Arnold, Register

Doing Business with Maryland Casinos, Hanover

June 17 & 18, 2025

Maryland Defense Forum, Linthicum

June 18, 2025

Veteran Employment & Resource Day, White Plains

Community News

Blue Star Families 2025 Military Family Lifestyle Survey is now open. Please complete the survey here.

American Legion Post 259 in Clinton won First Place for Visual Media in the American Legion's National Media & Communication Contest.  See the winning entry here.

Maryland Second Best State for Military Retirees (WalletHub)

JTCC offers Adaptive Tennis for Veterans

On Sunday June 1st, Nature Forward will be hosting a forest bathing walk for veterans and active-duty service members at Woodend Nature Sanctuary. More information and a link to register is below!

Slow down, awaken your senses, and connect with nature as you experience a forest bathing walk at Woodend. Join naturalist and certified forest therapy guide Adria S. Zeldin for a soothing exploration and mindfulness walk through the forests at Woodend. We will meet outside of the main house at Woodend Sanctuary (8940 Jones Mill Rd. Chevy Chase, MD 20815) at 10 am. Register

Future Events: Save the Date

June 21, 2025:  VA Disability Claims Seminar, Bowie, Register

June 21, 2025: Team River Runner: Kayaking for Veterans Family Paddle, Smallwood State Park, Marbury, Register

June 24, 2025: Silver Spring Vet Center Open House, Silver Spring

June 25, 2025: Prince George's County Base Camp, Virtual

June 27, 2025: Serving Together offering Mental Health First Aid training, Frederick, Flier

June 28, 2025: CRAB: Military Sailing Days, Annapolis

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

July 30, 2025: CRAB: Military Sailing Days, Annapolis

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.