Message from Acting Secretary Ed Rothstein

Dear Friends, I have only been the Acting Secretary of the Maryland Department of Veterans and Military Families for a week, but I already have so many people to acknowledge for their support as I begin this new role. Of course, I thank Governor Wes Moore for the trust he has shown in me by appointing me to lead this Department. I know I have inherited a stellar staff at DVMF who are dedicated to serving Veterans and military families and I value the opportunity to work with them. To the colleagues who have reached out to me, both military and civilian - I appreciate your offer of help and your thoughtful comments on how we all can move Maryland forward for the military connected community. My family has always been the source of my strength, whether I was deployed far from home, running the “city” of Ft. Meade, working on economic development in Anne Arundel County or serving as a Commissioner in Carroll County. I am grateful to Audrey, Sam and Emily for standing with me. It is an honor to serve you and I look forward to hearing from you. Sincerely, Ed

Governor Moore hosted a Veterans roundtable with DVMF Acting Secretary Ed Rothstein.

Video

DVMF Website

Ceremonies for unaccompanied Veterans were held at three of Maryland's Veteran Cemeteries on July 25th.  This photo was taken at the Crownsville Veterans Cemetery ceremony. DVMF hosts these Unaccompanied Veterans Ceremonies to ensure that every Veteran is acknowledged and their name is spoken aloud again at their final resting place.

Charlotte Hall Veterans Home received a donation from the owners and operators of Sneade's Ace Home Center in the amount of $8,000.00 for the residents of the Home. These proceeds were generated from their local round-up efforts in May of this year at all four store locations in Southern Maryland (Charlotte Hall, Owings, Lusby & Leonardtown). Thank you to the staff and customers who took the time to participate in the fundraiser.

The Charlotte Hall Veterans Assistance Fund donations are used to assist the residents for items such as dental work and optometry needs, Final Honors arrangements, personal care items such as toiletries, and recreational activities in and outside the Home. 

In this photo are: Keith Streicher, Chair, Maryland Veterans Home Commission, John Lombardi, Charlotte Hall Director, Dana Sneade Banyasz and Ben Banyasz, Sneade's Ace Home Center, and Rodney Jones, Charlotte Hall Deputy Director, DVMF

The Maryland Veterans Trust Fund (VTF) staff is excited to welcome Mauricio Reyes into our team as a veteran support navigator. Mo is our department’s constituent services lead. The VTF now provides wrap-around services, including care coordination, which includes referral services and support for individual applicants with resources beyond financial assistance. 

Pictured: Jametta Richmond, Jonathan Bailey, Mauricio Reyes, and Heather Geraldes, are the staff team who work with the individual grant program. Not pictured is our Service Animal Program grant specialist, Toni Gianforti.

Governor Wes Moore hosted a roundtable with Carroll County veterans to discuss the administration’s efforts to improve quality of life for veterans and military families in Maryland. The roundtable was convened in partnership with the Maryland Department of Veterans and Military Families to mark a new chapter of leadership for the department under Acting Secretary Ed Rothstein’s leadership. 

“I want to say to Carroll County, and to all our veterans: we’ve still got your back,” said Gov. Moore. “We are here to talk to veterans about our work to uplift Marylanders who serve, even if the federal government won’t. And as we work to deliver results for our veterans, we are proud to have Ed Rothstein at the helm of the Department of Veterans and Military Families to ensure that Maryland continues to step up.”

“Our veterans and military families are not just the backbone of our national strength—they are the heartbeat of our shared values,” said Maryland Department of Veterans and Military Families Acting Secretary Ed Rothstein. “This is not just about a department, it is about a community. I am here to listen, to learn, and then lead together to continue making Maryland the place to be for our veterans and military families.”

Governor Moore and Acting Secretary Rothstein joined local veterans at the Westminster Senior and Community Center. Veterans shared stories about their experience transitioning from active duty to finding their next mission in Maryland and discussed the impact of the state’s work to support servicemembers, veterans and their families.

Under the Moore-Miller Administration, Maryland expanded economic opportunities for veterans by successfully advancing approximately $184 million in procurement awards to certified veteran-owned small businesses. The administration also increased the military retirement income tax exemption for veterans through the Keep our Heroes Home Act—part of the governor’s first legislative agenda after taking office. To support the spouses of Maryland’s servicemembers and veterans, the governor in 2024 signed the Families Serve Act, which incentivizes both businesses and state governments to provide hiring preferences for military spouses.

Maryland’s work to support servicemembers, veterans and military families continues despite unprecedented cuts to federal programs that many rely on, including benefits administered by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs and crucial programs like Medicaid and SNAP. 

In Maryland, 23,100 veterans rely on Medicaid for health care coverage—the federal budget bill signed this month by the Trump Administration makes extensive cuts, jeopardizing coverage for 175,000 Marylanders on Medicaid. Additionally, more than 684,000 Marylanders—including 21,000 veterans—could lose access to vital food assistance programs due to federal SNAP cuts.

News from the Maryland Developmental Disabilities Council

Eight listening sessions (4 in-person and 4 virtual) for Military Families of People with Developmental Disabilities have been scheduled in September - October.

• Bethesda - September 9th and 10th, Virtual Meeting Link
• Indian Head - September 16th and 18th, Virtual Meeting Link
• Annapolis - September 24th and 25th, Virtual Meeting Link
• Patuxent River - September 30th and October 1st, Virtual Meeting Link

The Maryland National Guard offers Fireside Chats with the Soldier & Family Readiness Program.  Learn about the program as well as community resources by joining one of the Fireside Chats.  Flier and Registration

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. Option 3 is no longer available. Wait times vary. More information can be found on 988's What to Expect and FAQ pages.

News from the Maryland Department of Natural Resources

Maryland Department of Natural Resources Introduces New ‘MD Outdoors’ App

MD Outdoors will be the official app for the state’s outdoor enthusiasts, hunters, and anglers, replacing the AccessDNR app. Users will need to remove the old app and download a free, updated version from the DNR website. The MD Outdoors app was developed alongside the department’s new licensing system, which provides an easier-to-navigate interface, auto-renew options, and other upgrades in a convenient one-stop shop. Read more.

Shooting Qualification Sessions Available for Maryland Hunters

The Maryland Department of Natural Resources has posted its schedule of shooter qualification sessions for the 2025 season, which allow hunters to take the necessary proficiency test  to participate in many of the state’s managed deer hunts scheduled in the fall and winter. Additional sessions may be available upon reservation. Read more.

Search Our State Forests for the Biggest Tree

The Maryland Big Tree Program and Maryland Forest Service offer the Big-Tree Centennial Contest through Labor Day. Explore Maryland state forests and report back on any trees larger than 15 feet in circumference. Top prize for finding the biggest tree – $500. Second gets $400, third gets $300, fourth gets $200 and fifth gets $100. It's citizen science meets treasure hunt! Read more.

Chasing a Slippery Predator: Eight Places to Target Maryland’s Chesapeake Channa

The Chesapeake Channa, or snakehead, has developed a dedicated following in the sportfishing community–even though they’ve been an unwelcome addition to Maryland waterways. These invasive predators known primarily as snakeheads were coined Chesapeake Channa by the Maryland General Assembly in 2024. 

Whatever you call this fish, Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) fisheries biologists and avid anglers have seen populations of Channa in Maryland grow since their arrival in 2002. They have spread rapidly through the Potomac River watershed and established a strong presence in nearly every tributary of the Chesapeake Bay. Though they are considered a freshwater fish, Chesapeake Channa can tolerate moderate salinity and have been observed in the saltiest parts of the Chesapeake Bay, where rates range from 10% to 12%. Decreases in salinity from heavy rainfall and flooding increases dispersal of the species, enabling the fish to spread from rivermouths to the Bay’s mainstem, and into nearby rivers. Read more.

Maryland Department of Natural Resources Announces Horse Racing to Return at Fair Hill Turf Track

Horse racing will return this summer to the turf track at Fair Hill Natural Resources Management Area in Cecil County, providing new opportunities for economic development through outdoor recreation and equine events.

The turf track inside the Fair Hill Special Event Zone is scheduled to reopen to racing on Aug. 30 following the completion of an infrastructure modernization project, which included the construction of a sand-based turf course of Kentucky bluegrass with a state-of-the-art irrigation system, the first course of its kind in Maryland. Fair Hill is an economic engine and cultural touchpoint for Cecil County and the broader mid-Atlantic region. Fair Hill helps Maryland maintain its status as an equestrian epicenter by hosting major horse shows and racing events as well as other recreational opportunities. Read more.

Ensure military and veteran women claim their rightful place in history – at the Military Women’s Memorial. Register Here

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Preparing for natural disasters

Department of Labor Off-Base Transition Training for Veterans

The U.S. Department of Labor’s Veterans’ Employment and Training Service (VETS) is offering free, in-person Off-Base Transition Training (OBTT) workshops in the Capital Region, Western MD, and Southern MD.

These workshops are designed to support veterans, National Guard members, Reservists, and their spouses with practical, hands-on training to support their transition and career development—whether they’re looking for a federal job, exploring the private sector, or planning long-term financial stability.

Upcoming topics include:

• Federal Employment 101
• Resume Essentials
• LinkedIn & Networking
• Interview Skills
• Financial Planning for Transition

Registration link and full schedule

Note: There is also a Spirit of 45 Ceremony being held at the Baltimore National Cemetery, 5501 Frederick Avenue, Baltimore, MD 21228 at 2:00 pm on August 14th. More information in this flier.

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

August 9, 2025

Blue Star Families at the Calvert Marine Museum, Solomons

August 11, 2025

Service Puppy Yoga, Frederick

August 12, 2025

Transitioning service members are invited to a virtual Corporate Fellowship Information Session

August 14, 2025

The Spirit of 45 Ceremony to commemorate the legacy and sacrifice of WWII Veterans, Baltimore National Cemetery

August 16, 2025

Mental Health Awareness & Suicide Prevention Project, Nanjemoy, Therapeutic Horticulture

Wellspring of Life Farms Discovery Times for Military & First Responder Families, Monkton

The Mission Continues: volunteer service project at Baltimore Montessori Public Charter School

August 17, 2025

Jewish War Veterans Post 167 Annual Summer Cookout, Reisterstown

August 19, 2025

Blue Star Families: Coffee Connect, Belair

August 20, 2025

PACT Act Claims Clinic, Baltimore, Register

Easterseals: Women Veteran Wednesdays, Virtual

Military Spouse Fellowships Information Session, virtual

Blue Star Families: Coffee Connect, Prince Frederick

August 21, 2025

Blue Star Families: Coffee Connect, Hanover (Ft. Meade)

August 27, 2025

UMGC MilVet Net 2025, Adelphi

CRAB: Military Sailing Days

Prince George's County Veterans Base Camp, Virtual

August 28, 2025

Veteran and Community Mini Job & Resource Fair, Eastpoint

September 6, 2025

We All Serve Hike, Street

September 8, 2025

Mental Health Awareness, Temple Hills

Community News

Heroes on the Water - Paddle, Fish, Heal

The Salute Military Golf Association - Fall Clinics begin September 13th

JTCC - Veterans Tennis Program

Mission Redefine - Group EMDR Therapy for Veterans, 1st Responders, Spouses and Caregivers

Blue Star Welcome Week - September 27th - October 5th

Howard County seeking Grand Marshall Nominations for Veterans Day Parade

The Mission Continues announces next project:

Event Name: Playground Renewal at Baltimore Montessori Public Charter School

Date/Time:  August 16, 2025 09:00 AM-02:00 PM

Event Location: Baltimore Montessori Public Charter School 1600 Guilford Ave Baltimore MD 21202

Registration Link

New schedule from Mission Belonging

Military Voices - August 7th & 21st, September 4th & 18th 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.

Artist Trading Cards (ATC) with Nerissa Alford - August 13th at 7pm EST (VIRTUAL)

Join Military Spouse, Nerissa Alford, to learn more about Artist Trading Cards (ATC). ATCs are a way to exchange art with other artists. There are very few rules; the substrate is 3.5”x2.5”, normally the backs are signed, dated, titled, etc. & they are never sold, just traded. You can use any medium to decorate your cards. This is a fun way to try new techniques, reuse unfinished art pieces, & repurpose/recycle junk mail & other paper scraps. If you’re coming to A Day of Belonging this would be a great way to introduce yourself to other attendees. No experience necessary. Register HERE. For a full list of visual art programs, check out our website.

A Day of Belonging - In Person Event - September 13th

Join us for our third annual Day of Belonging scheduled for Saturday, September 13th, 2025. This event will provide Veterans, Active Duty Military, their spouses and caregivers, and community members with a day of professionally-facilitated expressive arts workshops, as well as performances and readings. Please join us to connect authentically and explore your own voice through creative writing, improv, visual art and music. Registration is open! There is a $5 non-refundable registration fee for this event. This event is open to all. Donations are accepted and will go towards offsetting travel costs for facilitators and Veteran participants. Check out https://missionbelonging.org/dayofbelonging/ for more details.

More Than One Story - Next Virtual Orientations - August 12th (Virtual)

Join Mission Belonging 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.missionbelonging.org/mtos for more details. This program is partially funded by the SSG Parker Gordon Fox Suicide Prevention Grant Program through the VA.

See the full list of programs at https://missionbelonging.org/events/. For more information, email info@missionbelonging.org.

News from ServingTogether

At ServingTogether, we provide local veteran resources, information and services to active duty service members, veterans,  family National Gurard/Reserves, 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 website  https://www.everymind.org/servingtogether/ and complete the Get Assistance Now form on the website, or call 1-855-738-7176.

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:  website  https://www.everymind.org/servingtogether/

Team River Runner offers multiple opportunities in Maryland to kayak:

Aug 8: Team River Runner: Kayaking for Veterans Full Moon Paddle, Mallows Bay, Marbury, Register

Aug 9: Team River Runner: Kayaking for Veterans Fossil Paddle, Mallows Bay, Marbury, Register

Aug 10: Team River Runner: Kayaking for Veterans Sunday Family Paddle, Riley's Lock, Poolsville, Register

Aug 13: Team River Runner: Kayaking for Veterans White Water Wednesday, Lock 6, Bethesda, Register

Project Opportunity has started enrolling for free entrepreneurship classes for the Fall:

Baltimore Class, Orientation on Tuesday, September 2nd, Registration

Southern Maryland Class - Waldorf, Orientation on Monday, August 25th, Registration

Military Spouse & Military Dependents Class - Waldorf, Orientation on Monday August 25th, Registration

Harford County Class - Aberdeen, Orientation on Wednesday, September 3rd, Registration

Future Events: Save the Date

September 13, 2025: A Day of Belonging, Potomac

September 13, 2025: Blue Star Families Service Saturdays, Beach Cleanup, Pasadena

September 13, 2025: US Army Blues Band at Greenbelt American Legion Post 136

September 15, 2025: Golf Tournament supporting Platoon 22, Myersville

September 15, 2025:Voices of Vets Annual Voiceraiser, Jessup

September 17, 2025: Ft. Meade Community Job Fair, Ft. Meade

September 20, 2025: Veteran Fireside Chat: Stories of Hope and Recovery, Annapolis Neck

September 20, 2025: Wellspring of Life Farm Military & First Responder Discovery Days, Monkton

September 24, 2025: CRAB: Military Sailing Days

September 24, 2025: Prince George's County Boot Camp, Virtual

September 26, 2025: Mental Health First Aid Training, Frederick

September 27, 2025: Veteran Owned Small Business Expo, Columbia

October 6, 2025: Mental Health Awareness, Temple Hills

October 8, 2025: Union Trades Career Fair, Sparrows Point

October 15, 2025: CRAB: Military Sailing Days

October 24, 2025: Ft. Meade Retiree Appreciation Day, McGill Training Center, Ft. Meade

November 1, 2025: Stars, Stripes & Chow fundraiser for Baltimore Station, Camden Yards

November 7, 2025: St. Mary's County Veterans Resource Day, California

November 8, 2025: Baltimore County 3rd Annual Veterans Day Celebration & Resource Fair, Towson University

November 8, 2025: Veterans Day Parade, Baltimore City

November 8, 2025: Greenwell Foundation Fundraiser, Boots & BBQ Hoedown, Hollywood

November 9, 2025: Howard County Veterans Day Parade, Columbia

November 10, 2025: DVNF Veterans Resource Fair, Silver Spring

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.