Message from Acting Secretary Ed Rothstein

Dear Friends, Did you know that the Maryland Department of Veterans & Military Families provides assistance to Veterans and family members who are filing applications for benefits from the United States Department of Veterans Affairs?  VA claims assistance is a service the state of Maryland offers you.  There is no charge for the DVMF Benefits Specialists to assist you.  All DVMF Benefits Specialists are accredited by the United States VA. This week, I am very pleased to announce the opening of another DVMF Service & Benefits office.  Located in the Annapolis Service Center of the Maryland Motor Vehicle Administration, Benefits Specialist Kiana Hinton stands ready to assist you. Thank you to Chrissy Nizer, Maryland Motor Vehicle Administrator for her outstanding support of the DVMF mission to serve Veterans & military families.  DVMF Benefits Specialists are now staffing offices in eight MVA locations across the state. If we may be of assistance to you, please contact any of the DVMF Service & Benefits offices to schedule an appointment. Sincerely, Ed

Kiana Hinton is the Benefits Specialist working at the Annapolis MVA.  This is a new location for DVMF benefits services!

DVMF Website

Colonel Jun Oh, Joint Base Andrews Installation Commander and DVMF Acting Secretary Ed Rothstein participated in a fireside chat at a recent Mission Strong summit, discussing the challenges facing military connected families and the support network to help.

Joint Base Andrews News Article

Weis Markets executives and staff opened a new store in Charlotte Hall, MD and as part of the celebration, Charlotte Hall Veterans Home received a donation of $1,500. 

In this photo are: Pamela Grzyb, Assistant Administrator-Pruitt Health, Ed Rothstein, DVMF Acting Secretary, John Lombardi, Director-Charlotte Hall Veterans Home and Emily Kanavage, Assistant Administrator-Pruitt Health.

We here at DVMF send our sincere thanks to everyone at Weis Markets for this generous donation.

Southern Maryland News article

Many resources and services were available to Veterans at the Claims Clinic and Resource Fair held in Baltimore this week.  DVMF and the U.S. VA Baltimore Regional office staff partner on these claims clinics. If you need assistance with your benefits, please contact one of the DVMF Service & Benefits offices to schedule an appointment.

Governor Wes Moore and Lt. Governor Aruna Miller participated in the Maryland Association of Counties conference last week.  In this photo, Governor Moore is providing the closing address at the conference.

Governor Moore Attends 2025 Maryland Association of Counties Summer Conference

Lt. Governor Aruna Miller greets DVMF Acting Secretary Ed Rothstein at the Maryland Association of Counties conference.

Acting Secretary Rothstein attends Governor Moore's keynote address to MACo's attendees.

Photos courtesy of the Executive Office of the Governor

Spotlight on Education: UMGC

The Governor's Office of Small, Minority and Women Business Affairs Statewide Business Events Calendar

HERE

Leave No One Behind! As a unit of the Executive Department, the Governor's Office of Small, Minority & Women Business Affairs connects members of the small, minority, women, and veteran business communities to greater economic opportunities. Learn more by visiting our website at goMDsmallbiz.maryland.gov and connect with us on Facebook, LinkedIn, and X (formerly Twitter).

Vietnam Traveling Memorial Wall Coming to Maryland

October 9 - 13, 2025

New Windsor Fire Department Carnival Grounds, 101 High Street, New Windsor

More Information

Flier

News from the Maryland Motor Vehicle Administration

I Want to Add the Veterans Status to My Driver's License or ID Card  ​The MVA offers a veteran designation on a driver’s license or identification (ID) card for qualifying veterans. The designation indicates that you are a United States veteran and makes you eligible for certain benefits.  "Veteran" means an individual who served in the armed forces of the United States, other than for training, and was discharged or released honorably. I Need to Obtain a Veteran CDL Skills Test Waiver To assist veterans and active-duty personnel who are transitioning to a civilian career, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA)​ adopted regulations that expedite the licensing process for a commercial driver’s license (CDL).  The MVA will waive the CDL skills test​ requirements for a class A or B commercial license for veterans who have been discharged within the previous 12 months, or  active duty personnel, reservists and national guard personnel who meet specific criteria. Lic​ense Plates 100% Disabled Veterans receive free registration for all license plate types.  Disabled veteran license plates are issued in recognition of a resident’s military service-related injuries. If you are a veteran who is rated at 100% disabled​ you can receive your license plates FREE of charge. The license plates are printed in two formats: with or without the universal symbol for disability (wheelchair). 50-99% Disabled Veterans license plate types. ​ Disabled veterans who have a service-connected disability rating or unemployability rating of 50-99% are issued license plates in recognition of their military service-related injuries. If you are a veteran who is rated at 50-99% disabled, you can receive your license plates FREE of charge but will still pay the annual/ bi-annual registration fees and surcharge. The license plates are printed without the universal symbol for disability (wheelchair) and have the words "Disabled Veteran" on the bottom of the plate.   For More Information

News from the Maryland Department of Natural Resources

Waterfowl Hunting Schedule Set for 2025-26 Season at Deal Island and Fairmount Wildlife Management Area Impoundments

Applications for hunting permits at the two lower Eastern Shore locations are due Sept. 8. Permits for the regular duck season will be issued by lottery, and allow the hunter and up to two additional guests to hunt on the dates for which they are chosen. Read more.

Federal News

"I'm fine." But are you really?

VA opens doors for unhoused Veterans

Helping incarcerated Veterans find hope and resources

HUD-VASH advocates for unhoused Veteran

VA NEWS: How VA Home Loans Help Veterans Buy Homes in a Tough Market, video

A Veteran's guide to navigating property taxes and insurance costs

VA Resources for Native Veterans

Now available: VA Headache Coach app

Vaccines can help keep you healthy

Live Whole Health #285: Five easy ways to manage stress

Live Whole Health #256: Your body needs some love

FINVET: The National Veterans Financial Resource Center, video

How to Verify Enrollment for GI Bill Students, video

SBA: Boots to Business, Reboot  and Military Spouse Pathway to Business

Translate your military skills to a civilian career

Blue Star Families: Finding family in shared experiences

VSafe - Protect yourself from fraud

Enter to win a new Toyota

VFW elects Carol Whitmore as First Female National Commander, VFW news article

National Purple Heart Honor Mission

We are currently seeking nominees for our 2026 Purple Heart Patriot Project Mission. Each mission provides an all-expense paid trip to Purple Heart recipients from across the country to visit the museum dedicated as a tribute to their service and other historic sites connected with the Purple Heart. You can find our recent announcement on Facebook HERE, on LinkedIn HERE and on Instagram HERE.  Each mission is comprised of one Purple Heart recipient representing their fellow Purple Heart heroes from their state. The 2026 Mission is scheduled for April 2026, and the nomination deadline is Friday, September 26. For additional details and to complete the nomination form, visit https://www.purpleheartmission.org/patriot-project-nomination-overview-1.

Our other major ongoing project is the expansion of the national Roll of Honor, housed at the National Purple Heart Hall of Honor, which was recently featured in a special email alert from the Department of Veterans Affairs. The enrollment process can be completed online by visiting https://www.purpleheartmission.org/register-for-the-roll-of-honor. Additionally, if members would be agreeable to record their stories for our ongoing Stories of Valor series, we they can email press@purpleheartmission.org. 

The Honor Mission is a NY-based 501c3 that was the driving force in the founding of the National Purple Heart Hall of Honor, and other tributes to our Purple Heart heroes.

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 27, 2025

UMGC MilVet Net 2025, Adelphi

CRAB: Military Sailing Days

Prince George's County Veterans Base Camp, Virtual

Blue Star Families - Virtual Mingle & Chat for Parents of Active-Duty Service Members

Blue Star Families - Understanding the Unique Challenges and Needs of Veteran Families, Virtual

August 28, 2025

Serving Together: Women Community Veteran Engagement Board, virtual, registration

Veteran and Community Mini Job & Resource Fair, Eastpoint

Blue Star Families - Mingle & Chat for Caregivers and Exceptional Family Members Program Families, virtual

August 29, 2025

Platoon 22  - Pack the Park with the Frederick Keys, Frederick

September 2, 2025

Blue Star Families Coffee Connect, Brandywine

September 6, 2025

We All Serve Hike, Street

Blue Star Families Chesapeake Baysox Blue Star Welcome Week, Bowie

September 8, 2025

Mental Health Awareness, Temple Hills

September 9, 2025

Psych Armor Suicide Prevention & Financial Wellness Training, Virtual

September 10, 2025

Martinsburg VAMC Suicide Prevention Walk 2025, Martinsburg, WV

The Parents Place of Maryland offers Tactical Advocacy: School Year Strategies for Military Families, Register

September 12, 2025

Ready, Set, Grow Procurement & Workforce Connections Workshop, Flintstone

9/11 Tribute Event, Frederick

September 13, 2025

A Day of Belonging, Potomac

Blue Star Families Service Saturdays, Beach Cleanup, Pasadena

US Army Blues Band at Phillips-Kleiner American Legion Post 5627, College Park

Blue Star Families Southern Maryland Blue Crabs Blue Star Welcome Week, Waldorf

September 15, 2025

Golf Tournament supporting Platoon 22, Myersville

Voices of Vets Annual Voiceraiser, Jessup

September 16, 2025

SBA Small Business Resource Day for Central Maryland, Perry Hall

September 17, 2025

Ft. Meade Community Job Fair, Ft. Meade

Career Fair, Goodwill Industries of Monocacy Valley, Frederick

September 20, 2025 

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

Wellspring of Life Farm Military & First Responder Discovery Days, Monkton

Community News

The Parents Place of Maryland offers Tactical Advocacy: School Year Strategies for Military Families, Register

Memorial in Newburg, MD to be dedicated to veteran service dogs, Southern MD News article

Mission Beelieve's free Fall Intro Beekeeping Course is open for Registration

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

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

UPDATE: Military Spouse & Military Dependents Class - Largo, Orientation on Wednesday, September 10th, Registration

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

News from Mission Belonging

Military Voices - August 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.

 United Against Silence - In Person Event - September 12th

Join Mission Belonging for United Against Silence, a Community Showcase. An evening of poetry & performances by the Mission Belonging Community, hosted by Seema Reza. Light refreshments will be served. This event is free and open to all (ages 16+). Donations are accepted and will go towards offsetting travel costs for facilitators and Veteran participants attending A Day of Belonging. Register at: https://UASCommunityShowcase.eventbrite.com

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 - October 14th (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.

Kayaking Opportunities for Maryland Veterans with Team River Runner

Aug 23: Team River Runner: Kayaking for Veterans Saturday Family Paddle, Greenwell State Park, Hollywood, Register

Aug 24: Team River Runner: Kayaking for Veterans Sunday Family Paddle, Riley's Lock, Poolsville, Register

Aug 27: Team River Runner: Kayaking for Veterans White Water Wednesday, Lock 6, Bethesda, Register

Aug 30: Team River Runner: Kayaking for Veterans Paddle & Pawpaw Picking, Friendship landing, Nanjemoy, Register

Aug 31: Team River Runner: Kayaking for Veterans Sunday Family Paddle, Riley's Lock, Poolsville, Register

Sep 3: Team River Runner: Kayaking for Veterans White Water Wednesday, Lock 6, Bethesda, Register

Sep 5: Team River Runner: Kayaking for Veterans Full Moon Paddle, Mallows Bay, Marbury, Register

Sep 6: Team River Runner: Kayaking for Veterans Saturday Family Paddle, Hallowing Point Boat Ramp, Prince Frederick, Register

Sep 7: Team River Runner: Kayaking for Veterans Sunday Family Paddle, Riley's Lock, Poolsville, Register

Sep 10: Team River Runner: Kayaking for Veterans White Water Wednesday, Lock 6, Bethesda, Register

Sep 13: Team River Runner: Kayaking for Veterans DC Monuments, Columbia Island Marina, Arlington VA, Register

Sep 14: Team River Runner: Kayaking for Veterans Sunday Family Paddle, Riley's Lock, Poolsville, Register

Sep 17: Team River Runner: Kayaking for Veterans White Water Wednesday, Lock 6, Bethesda, Register

Sep 20: Team River Runner: Kayaking for Veterans Saturday Family Paddle, St, Mary's River State Park, Leonardtown, Register

Sep 21: Team River Runner: Kayaking for Veterans Sunday Family Paddle, Riley's Lock, Poolsville, Register

Sep 24: Team River Runner: Kayaking for Veterans White Water Wednesday, Lock 6, Bethesda, Register

Sep 27: Team River Runner: Kayaking for Veterans - RiverFest!, St. Mary's City, Register

Sep 28: Team River Runner: Kayaking for Veterans Sunday Family Paddle, Riley's Lock, Poolsville, Register

Oct 1: Team River Runner: Kayaking for Veterans White Water Wednesday, Lock 6, Bethesda, Register

Future Events: Save the Date

September 23, 2025: Frederick County Reentry Job Fair/Career Expo

September 23, 2025: Government Contracting for Small Contractors - Maryland Construction Opportunities, Virtual

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

September 27, 2025: MOAA, Ft. Meade Chapter monthly meeting, Hanover

October 4, 2025: Ft. Detrick Color Run/Walk 5K, Frederick

October 6, 2025: Mental Health Awareness, Temple Hills

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

October 9 - 13, 2025: Vietnam Traveling Memorial Wall, New Windsor

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.