Message from Acting Secretary Ed Rothstein

Dear Friends, Today, I am happy to announce the redesigned DVMF website.  DVMF partnered with the Maryland Department of Information Technology (DoIT) beginning nearly two years ago, to update and transform the website into a modern platform built to better serve Maryland’s Veterans, service members and their families. The new site features a sleek design, improved navigation, mobile-friendly accessibility, and a layout that makes it easier to explore benefits, services, and resources. Enhanced search tools, streamlined forms, and updated content ensure users can quickly find what they need—from filing VA claims to connecting with local support programs.  DVMF’s new website reflects the agency’s commitment to staying current with technology while keeping the military-connected community at the heart of its services. Visit the new website by clicking the button below. Sincerely, Ed

DVMF Website

Acting Secretary Ed Rothstein and DVMF staff joined Travis Manion Foundation's 9/11 Heroes Run in Annapolis. Acting Secretary Rothstein participated in the opening ceremony, and joined DVMF staff member, Lindsay Livingston, in running the 5k alongside 850 community members, honoring the lives lost on September 11, 2001. This event reflects DVMF's commitment to supporting Veterans, families of the fallen, and the communities that remember their sacrifice. We encourage you to take part in local events that honor service and build community. Find out more about the Travis Manion Foundation here.

On Friday, September 12th, staff from DVMF volunteered at Baltimore Station, cooking and serving dinner for 45 Veterans. This effort was part of the Maryland Joins Forces September service campaign, which brings partners and the community together to support Veterans and military families across the state. We thank Baltimore Station and our volunteers for their partnership and hospitality. Looking for ways to get involved? Find out more about Baltimore Station here, and Maryland Joins Forces here.

Heather Geraldes, Executive Director of the Maryland Veterans Trust Fund  joined Habitat for Humanity of Wicomico County and other volunteers for their third 9/11 Day of Service and Remembrance. The project included a yard beautification and deck repair for a U.S. Army veteran. Secretary Jake Day from the Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development also participated in the project and gave a welcome message that morning. 

The Maryland Veterans Home Commission met recently at Charlotte Hall Veterans Home.  

Crusin' Southern Maryland fundraiser benefits

Charlotte Hall Veterans Home residents:

The Maryland Department of Service and Civic Innovation turned out in force for a day of service at Crownsville Veterans Cemetery.  These dedicated individuals cleaned 264 niche covers for the columbaria and scrubbed the headstones in Section 3 which contains over 1,700 headstones. We here at DVMF appreciate their hard work.

Governor Moore Launches Third Maryland Corps and Service Year Option Cohort During 9/11 Day of Service and Remembrance

Governor Wes Moore launched the third cohort of Maryland Corps and Service Year Option members during the 9/11 Day of Service and Remembrance at the University of Maryland, College Park. The nearly 600 members in attendance today will serve with more than 200 host site partners representing non-profit organizations, businesses, and more than 20 government agencies. Read More Here

Photos courtesy of the Executive Office of the Governor

Acting DVMF Secretary Ed Rothstein also attended the Department of Service and Civic Innovation (DSCI) ceremony and spoke to the participants.

Spotlight on Education: Prince George's Community College

Spotlight on Education: Towson University

Maryland Joins Forces Partner Initiative

The Maryland Department of Veterans and Military Families, the Maryland State Department of Education, and the Elizabeth Dole Foundation are teaming up for a community donation drive benefiting Southern Maryland’s Purple Star Schools and Charlotte Hall Veterans Home. All September long, help us support military-connected students and veteran families by donating classroom supplies and everyday essentials they need to thrive.

Southern Maryland Purple Star Schools Supply Drive

Charlotte Hall Veterans Home Donation List

News from the Maryland Department of Natural Resources:

Maryland’s Early Teal Season Opens September 18

The season will be open from Sept. 18 through Sept. 27 in the September Teal Hunting Zone. Shooting hours are one half-hour before sunrise until sunset, the daily bag limit is six teal (blue or green-winged), and the possession limit is 18 teal, or three times the daily bag limit. All migratory game bird hunters, including landowners who are license-exempt, must possess a valid Maryland Migratory Game Bird Stamp/Harvest Information Program permit. Read more.

Maryland Fall Foliage Preview 2025

Fall officially begins on Sept. 22, but we’re expecting to see color changes in the coming weeks. Our weekly reports featuring observations from DNR foresters, naturalists, and rangers throughout the state will be posted every Thursday into November. Maryland had a typical spring and early summer with rainfall amounts at or just below normal levels, which points to a colorful fall. Read more.

Maryland Experiencing Hemorrhagic Disease Outbreak in White-tailed Deer

The largest outbreak in the state appears to be in Anne Arundel, Baltimore, Howard, Montgomery, and Prince George’s counties.  While often fatal to deer, the disease poses no threat to humans. Read more.

Second Annual Maryland Outdoor Recreation Summit Takes Place Oct. 28-30 in Baltimore City

The Maryland Department of Natural Resources’ Office of Outdoor Recreation is accepting registrations to attend the 2025 Maryland Outdoor Recreation Summit, happening October 28-30 in Baltimore City. The summit will feature outdoor excursions, dynamic speakers and sessions, networking, and social events. Read more.

Federal News

The Veterans Crisis Line is ready to support all Veterans

VA honors last surviving member of historic "Six Triple Eight" Battalion

Maryland Veterans Creative Arts Competition Results

VA Telehealth brings care directly to Veterans

What is the Federal Electronic Health Record?

Virtual Care for Heart Health

Virtual Care for Diabetes Management

Women Veterans: You deserve to be safe

Healthy aging for women Veterans: What you can do today for a stronger tomorrow

Your sexual health matters: VA is her for women Veterans

The Role of Mental Health Care in Whole Health at VA

Beyond crisis response: How Compassionate Contact Corps uses human connection to transform suicide prevention

Live Whole Health #289: September is National Yoga Awareness Month

Live Whole Health #290: Compassion is your battle buddy

Free online course helps Veterans launch small business ideas

Get free job hunting guidance from mentors at 1,500 companies

What to know about new federal resume requirements

November 1, 2025: Winterhaven Homeless Veterans Stand Down, VA DC Medical Center

Veterans Medicare 101

Veterans Medicare 101 explores how Medicare benefits align with VA healthcare and other services to maximize your healthcare coverage. We’ll discuss additional resources like dental, vision, gym memberships, and Part B reductions tailored to veterans. Join us to learn how to make the most of your benefits and access the care you deserve.

September 19th: Severn Library

November 5th: Odenton Library

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

September 19, 2025

Veteran Career Fair, Martinsburg

Women Veterans Breakfast, Lexington Park

September 20, 2025 

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

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

Annual DAV Family & Friends Fun Day, Ft. Meade

Veteran Service Dog Memorial Dedication, Newburg

Veterans Day Cookout, Elks Lodge, Camp Springs

American Legion Post 46 fundraiser to support holiday turkeys for homeless Veterans, Washington, DC

September 23, 2025

ServingTogether Women Community Engagement Board, Register

Frederick County Reentry Job Fair/Career Expo

Government Contracting for Small Contractors - Maryland Construction Opportunities, Virtual

Soldiers' Angels food Distribution, Washington, DC

September 24, 2025

CRAB: Military Sailing Days

Prince George's County Boot Camp, Virtual

Easterseals DC MD VA: Women Veteran Wednesdays, Virtual

Blue Star Families Start Book Program, Severn

September 26, 2025

Mental Health First Aid Training, Frederick

ServingTogether Women's Community Veterans Engagement Board

Military Night at the Italian Festival, Ripken Stadium, Aberdeen

September 27, 2025

Veteran Owned Small Business Expo, Columbia

MOAA, Ft. Meade Chapter monthly meeting, Hanover

Blue Star Families Welcome Week, Ft. McHenry

September 28, 2025

Gold Star Family Luncheon, Mission BBQ

September 29, 2025

Women Warrior Network of Baltimore, Sparrows Point

Blue Star Welcome Week: Virtual Coffee Connect

September 30, 2025

Blue Star Welcome Week: Rooted in Transition - Finding Calm, Clarity & Connection, Virtual

October 1, 2025

Prince Georges County Community College Career & Resource Fair, Largo

October 2, 2025

Blue Star Welcome Week: College Finances for Military Families, Virtual

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

37th Annual Suicide Prevention Conference, Virtual

October 9 - 13, 2025

Vietnam Traveling Memorial Wall, New Windsor

October 9. 2025

Maryland VSBE & SBR Program Certification Workshop, Virtual

Longevity Ready Maryland - Aging Awareness Workshop, Columbia and Virtual option

October 11, 2025

Veterans Claims and Resource Day, Morningside

October 14, 2025

Women's Small Business Celebration, Hanover

October 15, 2025

CRAB: Military Sailing Days

October 16, 2025

National Disability Employment & Awareness Month Job & Resource Fair, Laurel, Register

October 18, 2025

Easterseals Walk with Me Fundraiser, National Harbor

Community News

National Veterans Service Dog Memorial Planned for Charles County, BayNet article

Maryland Guard unveils WWII Mural, honors Maryland 400 heroes, Afro.com article

Southern Maryland Residents Invited to Welcome Veterans Home from Honor Flight, BayNet article

Harford County woman, the last living descendant of one of the 'Six Triple Eight', honors her mother's legacy, WMAR TV article

New shoe and boot drive for Veterans, Washington, DC

News from Operation Homefront

Every year (now in its 18^th year) Operation Homefront hosts the Military Child of the Year® Awards. The awards are open to military children between the ages of 13-18. There are 7 recipients 1 child from each branch of the services and each recipient receives $10,000 CASH, a laptop, other donated goodies, and a 3-day trip to Washington, DC with us and their families.

Children are entered by nominations. Anyone that knows a military child can nominate any military child. So, you may nominate your students, friend’s children, children can nominate their siblings and best friends and so on. The awards are open to Active Duty, reserves, Gold Star, National Guard, AND retired military children. The program is entirely FREE and exclusive to military children. Flier

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. In the past 2.5 years ServingTogether has screened over 500 clients for risk of suicide.

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/

Kayaking Opportunities for Maryland Veterans with Team River Runner

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 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

Oct 3: Team River Runner: Kayaking for Veterans DC Sunset Paddle, Washington Canoe Club, Georgetown, DC, Register

Oct 4: Team River Runner: Kayaking for Veterans Saturday Family Paddle, Mallows Bay, Nanjemoy, Register

Oct 5: Team River Runner: Kayaking for Veterans DC Biathlon, Washington Canoe Club, Georgetown, DC, Register

Oct 11: Team River Runner: Kayaking for Veterans Saturday Family Paddle, St. Inigoes Landing, St. Inigoes, Register

Oct 18: Team River Runner: Kayaking for Veterans McIntosh Run Paddle, Leonardtown Wharf, Leonardtown, Register

Oct 22: Team River Runner: Kayaking for Veterans White Water Wednesday, Lock 6, Bethesda, Register

Oct 25: Team River Runner: Kayaking for Veterans Saturday Family Paddle, Jefferson-Patterson Park, St. Leonard, Register

Oct 31: Team River Runner: Kayaking for Veterans Halloween Sunset Paddle, Mallows Bay, Nanjemoy, Register

Nov 1: Team River Runner: Kayaking for Veterans Saturday Family Paddle, Smallwood State Park, Marbury, Register

Nov 8: Team River Runner: Kayaking for Veterans Saturday Family Paddle, Hallowing Point Boat Ramp, Prince Frederick, Register

Nov 15: Team River Runner: Kayaking for Veterans Saturday Family Paddle, Greenwell State Park, Hollywood, Register

Future Events: Save the Date

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

October 25, 2025: DAV Claims Clinic, Waldorf

October 25, 2025: Lifeline Horse Rescue and LETS Program Fall Open House, Gaithersburg

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

November 1, 2025: Winterhaven Homeless Veterans Stand Down, VA DC Medical Center

November 6, 2025: TOP III Job Fair, Joint Base Andrews

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

November 7, 2025: Prince George's County 2025 Veterans Celebration, Greenbelt

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

November 8, 2025: Veterans Day Parade, Baltimore City, Application

November 8, 2025: Towson Football - Hometown Heroes Special, Towson

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

November 13, 2025: Martinsburg Vet Center Dedication, Falling Waters, WV

November 18, 2025: Job Fair, Patuxent River

November 19, 2025: Community & Veterans Job Fair, Club Meade, Ft. Meade

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.