New name aligns with the department’s mission to serve all who serve, including military families

ANNAPOLIS, MD – Secretary Tony Woods today announced the Maryland Department of Veterans Affairs has officially changed its name to the Department of Veterans and Military Families. 

"Before I deployed to Afghanistan, I thought military service was toughest on our soldiers. After I deployed, I realized it was toughest on our families," sai​d Gov. Moore. "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. This important name change recognizes that fundamental truth." 

The inclusion of “Military Families” in the Department’s official name better reflects the diverse community it serves including dependents, veteran caregivers, and survivors. Members of this broader military connected community play an important role in ensuring the well-being of our service members and veterans and are similarly eligible for earned benefits and resources. 

The Departmental name change resulted from legislation, SB0411 and HB0431, championed by Senator Dawn Gile and Delegate Andrew Pruski. Governor Moore signed the bills into law on April 9, 2024. The legislation renames the Department and mandates the appointment of a Deputy Secretary of Military Family Policy and Programs, who will be responsible for overseeing agency strategy, policy, and initiatives to respond to the unique needs of our military and veteran families. “Since the founding of the Department in 1999, military families have always been included in our mission statement,” said Secretary Tony Woods. “Changing our name better reflects our mission and serves as an important reminder that military families - including dependents, veteran caregivers,​ and survivors - play a vital role in service to the nation and they have an advocate in our Department to support them through life’s transitions.” The Department of Veterans and Military Families will work closely with the newly established Maryland Commission on Veterans and Military Families to implement policy recommendations dedicated to veterans and military families. These recommendations will be presented to the Maryland General Assembly and Moore-Miller Administration in December 2024. 

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Contact:

Dana Burl, Director of Communications, Outreach, and Advocacy

[email protected]

ANNAPOLIS, MD​ — Maryland Department of Veterans and Military Families Secretary Anthony Woods joined Fort George G. Meade Garrison Commander Colonel Yolanda Gore on March 19 at a technical job fair.  The fair was hosted by the Fort George G. Meade MWR—MDOL / American Job Center, Anne Arundel Workforce Development Corporation (AAWDC), Transition Assistance Program, Fleet & Family Support Center, and Army Community Service and was open to veterans and other job seekers impacted by recent government layoffs and seeking a new career in the technical field.

Secretary Woods met with veterans interested in information technology, cybersecurity, and software engineering technical fields. Nearly 30 percent of federal workers are veterans and are among those hardest hit by the reduction of the federal workforce.

More than 500 people attended and 35 employers participated. Companies were on hand to evaluate resumes and provide preparation assistance services. DVMF’s Veteran Benefits Specialists were on-site to conduct one-on-one claim consultations with veterans seeking information about VA benefits and services.

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At the Maryland Department of Veterans and Military Families, we are honored to provide a final resting place for our veterans and their eligible family members. We maintain our cemeteries in accordance and collaboration with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs National Cemetery Administration Operational Standards and Measures.

Recently, we began updating our cemetery grounds to remove donated memorial benches that have deteriorated with time or have become a public safety hazard. In doing so, however, we were unable to notify all family members of their removal and for that we apologize. We are pausing all removals for 30 days to provide family members with the option to take possession of memorial benches. 

We wish to clarify an earlier statement that the removal of these donated benches was due to a Compliance Review conducted by the National Cemetery Administration. The VA’s compliance review at Cheltenham Veterans Cemetery in 2024 had no findings concerning donated benches and the removal of the donated benches was not ordered by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.

If your family has donated site furnishings at Cheltenham Veterans Cemetery, please contact Cemetery Superintendent Dimitra Johnson at [email protected] to discuss next steps and available options.

We appreciate your understanding and cooperation as we work to preserve the honor, dignity, and respect of our veterans’ final resting places.

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The Maryland Department of Veterans and Military Families (DVMF) stands firmly in support of all those who have answered the call to serve our country, including our transgender service members and veterans. The recent discriminatory Executive Order​ and policy guidance released from the Department of Defense to ban transgender military personnel from serving in the military takes aim at transgender troops in a personal way, dehumanizing them and falsely denying their honor, integrity, and sacrifice. 

The military’s strength has always come from the dedication and diversity of those who serve. Maryland’s DVMF opposes any policy banning or discriminating against our transgender service members and veterans who serve our country with distinction and honor. This policy undermines the military’s role as an inclusive institution, one that reflects the diversity of our nation’s population. 

We know our country is strongest when we recruit and retain the most capable and talented warfighters, regardless of race, gender, gender identity, or sexual orientation. Any policy that weakens this recruitment pool only makes us less safe. 

From my own personal experience, I understand the pain one goes through from being removed from an institution that you have given your life to protect. Under the "Don't ask, don't tell" policy banning openly gay, bisexual, and lesbian people from serving in the US Armed Forces, I was discharged. I was forced to leave behind the career I had built, not because of my ability or dedication, but because of who I am. Many others, including transgender service members, faced the same injustice under "Don't ask, don't tell." Now, history is repeating itself, and transgender troops and their families are once again facing the pain, uncertainty, and betrayal of being told their service is unworthy and their sacrifice is unwelcome. 

Maryland stands firmly in support of our veterans and service members. Through programs and resources, DVMF ensures equality and opportunity for all. We stand by our veterans, upholding the values of fairness, respect, and inclusivity for all those who serve. 

The DVMF’s resources and benefits page for LGBTQIA+ Veterans has numerous programs and resources available for impacted service members and veterans. Visit veterans.maryland.gov/lgbtqia-veterans-page. For crisis support, please call the US Department of Veterans Affairs’ Veterans CrisisLine, by dialing 988, press #1. 

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Media Contact:
Tiffany Young
Director of Communications
[email protected]
667.270.1645 (m)

The Maryland Department of Veterans and Military Families (DVMF) stands in strong opposition to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs’ (VA) plans to cut 82,000 employees across its nationwide system. These drastic reductions will have devastating consequences for Maryland veterans, who rely on the VA for healthcare, benefits, and critical support services.

There is no doubt that the VA can improve operations, but this is not a matter of efficiency—it is a direct threat to the well-being of those who have sacrificed for our country. These cuts will mean longer wait times for benefits and claims processing, increased delays in medical appointments, diminished quality of care at VA hospitals and clinics, and reduced access to the mental health resources that help prevent veteran suicide. Maryland veterans are already feeling the impact of layoffs that have included claims adjudicators and crisis line staff—positions that are essential to serving those who have borne the cost of war.

As Secretary, I have an obligation to ensure that Maryland veterans are not left behind. Our department is committed to making sure their voices are heard and that they receive the care and support they deserve. We will continue to advocate for the resources and staffing necessary to uphold the promise our nation made to those who served.

We also need to hear directly from our veteran community. If you have recently experienced longer-than-expected wait times, cancellations, or a decline in the quality of care, please share your story with us. Your experiences matter, and we are committed to demanding action and accountability on your behalf.

Maryland’s commitment to its veterans is unwavering, and we will not allow these cuts to jeopardize their health, stability, or dignity. No veteran should be left without the care and benefits they have earned. 

We will fight for them because they fought for us.

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Media Contact:
Tiffany Young
Director of Communications
[email protected]
667-270-1645 (m)

​In recognition of Mental Health Awareness Month, Maryland Joins Forces announces partnership to support Maryland’s military-connected community

Annapolis, MD — The Maryland Department of Veterans and Military Families (DVMF),  announced today a groundbreaking partnership with Objective Zero Foundation (Objective Zero) and Face the Fight (Face the Fight) aimed at reducing suicide among service members, veterans, and families (SMVF).  This collaboration reflects a unified commitment to addressing the mental health needs of SMVF populations through evidence-informed interventions, innovative technology, peer support, public-private partnerships, and community-driven solutions.

One of the newest members of DVMF’s Maryland Joins Forces initiative, Objective Zero connects service members, veterans, and their families to peer support and wellness resources through its evidence-based mobile app platform. DVMF is the first state government agency in the nation that serves veterans and military families to officially join Face the Fight.  The agency will work with Objective Zero, also a Face the Fight member and grantee, to raise awareness of their web-based peer support application.

This partnership aligns with Maryland Governor Wes Moore’s commitment to the state’s participation in the U.S. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration’s Governor’s Challenge to Prevent Suicide Among SMVF and to affirm that no service member, veteran, or family member is left behind. As members of Face the Fight, both DVMF and Objective Zero look forward to working with the Face the Fight coalition to further advance suicide prevention service delivery, expand access to peer support, and build a coordinated system of care that ensures no service member, veteran, military family member, caregiver, or survivor falls through the cracks.

“Maryland is committed to making our state the best place for veterans and military families to live, work, and thrive. But that commitment must include the strongest possible efforts to prevent suicide and promote wellness,” said Tony Woods, Secretary, Maryland Department of Veterans and Military Families. “By bringing together technology, peer support, and community leadership, this partnership demonstrates Maryland’s holistic approach to saving lives and strengthening families.” “At Objective Zero, we know that connection saves lives. Partnering with organizations like the State of Maryland and Face the Fight allows us to expand our reach and impact, getting veterans, service members, their families, and caregivers the support they deserve, when and where they need it most,” said Betsey Mercado, Executive Director, Objective Zero. “As we recognize Mental Health Awareness Month, it’s the perfect time to take that first step. Download the Objective Zero App and connect with peer support, wellness tools and resources, and a community that truly understands. Reach out, even if you don’t know where to start.”

 “Suicide prevention is a fight we must all face together. Through Face the Fight, we are investing in expanding access to effective, evidence-based practices that save lives,” said Babs Chase, Executive Director, Face the Fight Coalition and Senior Vice President, Strategic Initiatives, Elizabeth Dole Foundation. We are proud to support Maryland’s leadership and collaborate with partners who share our determination to make real, lasting change for those who have served and sacrificed.”

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Maryland Department of Veterans and Military Families (DVMF) Through its Maryland Joins Forces initiative, DVMF unites state agencies, private sector leaders, and community organizations to deliver innovative, veteran-centered solutions. Learn more: veterans.maryland.gov/maryland-joins-forces

Objective Zero Foundation Objective Zero connects users to peer supporters and wellness resources through a free, anonymous mobile app, aiming to prevent suicide among service members, veterans, and their families. Learn more: objectivezero.org

Face the Fight Launched in 2023 by founding partners USAA, Reach Resilience, and the Humana Foundation, Face the Fight has made strides by bringing together a like-minded coalition of organizations to help reduce veteran suicide through a multi-pronged approach that includes charitable giving, public education, and awareness. Face the Fight is committed to supporting every veteran, regardless of their unique needs and challenges, and aspires to dramatically reduce veteran suicide. Learn more: wefacethefight.org