Veterans SITREP

Bob Brown is the first person to fill the position of Veterans Affairs Coordinator for Harford County, Maryland.  We’ll hear about what that position entails and how it’s going. After 23 years as an officer in the Army, Bob continues a life of serving others, including his time as part of the Veterans SITREP panel that helps us develop this program.

We welcome Molli Maberry, Founder and Lead Event Planner for MKM Collective LLC. Molli is a military spouse from Aberdeen Proving Ground, Maryland who won second place in the Early Start-Up category for her business pitch for MKM Collective, LLC, her event planning company.   She’ll share candid advice for military and veterans’ spouses on how to prepare for entrepreneurship opportunities, what th...

Today, we get to know Dr. Dario DiBattista, Director of Towson University’s Military & Veterans Center. Dario will explore how the Center’s services impact student veterans and their family members beyond processing necessary benefits earned through service.  He’ll also share key resources and encouragement to go back to college to broaden veteran job placement opportunities.

Today, we sit down with Alison Taylor, Medical Foster Homes Coordinator, Geriatrics & Extended Care Department, at Perry Point VA Medical Center.   She’ll share a unique option for veterans in need of assisted living.  VA’s Medical Foster Home program works with caregivers in the community to provide veterans needing assistance with daily living as an alternative to staying in a nursing home. 

Today, we welcome Will Yeske, a US Army combat veteran, and author of a recent publication, Damn The Valley, a book about a combat experience with the 82d Airborne Division that suffered a 50% casualty rate during a deployment.  He’ll shed light on the challenges faced by veterans, the significance of community engagement, and the importance of storytelling as a means of healing and advocacy.   Hi...

Today, we welcome the newly appointed Deputy Secretary, Maryland Department of Veterans Affairs, Ross Cohen. Ross, a U.S. Army veteran was appointed in January of 2024 and served as the Chief External Affairs Officer with Blue Star Families, a leading military family non-profit.  He’ll share the events that led him to military service, how he was selected as Deputy, and what his core focus is for...

On this episode of Veterans SITREP, we continue our discussion with Dr. Paula Smith-Benson, a peer specialist for the Vocational Rehabilitation Services, Mental Health Clinical Center, VA Maryland Health Care System.  Dr. Smith Benson is a retired US Air Force officer and combat veteran who will explain how unrecognized PTSD symptoms affected her transition from active duty and how she turned her...

Today, we welcome Dr. Paula Smith-Benson, a peer specialist for the Vocational Rehabilitation Services, Mental Health Clinical Center, VA Maryland Health Care System.  Dr. Smith Benson is a retired US Air Force officer and combat veteran who will share her unique experience as a Clinical Nurse while deployed as part of Operation Enduring Freedom/ Iraqi Freedom caring for wounded in battle.  She’ll...

Veterans SITREP is excited to share our conversation with Katie Kilby, founder of Reveille Grounds in Baltimore, Maryland. She refers to Reveille Grounds as Baltimore’s only veteran and community impact hub. This hub uses human centered design strategies and is accountable to the community they serve by connecting people, curating resources, and convening opportunities that will set the gold stand...

Today, we continue our conversation with Dr. Mike Haynie, Air Force veteran and founder of Syracuse University’s Institute for Veterans & Military Families, the nation’s first interdisciplinary institute created to inform and advance the policy, economic, and wellness concerns of America’s veterans and families.   He’ll discuss transitioning to civilian life after serving and the need for educ...

Today, we welcome Dr. Mike Haynie, Air Force veteran and founder of Syracuse University’s Institute for Veterans & Military Families, the nation’s first interdisciplinary institute created to inform and advance the policy, economic, and wellness concerns of America’s veterans and families.   He’ll present his thoughts on the morale obligation to know our veterans and the consequences if we don...

Today, we feature part two of our recent conversation with Maryland VA Secretary, Tony Woods.  We caught up with his reflections of the past eight months and what is ahead for this legislative session affecting veterans and their families in the State of Maryland.   We’ll explore what’s involved in the 2024 Year for Military Families in Maryland and cover a series of developments affecting Marylan...

Today, we revisit the Maryland VA Secretary, Tony Woods, to catch up with his reflections of the past eight months and what is ahead for this legislative session affecting veterans and their families in the State of Maryland.   We’ll explore what’s involved in the 2024 Year for Military Families in Maryland and cover a series of developments affecting Maryland VA programs.   

On this episode of Veterans SITREP, we’ll explore various Recreation and Creative Arts Therapy options open to veterans through the VA Maryland VA Health Care System. Kelsey Eisenhauer, a Creative Arts Therapist in Music Therapy, & Lauren Buckingham, a Recreation Therapist and Adaptive Sports Coordinator will share many fun and entertaining ways for veterans to reach their rehabilitation and w...

We’re excited to share our conversation with Yolanda Rayford of Blue Star Families. She fills us in on the work they do on a wide range of issues that affect military and veteran families, such as transitioning, job training for spouses, PCS help, food insecurity and more.

Phil Munley joins us for a second episode of Veterans SITREP to talk about the many programs available through the Maryland VA. If there's a veteran service organization or benefit available for the veterans in Maryland, Phil and his team can help you with it. 

Phil Munley joins us on Veterans SITREP to talk about the many programs available through the Maryland VA. If there's a veteran service organization or benefit available for the veterans in Maryland, Phil and his team can help you with it. 

Remember the fallen, honor those that serve, teach the next generation the value of freedom. That’s the mission of Wreaths Across America, and in this episode of Veterans SITREP we’ll speak with one of the location coordinators, Josie Montanez.

I'm sure you've seen big, colorful donation boxes around town during the holiday season. Veterans SITREP gets an inside look into the Toys for Tots program from George "The Hammer" Hammerbacher III of the Marine Corps League of Harford County, Maryland. 

Homelessness and houselessness are major issues in the veteran population. In this episode, we'll continue our conversation with social workers John Clow and Shanita Burch about the Community Resource and Referral Center in Baltimore and many programs and efforts by the VA Maryland Health Care System to address the needs of homeless veterans. 

Homelessness and houselessness are major issues in the veteran population. In this episode, we'll hear from social workers John Clow and Shanita Burch about the Community Resource and Referral Center in Baltimore and many programs and efforts by the VA Maryland Health Care System to address the needs of homeless veterans. 

Ryan Del Gallo is a Senior Level Business and Technology Consultant and Senior Veteran Business Specialist. He has helped start over 200 new businesses, created over 700 jobs in the community and gained clients over $55 million in funding for their enterprises. Have big dreams for entrepreneurship? Ryan is a tireless resource.

Veterans SITREP is excited to continue our interview with Major General Janeen Birckhead, the Adjutant General of Maryland. She is the lead military official of Maryland and oversees the Maryland National Guard, the Maryland Defense Force and more.

Veterans SITREP is excited to present the first part of an interview with Major General Janeen Birckhead, the Adjutant General of Maryland. That means she is the lead military official of Maryland and oversees the Maryland National Guard, the Maryland Defense Force and more. 

Today, we feature Delegate Mike Griffith, Maryland State Delegate for District 35A.   Delegate Griffith serves on the Maryland General Assembly Veterans Caucus.  He will highlight many veteran centered legislative measures that passed during the 2023 session and share future initiatives for the 2024 session.