VFW MD

10/13/2026

This October 13, VFW Maryland proudly honors the United States Navy on its 251st birthday.

For more than two centuries, Sailors have answered the call with courage, dedication, and an unwavering commitment to protecting our nation. We extend our sincere gratitude to all who have served—and continue to serve—in the U.S. Navy, as well as to their families.

Fair winds and following seas. Thank you for your service.

10/12/2026

Maryland’s Biggest 50/50 Raffle is here!

Support VFW Department of Maryland and our mission to serve veterans, service members, and their families.

🎟️ Tickets are just $5 each or 5 tickets for $20.
🎟️ Up to 10,000 tickets will be sold per raffle.
🎟️ Please see your District Commander or Post Commander for tickets.

Raffle 1: September through January
First drawing: January 10, 2027, at the January C of A

Raffle 2: February through the State Convention
Second drawing: At the State Convention in June

Your participation helps strengthen veteran support, advocacy, and community programs across Maryland.

Learn more at https://vfwmd.org

Thank you for supporting VFW Maryland!

10/09/2026

Honoring the Life and Legacy of Past Supreme Commander H. Steve Mason

Members of the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) and the Military Order of the Cootie (MOC) gathered on Friday, October 9, 2026, at Howell Funeral Home in Jessup, Maryland, to pay their final respects and celebrate the life and legacy of Past Supreme Commander H. Steve Mason.

Comrades came together in fellowship, remembrance, and unity to honor a dedicated leader whose unwavering commitment to veterans, service, and brotherhood left a lasting impact on both organizations.

His leadership, friendship, and devotion to his fellow veterans will never be forgotten.

Rest Easy, Soldier. Your Duty Is Done. We Have the Watch.

10/08/2026

Every report a local Post submits helps us document the outreach, programs, and community service our members carry out across Maryland. These records also help us recognize local accomplishments and direct support where it is needed.

If your Post has outstanding information, now is a good time to bring it up to date before the next deadline.

Our team is here to help with any questions, and you can find the reporting requirements under the Resources tab at vfwmd.org.

10/06/2026

10/04/2026

George W. Owings III VFW Post 12248 members gather for group photos at the 2026 Calvert County Fair.

On the 1st photo From left to right: VFW 12248 Senior Vice Commander Allen Wayne Keller Sr., VFW Maryland State Commander Todd Walter, VFW 12248 Post Commander Felix A. Figueroa, and VFW Post 12248 Adjutant Joseph Dixon.

On the 2nd photo From left to right: Senior Vice Commander Allen Wayne Keller Sr., Adjutant Joseph Dixon, and Felix A. Figueroa, Post Commander.

On the 3rd photo Calvert County’s VFW Post 12248 Commander Felix A. Figueroa (left), the post chaplain and American Legion Post 206 Commander Scott Deacon, and VFW Post 12248 Adjutant Joseph Dixon pose for a quick selfie as they march towards the fairgrounds performance pavilion during the opening ceremony of the 138th Calvert County Fair in Prince Frederick, MD. (Photo Courtesy Felix A. Figueroa, George W. Owings III VFW Post 12248 Commander)

This is the first year that Calvert County’s only VFW post participated in the annual event. The 2026 Calvert County Fair ran from September 30 to October 4 at the Calvert County Fairgrounds in Prince Frederick, Maryland. It was the 138th edition of the fair, which started in 1886, and included agricultural exhibits, 4-H competitions, food vendors, and a carnival.

Throughout the fair, VFW Post 12248 handed out over 40 membership applications with 10 submitting applications for either lifetime or annual membership.

10/02/2026

Students across Maryland still have time to enter this year's VFW youth essay competitions, and both programs share the same theme this year.

Voice of Democracy is an audio essay competition for high school students in grades 9 through 12. Patriot's Pen is a 300- to 400-word written essay for middle school students in grades 6 through 8.

Many of our Posts help by sharing the opportunity with school counselors, hosting information tables, and passing details along to families.

We look forward to the stories Maryland students will share. Entry forms are available at vfw.org/community/youth-and-education/youth-scholarships.

10/02/2026

Department of Maryland State Commander Todd Walter stopped by the Veteran Services Center at Goodwill in Frederick!

Commander Walter met with the center’s leadership and staff to discuss ongoing initiatives, resource access, and how the VFW and community organizations can continue working together to support Frederick-area veterans.

Collaboration is key to ensuring no veteran is left behind. A huge thank you to Goodwill’s Veterans Services Center for their tireless commitment to empowering our service members, veterans, and military families.

10/01/2026

Well, here we are. October 1.

Some claimed that VA was definitely going to change the ratings for tinnitus and sleep apnea by the end of the fiscal year so Congress might as well spend those “savings” on TCAVA.

The VFW said the timeline didn’t add up and that a 2022 proposal wasn’t guaranteed to become the final rule as written.

So about those “savings”…

Protect veterans’ earned benefits. Pass TCAVA without making future veterans foot the bill.

09/30/2026

🇺🇸 VFW DEPARTMENT OF MARYLAND — SERVING THOSE WHO SERVED 🇺🇸

The VFW Department of Maryland State Commander Todd Walter had the opportunity to tour the Veteran Services Center (VSC) at Goodwill Industries of Monocacy Valley in Frederick, Maryland.

The VSC is an outstanding example of what can happen when organizations come together under one roof with one mission — supporting Veterans, active-duty service members, first responders, and their families.

The VSC provides a wide range of services, including:

🔹 Veterans benefits navigation and support
🔹 Counseling and mental-health resources
🔹 Career coaching and employment services
🔹 Veteran peer connection and fellowship
🔹 Recreation and wellness opportunities
🔹 Support for Veterans experiencing homelessness
🔹 On-site shower and laundry facilities
🔹 Education and training resources
🔹 VA disability and claims assistance
🔹 Behavioral-health and substance-use resources
🔹 Family and caregiver support
🔹 Spiritual support
🔹 Service and therapy-dog programs
🔹 Home-health resources
🔹 Community referrals and resource navigation

Organizations providing on-site services include:

🇺🇸 Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW)
🐕 Warrior Canine Connection
🏠 Thrive Home Health Services
🇺🇸 Reforge
🙏 The Mighty 30 — A Veteran’s Ministry
🇺🇸 Martinsburg Vet Center
🇺🇸 National Association for Black Veterans (NABVETS) — Western Maryland
🤝 Goodwill Industries of Monocacy Valley

Additional organizations providing visiting/pop-in services include:

🔹 Uniformed Services University — PTSD CARES Study
🔹 Steven A. Cohen Military Family Clinic
🔹 Frederick County Veterans Advisory Council
🔹 University of Maryland Global Campus
🔹 ServingTogether — Connecting Veterans
🔹 Guitars4Vets
🔹 Maryland’s Commitment to Veterans
🔹 HamerNEX Consulting
🔹 Mission Redefine by Mindset Quality

The VFW Department of Maryland is proud to stand alongside organizations that are working every day to make sure our Veterans and their families know where to turn, who to call, and that they are never alone.

A special thank you to the Chris Alley and staff of the Veteran Services Center and Goodwill Industries of Monocacy Valley for the tour and for everything they do for Maryland’s Veteran community.

📍 Veteran Services Center
1750 Monocacy Blvd., Suite A
Frederick, Maryland 21701

No one organization can do it all — but together, we can make sure every Veteran has access to the support they earned and deserve.

ONE TEAM ONE FIGHT

🇺🇸 Veterans Helping Veterans — That’s What We Do. 🇺🇸