Department of Veterans Affairs Launches Maryland Landing Zone to Streamline Access to Benefits and Resources
Annapolis, MD—As the nation prepares to mark Veterans Day, Governor Larry Hogan today announced the State of Maryland’s participation in Operation green light, a new initiative to support military veterans, as well as raise awareness of the resources available to help veterans and their families. State outreach efforts are led by the Maryland Department of Veterans Affairs (MDVA), county veterans commissions, the Maryland Association of Counties (MACo), and the Maryland Chamber of Commerce.
“We owe an incredible debt to those who carried our nation’s flag on their arm and risked their lives to protect the rights and freedoms that are so dear to us,” said Governor Hogan. “Our veterans remind us every day of the immeasurable cost of war and the immense price of freedom. Operation Green Light brings us together across the state to show our gratitude to our veterans and, just as importantly, to raise awareness to the resources available to them and their families.
Illumination of landmarks across the state. Thanks to Operation Green Light, which is led by the National Association of Counties (NACo)—governments, businesses and residents are encouraged to participate by simply replacing an outdoor light bulb with a green light bulb. State government buildings to be lit include Government House, the Maryland Department of Veterans Affairs Cemeteries and Memorials, Charlotte Hall Veterans’ Home, and the Glen Burnie Headquarters of the Maryland Motor Vehicle Administration. . Other illuminated sites include M&T Bank Stadium, the Baltimore Convention Center, the University of Maryland Medical System and Johns Hopkins University.
For a complete list of illuminations, including county buildings, visit the MDVA website.
Maryland landing zone. As part of Operation Green Light, the MDVA is launching “Landing Zone Maryland,” a new digital welcome guide for veterans and families retiring or moving to Maryland. The guide will include federal, state and local benefits to meet the needs of transitioning veterans and their families. Beginning Monday, Nov. 7, customers requesting military or veteran products from the Maryland Motor Vehicle Administration will receive Landing Zone Maryland pocket cards with a link to the guide, MDVA contact information, and VA resources.
“To the 360,000 Marylanders who answered the call or raised their hands to serve, thank you and welcome home,” said George Owings, MDVA Secretary. “On behalf of the department, I want to express my gratitude to our counties, businesses and residents for participating in Operation Green Light and for learning more about veteran resources like Landing Zone Maryland that are available to them.”
“The MDOT MVA is an important first step for new Marylanders to establish residency, which makes our statewide locations an ideal location to distribute Landing Zone Pocket Cards,” said MDOT MVA Administrator Chrissy Nizer. “It’s another way partnering with the MDVA helps military members and veterans ensure they have access to the benefits they need and deserve.”
“Our Maryland counties are proud to contribute to Operation Green Light in any way we can by offering a small measure of our enduring gratitude and highlighting the county’s veteran resources,” said MACo Executive Director Michael Sanderson. “Our veterans are important members of our communities, especially here in Maryland, where we have such a concentration of men and women who have served. Counties will continue this effort not only through November, but throughout over the years to come.”
Learn more about the resources available by visiting the Governor’s Challenge Training Portal and the Maryland Department of Veterans Affairs website.
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