Veterans SITREP

Edward Rothstein, Acting Secretary, Maryland Department of Veterans and Military Families - Part 2

Today on Veterans SITREP, we continue our discussion with Acting Secretary, Maryland Department of Veterans and Military Families, Edward Rothstein. He talks with us about initiatives for veteran suicide prevention, mental health awareness, building communities and much more. 

Edward Rothstein, Acting Secretary, Maryland Department of Veterans and Military Families - Part 1

Veterans SITREP is proud to present an interview with the Acting Secretary, Maryland Department of Veterans and Military Families, Edward Rothstein.  Colonel Rothstein (U.S. Army, Ret.) brings over three decades of leadership, public service, and military experience to this role. He shares with us the priorities and initiatives for the department under his direction. 

Major General James D. Turinetti IV

Veterans SITREP welcomes Major General James (Jim) D. Turinetti IV , the 18th Commander of the U.S. Army Communications-Electronics Command and Senior Commander of Aberdeen Proving Ground (APG).  He arrived in our community last summer.   Major General Turinetti grew up outside of Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio.  After graduating from The Ohio State University as a Distinguished Military Graduate with a Bachelor of Science degree in Aeronautical and Astronautical Engineering, he was commissioned into the U.S. Army Signal Corps in June 1994.  We’re going to learn more about how he grew up in the military and what he has learned from veterans through his travels in the community.

The Maryland Gold Star Mothers Chapter

We are joined on Veterans SITREP by Paula Davis and Theresa Karlson, of Maryland Gold Star Mothers Chapter.  The Maryland Gold Star Mothers Chapter was formed in the 1940s, to support families of those in the military during WW II, Korea, and Vietnam Wars. Maryland and Delaware then combined to work with those who were grieving.   Their mission is finding strength in the fellowship of other Gold Star Mothers who strive to keep the memory of our sons and daughters alive by working to help veterans, those currently serving in the military, their families and our community. 

Veterans SITREP Town Hall Interview, part 2

Veterans SITREP hosted its first town hall recording on June 13 in front of a live audience at Aberdeen Proving Ground, Maryland. Joining us in this Town Hall is Colonel Lewis Patrick Hawkins, representing the Maryland Adjutant General, Major General Janeen L Birckhead.  Colonel Hawkins serves as the Chief of Joint Staff, Maryland Joint Forces Headquarters.   Ross Cohen, serves as the Acting Secretary, Maryland Department of Veterans & Military Families.  A US Army veteran, Acting Secretary Cohen previously served as the DVMF’s Deputy Secretary.  In this two-part episode, we’re going to explore how the Maryland National Guard and Maryland Department of Veterans and Military Families work together to support each other. 

Veterans SITREP Town Hall Interview, part 1

Veterans SITREP hosted its first town hall recording on June 13 in front of a live audience at Aberdeen Proving Ground, Maryland.   Joining us in this Town Hall is Colonel Lewis Patrick Hawkins, representing the Maryland Adjutant General, Major General Janeen L Birckhead.  Colonel Hawkins serves as the Chief of Joint Staff, Maryland Joint Forces Headquarters.   Ross Cohen, serves as the Acting Secretary, Maryland Department of Veterans & Military Families.  A US Army veteran, Acting Secretary Cohen previously served as the DVMF’s Deputy Secretary.  In this two-part episode, we’re going to explore how the Maryland National Guard and Maryland Department of Veterans and Military Families work together to support each other. 

Post 9/11 Military2VA Case Management Program

We welcome Anne Hall, Program Manager and John Blakely, Transition Patient Advocate, for the VA’s Post 9/11 Military2VA Case Management Program to Veterans SITREP.  This program assists veterans, their families and caregivers in navigating the VA health care system and supports them in achieving their health and wellness goals. Often when service members leave the military, they find difficulty with sense of identity, financial strain, employment/education barriers, relationship changes, mental/emotional wellness, and physical limitations as a result of their time in the military. 

Sean Gobin, Warrior Expeditions

Joining me today on Veterans SITREP is Captain Sean Gobin, Board Member with Warrior Expeditions, a veteran nonprofit outdoor therapy program that helps veterans transition from their wartime experiences through long distance outdoor expeditions. Today, we’re going to learn more about this program and what the Warrior Expeditions organization offers veterans recognizing the therapeutic value of long distance outdoor expeditions to help veterans transition from their wartime experiences.

Yolanda Rayford, Executive Director for the Baltimore/ Chesapeake Region of Blue Star Families

Joining me today on Veterans SITREP is Yolanda Rayford, Executive Director for the Baltimore/ Chesapeake Region of Blue Star Families.  Most people have heard of Gold Star families, but Blue Star Families may not be as familiar.   This is our second time sitting down with Yolanda and we’re going to explore some updates on what they have been doing serving all military members, veterans and their families.  And more importantly resources that Blue Star Families have that can make a difference

Heather Geraldes, Veterans Trust Fund Executive Director

Joining me today on Veterans SITREP is Heather Geraldes, Executive Director of the Department of Veterans and Military Families, Veterans Trust Fund.  Heather joined the Department in July 2024 and has been tasked with leading the expansion of the services to increase the impact of the Veterans Trust Fund.  The Trust Fund was created to provide once-in-a-lifetime temporary financial assistance and referral services to support our veterans and their families.  We’re going to learn more about this Fund and how veterans and their families can take advantage of this resource.