ANNAPOLIS, MD — Governor Wes Moore today visited Greenbelt to commemorate Veterans Day and honor the sacrifices of Maryland’s veterans and their families. During his visit, the governor reinforced the Moore-Miller Administration’s commitment to supporting veterans and military families across Maryland.
“Leave No One Behind is not a talking point for us, it’s a governing philosophy,” said Gov. Moore. “So at a time when we’re seeing attacks against our veterans and military families, today is a reminder: In Maryland, ‘thank you for your service’ actually means something. As long as I am governor of the state, it always will.”
In response to the impacts of the longest shutdown in U.S. history and federal layoffs that disproportionately affect veterans, the governor today announced $250,000 in funding to be allocated to four initiatives that provide critical aid for rent, groceries, and household stability. The partnerships built through this effort will help strengthen Maryland’s support network for veterans—one in four of whom are federal civilian employees—and their families.
“At a time when we are facing enormous challenges, what gives me hope is that our administration is doing everything in our power to deliver relief for those struggling,” said First Lady Dawn Moore. “When I married my husband, I didn’t know I was marrying a governor—but I knew I was marrying a soldier. Soldiers are wired to protect, and my husband wakes up every day thinking about how to build a state that lives by the creed he learned in the military: leave no one behind.”
The $250,000 in funding announced today will be distributed among the following initiatives:
Maryland Veterans Trust Fund, which helps cover essential expenses such as rent, mortgage payments, utilities, and vehicle repairs. Funding will significantly reduce the backlog of more than 200 pending applications, ensuring timely financial relief through emergency grants of up to $10,000 for veterans, military families, Gold Star parents, spouses, and members of the Maryland National Guard.
Learn more about the Maryland Veterans Trust Fund at veterans.maryland.gov.
Operation Homefront, which works to build strong, stable, and secure military and veteran families by improving their financial, emotional, and social well-being. Funding will expand an existing emergency food assistance partnership, providing $500 grocery gift cards to approximately 200 military and veteran families—including veterans with service-connected disabilities within 10 years of separation. Operation Homefront has seen a nearly 100% increase in food assistance requests nationwide since the government shutdown began.
Applications for support are being accepted at operationhomefront.org.
Blue Star Families Maryland Chapter, which works to ensure that military families feel connected, supported, and empowered wherever they serve through partnerships with public and private organizations. Funding will support and expand the upcoming Nourish the Service event at Naval Air Station Patuxent River on November 16, providing four-day food packages for approximately 400 military families. The program works to address food insecurity among military families while also building community through volunteerism and shared support.
Maryland National Guard Food Pantry, which provides essential food and household supplies to the Guard, active-duty service members, and their families across the state. The pantry, supported by donations and community partners, has seen a sharp increase in demand during the federal government shutdown as Guard members experience delayed pay and rising household costs. The funding also strengthens the Guard’s existing network of family support programs, helping connect service members to additional state resources.
Governor and First Lady Moore honored Maryland’s veterans and military families this morning during the City of Greenbelt’s Veterans Day celebration, where they observed a wreath-laying ceremony at the Greenbelt War Memorial. The governor and first lady then served meals to veterans and their families at the Greenbelt American Legion Post 136's annual Veterans Day Luncheon.
“When Maryland veterans fall on hard times, they shouldn’t have to face it alone,” said Maryland Department of Veterans and Military Families Acting Secretary Ed Rothstein. “Those who have served and sacrificed for our nation deserve our support in return. This funding helps meet the immediate needs of veterans and their families and provides stability during times of financial uncertainty. It’s a reminder that in Maryland, our commitment to those who served is more than words—it’s action.”
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