Veterans all over the country got a big thank-you from businesses, communities, and individuals on 11/11 for their service to the USA. But in Maryland, the appreciation doesn't stop when Veteran's Day is over, thanks to Maryland Veterans Appreciation Month! The entire month of November is dedicated to showing Maryland vets how much their service means.
For Maryland veterans, that starts with the Veteran's Passport.
"Veterans can go to one of the Welcome Centers, pick up a Passport, get instructions on how to log in and register," said Cynthia Miller, the Director of the Office of Strategic Partnerships at the Maryland Office of Tourism Development. "Once they register, they'll be given entry to pages that show them which companies are participating in Maryland Veterans Appreciation Month and what experiences are available."
Some participants offer special experiences for vets, and many are businesses that offer discounts to veterans who have picked up a Passport. (And yes, Route One Apparel is one of those businesses!)
via visitmaryland.org
The Welcome Centers aren't just a place for Maryland vets to pick up their Veteran's Passports, however. They're also the setting for the Veteran's Art Exhibits that are part of the Maryland Veterans Appreciation Month experience!
"These exhibits will be military-focused," Miller said. "Examples include MPT's Maryland Vietnam War story, and the Maryland Department of Transportation State Highway Administration's Fallen heroes exhibit, which is about fallen heroes and the state road and bridge naming program."
via visitmaryland.org
Other exhibits include photography and paintings created by Maryland Veterans, which will be on display at other Welcome Centers throughout the state.
"We're working with sister agencies to create programming that attracts more visitors to the state, and allows more locals to enjoy Maryland, too," Miller explained. Veterans, their families, and people who are interested in learning more about how Marylanders served our country can enjoy the exhibits at the Welcome Centers.
The full list of Veteran's Art Exhibits can be found here.
