Menu
Donate

The National Center for the Military and Veteran Family

A Partnership Between

Mission Statement: To provide accessible and free resources uniquely tailored to the needs of military members and veterans, their families, and their caregivers.

Vision Statement: We envision a future where veterans and their families are honored, supported, and celebrated for their contributions to our country, and where everyone has the opportunity to achieve their highest potential and live with dignity and respect in their communities.
Mission Statement: To build, educate, and maintain resource networks to support the complex physical, social, and emotional health needs of Veteran communities across the nation. 

Vision Statement: VHWF envisions communities that possess the knowledge and capacity to not only identify and address service-related health challenges, but also to embrace, support, and empower veterans and their families who experience them.

Queen Anne’s County Veteran and Military Support Alliance (VAMSA) was launched in 2022 to address the unique needs of military and veterans, their families, and their caregivers. In May 2023, this innovative alliance opened a locally-facing resource center (phase one of our National Center plan) that offers: (1) Assistance with access to and use of government and private sector agencies (navigation), (2) Education and Training, (3) Access to Medical and Behavioral Health Care, (4) Peer Support, (5) Financial Counseling, (6) Holistic Therapies and Healing Services (e.g., massage, aromatherapy, music and art therapy, etc.), (7) Entrepreneurship, and (8) Resource Networks for Family Members and Caregivers. The guiding principle on which we stand is a moral one. We seek to cement the standard that there is an absolute moral obligation to support the entire military family from start to finish. And while we are launching with a Queen Anne’s County/Mid-Shore focus, we know that in due time we will be a resource center for the entire Eastern Shore of Maryland.

On February 3, 2023, VAMSA signed a strategic partnership agreement with the nationally-recognized Veterans Health and Wellness Foundation. We are joining forces to establish a nationally-facing center of excellence (phase two). This second phase will establish an
educational center that serves as a training ground for community leaders across the nation, particularly those in rural America, to assemble, exchange ideas and learn how to operationalize “thank you for your service.” They can then return to their communities and
establish similar resource centers adapting the model presented at the Center. 

What sets this center apart is the unique commitment to helping all military members, veterans that have served for any amount of time, their family members, and their caregivers (regardless of whether they are related to a wounded warrior or not). It is our intention to offer all services free of charge.

About Us

The Queen Anne’s County Veteran and Military Support Alliance (VAMSA) was launched in 2022 to address the unique needs of military, veterans, and their families. VAMSA is working over the next year to develop and open a resource center that offers the following: 
  1. Assisting with access to and use of government and private sector agencies
  2. Education and Training
  3. Access to Medical and Behavioral Health Care
  4. Peer Support
  5. Financial Counseling
  6. Holistic Therapies and Healing Services (e.g., massage, aromatherapy, music and art therapy, etc.)
  7. Entrepreneurship, and
  8. Resource Networks for Family Members and Caregivers.
VAMSA, in a strategic partnership with the nationally-recognized Veteran Health and Wellness Foundation, will establish a national “center of excellence” to which rural community members/leaders across the nation will travel to take part in carefully designed workshops and presentations to educate and equip attendees with tools to take better care of their community of veterans, military and family members.

This national center of excellence will emphasize and respond to rural communities in particular as such communities are often devoid of resources that are more often available in urban centers. The number of Americans that want to operationalize “thank you for your service” increases every day and the Center for the Military and Veteran family will respond to this call to action and facilitate solutions across the country. 

Our military and veteran families have sacrificed so much and deserve to live in communities that value them, invest in them, and understand the unique cultural, environmental, and battleground experiences they share in service to their country.

What sets this center apart is the unique commitment to helping all military members, veterans that have served for any amount of time, military and veteran family members, and caregivers regardless of whether they are related to a wounded warrior or not. All services are free of charge and will be offered in person; virtually, where possible; and in-home when needed (and feasible). On-site services will be prioritized based on a needs assessment underway. This survey asks our community of veterans, military, and their family members to self-report the intensity of their needs across a full spectrum of services such as legal, medical, financial, housing, etc.

News

VAMSA awarded $20K grant from the Qlarant Foundation
VAMSA is proud to announce our recent $20K grant award from the Qlarant Foundation to ensure we accommodate our exponentially increasing population of clients that need timely resources and services. We have helped over a 1,000 veterans and have had 16 suicide saves. There’s no other place to put ...
Read More
Welcome to Kent Island VETERANS BOOK GROUP!
We are excited to announce the launch of the Kent Island VETERANS BOOK GROUP! Veterans and service members of all service branches, ages, eras and backgrounds are welcome. This group will meet MONTHLY on the FOURTH WEDNESDAY at 6:30 pm at the new Center for the Military and Veteran Family (301 Pier ...
Read More
WBOC News: Supporting And Honoring Veterans in Queen Anne's County
April 22, 2023. News coverage from WBOC on the Vietnam War Memorial Dedication for Walt Petrie's fallen brothers of "C Company". Click the link below to read the article. https://www.wboc.com/news/supporting-and-honoring-veterans-in-queen-annes-county/article_f42d4f22-e150-11ed-92a3-1bd8f2dc123a.htm...
Read More
CAPITAL CAMPAIGN SILENT PHASE PUSHES VAMSA TOWARD $300K GOAL
Fri, April 21, 2023 VAMSA Executive Director Eric Johnson reported that the Alliance raised close to$100,000 of the total of $300,000 we need for FY24. The late-breaking fundingcommitments were reported as follows: $50,000 - Queen Anne's County Commissioners (Capital allocation)$5,000 - Walt Petrie ...
Read More
Welcome! (Issue 1 of the VAMSA Newsletter)
From VAMSA Vice Chair, Eric Johnson We are excited to release the first newsletter for the Queen Anne’s County Veteran and Military Support Alliance (VAMSA). We plan to release this monthly to share news from “the front lines” (patient and client center updates) and “Garrison happenings” (...
Read More
Grasonville VFW Donates 10k to VAMSA!
At our December 6, 2022, monthly meeting, the Alliance received a $10,000 on-the-spot gift from Commander Craig Conrad of the Grasonville VFW.  These funds will be used to help open the project office on Kent Island!...
Read More
Alliance Takes Part In Promoting “Giving Tuesday” On November 29, 2022
The Alliance promoted its project objectives on social media on Nov 29, 2022, resulting in $1,800 in donations to the group’s Mid-Shore Community Foundation fund.  Donations were from Mr. and Mrs. Glenn Gannon ($500), Mr. Robert A. Dymond ($500), and Mr. and Mrs. James D. Neal ($800).   Alliance...
Read More
Meeting to Discuss a Partnership
Alliance members meet with Dr. Evelyn Lewis, retired U.S,. Navy Physician and President of the Veterans Health and Wellness Foundation. The purpose of the visit was to discuss ways in which partnership can mutually benefit the two organizations....
Read More
Wes Guckert Donates $5k
Alliance member Wes Guckert matches Walt Petrie's $5K donation, to fund fully the 1st phase of the project....
Read More
Walt Petrie $5k Donation
Alliance member, Walt Petrie commits a donation of $5K to launch the project's community engagement strategies....
Read More

Events

11/11 @ 11 Veterans Day Event and Luncheon - Veterans Point at Wells Cove
Please join us as we dedicate a very special Queen Anne's County Park, "Veterans Point at Wells Cove."  This location has been made possible due to a large gift from the Earl and Barbara Griffin Foundation, based in Grasonville, and the tremendous work of our County Departments of Parks an...
Read More
Memorial Day Flag Ceremony at Veteran's Point
Close to 75 attendees huddled together in the windy  and rainy weather in the hope the special ceremony would go on.  Working with the county’s Emergency Management meteorologist,  Shaelyn Parsley, and PIO, Beth Malasky, organizers isolated the perfect window in which to launch the ...
Read More
VAMSA Open House & Celebration!
Event by Center for the Military and Veteran Family  Location: VAMSA Headquarters (Center for the Military & Veteran Family) at Bay Bridge Marina; 301 Pier One Road; Stevensville, MD 21666 Time: 1pm - 4pm Join us as we celebrate a year since completing our business plan and the impacts we’ve...
Read More
Vietnam War Memorial Dedication
Kent Islanders, please visit the Vietnam War Memorial recently dedicated on the grounds of Libbey's Coastal Kitchen + Cocktails Libbey’s Coastal Kitchen at Bay Bridge Marina owner and Vietnam War veteran Walt Petrie unveiled a Vietnam War monument on April 22, 2023, to honor three fallen service m...
Read More
VIETNAM MEMORIAL DEDICATION AND CAPITAL CAMPAIGN KICKOFF A HUGE SUCCESS
Sat, April 22, 2023 VAMSA Board members Walt Petrie and Wes Guckert hosted a hugely successfuldedication in honor of their Vietnam unit’s fallen and surviving members at an eventattended by 150+ attendees at Libbey’s restaurant. They were joined by speakersAnthony Brown, Maryland Attorney Genera...
Read More
Vietnam Memorial Monument Unveiling and Dedication to Take Place on April 22 on Kent Island During Private Event
Libbey's Coastal Kitchen at Bay Bridge Marina owner and Vietnam War veteran Walt Petrie will unveil a Vietnam War monument to honor three fallen service members from his military unit at a dedication taking place Saturday, April 22, 2023, at 10:00 a.m. on marina grounds.  The monument is a repl...
Read More
Veterans Health & Wellness Fair May 6th!
Come to the Veterans Health & Wellness Fair! Download the attached Flyer Here! When: May 6, 2023 10:00-1:00Where: Barnette Center Conference Room255 Comet Dr. Centreville, MD 21617 For more information or to become a partner contact:Robyn Affron, Compass Volunteer Managerraffron@compassregionalh...
Read More
Eric Johnson Speaks at Centreville American Legion's Veterans Day Event
VAMSA Vice Chair, Eric Johnson, will speak at the Centreville American Legion's Veterans Day event at 11 am at the historic Queen Anne's County Courthouse in Centreville....
Read More

Resources

Hire Heroes USA

Looking for a job or job training? Hire Heroes USA is the site for you. The site offers a wide variety of training resources, job postings, and everything else vets need to find a new career after leaving the service of their country.

No veteran should go without work after ETS, and Hire Heroes USA wants to make sure that happens. Check them out if you find yourself lost on the path to a rewarding career.

USAA

I’m guessing there are very few veterans who haven’t heard of USAA. If you’re one of them you’re really missing out: USAA is an insurance, home loan, banking, investing, and life planning powerhouse. Their services are only open to veterans and their immediate families, and the rates are exceptionally good.

If you haven’t at least looked into USAA’s offerings you need to do so: It could change your entire financial situation for the better!

Veterans Crisis Line

Operated by the VA, the Veterans Crisis Line is there to help those who need it the most. Those needing emergency help with PTSD, depression, suicidal thoughts, and other life crises can call 1-800-273-8255 (option 1), text 838255, or chat online through the site.

The Veterans Crisis Line also contains a number of resources for self-treatment and information on how to recognize the signs of a crisis in loved ones. It’s an excellent resource for those suffering and those who care for them.

Va.gov

The VA: Love it or hate it it’s probably a part of your life now, and presumably for the rest of it as well. If you’ve been frustrated by the outdated, unfriendly, and downright labyrinthian layout of the VA’s website you aren’t alone.

The VA has been trying hard to reinvent itself, and its new va.gov website is the face of that reinvention. You may have heard of the now defunct vets.gov, which was the VA’s first attempt at introducing a new, veteran-friendly website to its online arsenal. It has since merged vets.gov with va.gov, so you won’t have to worry about a bunch of redirects tossing you between websites.

The new va.gov is built not with administrators, vendors, and organizational partners in mind, but with the veterans it serves front and center. You can find all sorts of resources right on the VA homepage–medical information, education benefits, disability, and military records are all right where you need them.

Military.com

This one-stop shop for all things military related delivers news, has information on benefits, maintains its own veterans job board, and features tons of other resources to make life as a veteran just a little bit easier.

If you’re looking for a web portal to be your connection to military life Military.com is it. There isn’t a whole lot it doesn’t have, though other sites listed here do have a narrower focus that makes them more useful in certain circumstances.

Officers

Eric B. Johnson, Jr., Executive Director

U.S. Air Force Veteran

Email: executive.director@vamsa.us

Lei Ellingson, Deputy Director

Email: deputy.director@vamsa.us

Eric Johnson, III, Program Associate

Email: records@vamsa.us

Sarah Stallings, Director of LGBTQIA+ Programs

U.S. Army Veteran

Email: lgbtqia@vamsa.us

Gene Davis, Director of Career Development

U.S. Army Veteran

Email: career.development@vamsa.us

Evelyn Lewis, MD, Ad Hoc Member

U.S. Navy, Retired

President, Veterans Health and Wellness Foundation

Email: elewismd@myvhwf.org

Gene J. Feher

U.S. Army Veteran

Medical Equip. Technology Industry, Retired

Email: genejfeher@gmail.com

Chad Baker

U.S. Army Retired (Purple Heart Recipient)

Email: chadbaker869@gmail.com

Cynthia Arnette

U.S. Navy, Retired

Veterans Administration, Retired

Email: alanisgma1@gmail.com

Walter “Walt” Petrie

U.S. Army Veteran

Chief Executive Officer, Petrie Ventures

Bay Bridge Marina, LLLP

Email: wp@petrieinv.com

Wes Guckert

U.S. Air Force Veteran

President & Chief Executive Officer

The Traffic Group

Email: wguckert@trafficgroup.com

Joseph “Joe” Candella, President

Email: joecandella@aol.com

U.S. Army Veteran

New York City Businessman, Retired

Email: joecandella@aol.com

Contact Us

© Copyright 2025