EASTON, MD - The Veterans and Military Support Alliance (VAMSA), a key organization aiding veterans and their families on Maryland's Eastern Shore, is asking for financial help as it continues to expand its services. The group offers critical support, including mental and behavioral health programs, for veterans struggling with PTSD, suicide prevention, and other challenges.
Eric Johnson, VAMSA's executive director, emphasized that the organization is currently the only one on the Eastern Shore with a mission dedicated to serving veterans and military families.
“Right now we are the only organization on the Eastern Shore whose expressed mission is to assist veterans, military, and their families,” Johnson said.
VAMSA operates across the region, offering essential services in response to growing demand. While the population of veterans is declining, Johnson notes that the need for assistance has sharply increased, particularly as more service members are deployed for longer periods.
“People are increasingly deploying more and more, to more locations for longer periods of time," Johnson said. "They're climbing over each other to come in and we’re trying to keep up with the pace with having enough staffing. Right now, our critical need is case management.”
In response to the rising demand, VAMSA is now seeking financial support from Talbot County, during their county council meeting Tuesday night, to sustain and expand its services. Over the past two years, Queen Anne's County has provided VAMSA with $50,000 annually. Johnson is hopeful that other counties, like Talbot, will also contribute.
“The Queen Anne’s County commissioners have given us $50,000 each year for the last two years, and so we’re not sure what the other counties can afford to do, but we’re going to ask them to get their skin in the game and just help us keep the right amount of resources present,” Johnson said.
Talbot County officials have expressed a willingness to consider the request. Sarah Kilmon, Talbot County's communications coordinator, acknowledged the growing needs of the local veteran community.
“We have just under 3,000 veterans, according to the Maryland Veterans Society, and it’s a growing need because they’re coming back from war and they don’t have the support that they need, and it’s actually leading to a lot of mental health problems,” Kilmon said.
Larry Milbourn, a veteran, underscored the importance of continuing such programs for veterans' well-being.
“There is mental health and behavioral health—PTSD. A lot of people just can’t function properly, and that’s tough on them and tough on their families,” Milbourn said.
Recently, VAMSA has partnered with the state of Maryland to reach even more veterans and their families, further expanding its impact across the region.
The organization’s appeal for funding comes at a time when the need for veteran support services has never been more urgent.
