George S. Roof is a retired Air Force chief master sergeant. He resides in Magnolia.
A very wise man told me that the republic was founded by statesmen but that they have been replaced by politicians in the later years. You see, a statesman never forgets that all power comes from the people whom he serves. Conversely, politicians serve themselves for the support of those who contribute to their continued position in the government.
Delaware has managed to elect a politician as its governor. Preelection, candidate Matt Meyer was approached by several prominent retired military members. When they asked about his support, he said he did not have time to discuss it and walked away to talk to others, without even giving the courtesy of listening or answering. After the election, veterans were invited to Legislative Hall for an announcement about the creation of a cabinet-level secretary of veterans affairs. After the announcement, veterans were told they’d be invited to a We the Veterans rally, to include dialogue about the new position. When arriving, there was confusion about where the vets should go. Some were sent to one building, while others went to another. The governor was reported to be attending but was replaced by the lieutenant governor, who went to a Legislative Hall room with only part of the veterans in attendance. Being veterans, many refused to be absent and, eventually, found the way to the primary venue. The published pictures and articles make it look like the event was well organized and supported. But it was little more than a free lunch, with no opportunity for substantive input by those who attended. While the social went on as advertised, the veterans had been sent to another room and were provided no instructions as to how they might participate.
Days later, the accommodating media used the event to herald how veterans were finally going to be recognized in a state that had long forgotten them by the creation of the secretary of veterans affairs post. What they failed to tell you, however, was that the secretary position is unfunded and will not receive any funding until 2030, a year after the governor’s (first) term ends.
There were rumors that a bill was being drafted that would establish the position in the state government. It didn’t take long to find House Bill 1. Before you read any further, I’d suggest you go online and read this hollow piece of legislation.
It duly recognizes the nongovernmental organizations that currently offer advice on veterans affairs. The bill designates these organizations’ representatives (15 serving four-year terms) as the Delaware Commission of Veterans Affairs. It tasks the commission members with supplying to the governor a minimum of three nominees to replace themselves when their terms expire. After the commission is formed, the secretary will hire a veteran as executive director. He or she will report to the secretary as to what actions the commission requests.
I won’t bore you with the rest of the verbiage, as it resembles a pan of Jiffy Pop bouncing all over the place, with duties and responsibilities that have yet to be defined. One thing that seems evident, however, is that the secretary will be a hollow vessel, whose position is nothing more than a liaison between the commission and the governor.
As difficult as it may be for some to realize, Delaware was not always a friendly place for military members. I came here in the late 1960s, as an adviser to set up the C-5 engine shop for the impending arrival of Dover’s first Galaxy. The city of Dover was a hostile place, where military members were treated like invaders. I was required to check a squadron bulletin board at least once a day to see what businesses and establishments had been declared “off-limits” to members. We were prohibited from going off base in fatigue uniforms and could not stop on our way home, except in emergencies. Thankfully, those days are distant memories, unfathomable to younger generations.
Today, Delaware has approximately 70,000 veterans (120,000 when family members are included), who live, work or are retired here. It would seem that that number of citizens could, if they chose, form a significant voting bloc in deciding if we need politicians or statesmen representing us in the state legislature. Giving us lip service doesn’t make our lives any better. Yet we continue to hope that one day, sooner than five years from now, our service and sacrifices will get a fraction of recognition by the governor and legislature.
Reader reactions, pro or con, are welcomed at civiltalk@iniusa.org.
