Dave Skocik is the president of the Delaware Veterans Coalition and the Friends of Delaware Veterans. Paul Davis is the vice president of the coalition and the president of the Delaware council of the Vietnam Veterans of America.
Kudos to the Daily State News for its front-page article by Joe Edelen about House Bill 1, discussing the establishment of a secretary of veterans affairs (“Bill to establish new Delaware Department of Veterans Affairs sails through House committee”).
We continue reaching out to Gov. Matt Meyer with no acknowledgment.
The Delaware Veterans Coalition, established in 2011 as a nonpartisan, pro bono lobbying organization for former military members, visited the campaign headquarters of both gubernatorial and lieutenant gubernatorial candidates. We were well received and assured of their support, with the exception of candidate Meyer. We’ve reached out in person to him, his staff and his transition team but have been ignored. His priorities of health care, education and housing (which also affect veterans) are commendable, but his world seems to be limited to those issues.
What’s disappointing are his multiple references and praise during his campaign to the veterans who protected him when he was an ambassador to Iraq. They were even noted during his inauguration, but the silence that followed is troubling to our state’s 70,000 veterans and their families.
As representatives of the coalition, we have addressed multiple audiences for nearly two years. My first request during these events is for veterans to raise their hands — about 10% identify themselves. But, when asked how many attendees have a veteran in their families, the number shoots up to about 90%. It’s time veterans and those who support their service and sacrifice are encouraged to contact their elected representatives about the importance of this bill to them and their families, and to send a note to Gov. Meyer. Information is available online, including at governor.delaware.gov.
It’s not about money — studies have documented that veterans bring about 4 billion federal dollars into Delaware each year, but they are excluded from meaningful input into state government because we’ve been represented by a nonveteran, appointed secretary of state, who has multiple other duties having nothing to do with veterans. This is being repeated in the new administration. That lack of attention has cost tens of millions of federal dollars available for the asking. The benefit of a secretary of veterans affairs seems to be lost on our new governor.
On memorials, we rightly honor and celebrate those who died in action. But the majority who die after discharge while waiting for help — from service-related injuries like amputations, chemical exposure, posttraumatic stress disorder, traumatic brain injuries and suicide — are omitted, except in the hearts of their families. Two of my close family members are in that category.
Recently, I noted a Canadian license plate that echoed my thoughts about those who defend us. It read, “Je me souviens” or “I remember.” So do those who serve.
A veteran’s last battle must never be begging the government for relief from his or her pain.
Reader reactions, pro or con, are welcomed at civiltalk@iniusa.org.
