Delaware Commission of Veterans Affairs Annual Memorial Day Observances

DOVER – The Delaware Commission of Veterans Affairs welcomes veterans, their families and the public at large to join in two Memorial Day observances scheduled for the holiday weekend.

As in previous years, the Commission will host ceremonies on separate days at the Delaware Veterans Memorial Cemetery in Bear and at the foot of the Delaware Memorial Bridge, honoring those who lost their lives in the service of their nation.

What: DCVA Memorial Day Observances

Who: Gov. John Carney; Secretary of State Jeff Bullock; DCVA Commissioners; members of the Congressional Delegation; state legislators; local officials; Delaware veterans and their families

When/Where: 10:30 a.m. Saturday, May 27
Parade Field Grounds, Delaware Veterans Memorial Cemetery
2465 Chesapeake City Road, Bear

When/Where: 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, May 30
War Memorial Plaza, Delaware Memorial Bridge
163 Cherry Lane, New Castle

 

Contact: Larence Kirby, Executive Director
Delaware Commission of Veterans Affairs
Department of State
larence.kirby@delaware.gov
302-739-2293


Governor’s Weekly Message: Ending Veteran Homelessness in Delaware

Wilmington, DE – In his weekly message, Governor Markell marks Veterans Day and honors the men and women who have served our nation in uniform by celebrating Delaware’s success in ending veteran homeless through a coordinated statewide initiative announced last year. The Governor recognizes the many stakeholders who helped attain this goal and who remain committed to sustaining this commitment to our veterans in the years to come.

“In 2015, we committed to ending and preventing homelessness among veterans in Delaware,” Governor Markell said. “I said something then that remains true today: Even one homeless veteran is one too many. That’s why this week I was thrilled to announce that – after more than a year’s work with our local, state and federal partners – we have effectively ended veteran homelessness in our state. Thank you to everyone who has made it possible to get our veterans the help they need and deserve. Showing them the same level of commitment they made to our country will help keep Delaware moving forward.”

Every week, the Governor’s office releases a new Weekly Message in video, audio, and transcript form. The message is available on:

YouTube: https://youtu.be/qE0Ks-XCeeg
Delaware.Gov: http://governor.delaware.gov/podcast_video.shtml
By email: Please contact our press team to subscribe to our press list
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/governormarkell
Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/governormarkell

Transcript of the Governor’s Weekly Message: Ending Veteran Homelessness in Delaware


Delaware Effectively Ends Veteran Homelessness

More than 400 veterans have been permanently housed since January 2015

New Castle, DE – Governor Markell announced on Friday that Delaware has effectively ended veteran homelessness, receiving certification last month from the United States Interagency Council on Homelessness, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development and the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.

Vice President Joe Biden, U.S. Secretary of Housing and Urban Development Julián Castro and Governor Markell made the announcement Friday at the Delaware Commission of Veterans’ Affairs annual Veterans Day ceremony at the Delaware Veterans Memorial Park in New Castle. Governor Markell committed Delaware to First Lady Michelle Obama’s national Mayors Challenge to End Veteran Homelessness during his State of the State address in January 2015. Since that time, Delaware has housed 414 formerly homeless veterans.

“As I said almost two years ago, even one homeless veteran is one too many,” said Governor Markell. “This Veterans Day, as we honor those who made the ultimate sacrifice for our country, I am proud to say that Delaware has stepped up for our veterans in need. We now have systems in place to ensure that veteran homelessness is a rare occurrence, and is prevented whenever possible. We will remain committed to this effort, and to getting our veterans the help and resources they need and deserve.”

“Every person who has served our nation in uniform deserves a safe, stable place to call home. Today, Delaware has shown ending veteran homelessness is not just aspirational, but achievable,” said HUD Secretary Castro. “I’m proud to congratulate Governor Markell, his dedicated team, and their strong local partners for ensuring permanent housing solutions for the brave men and women who’ve sacrificed so much for our nation.”

“One of the best things we can do to honor our servicemen and women is to take good care of them once they finish their time in our military,” said U.S. Senator Tom Carper, a 23-year veteran of the Navy. “Today’s announcement that Delaware has effectively ended veteran homelessness is a wonderful example for the nation of what can be done when local, state and federal partners come together to help our community.”

Gary Dawkins, an Honorably Discharged U.S. Army veteran who became homeless after difficulty finding employment, also attended Friday’s announcement. Dawkins found shelter at Home of the Brave and participated in a Department of Labor workforce training program. He later became eligible for public housing for seniors through the Delaware State Housing Authority (DSHA).

“The road to overcoming any challenge is persistence, passion, and patience,” Dawkins said. “If you do the right thing, others will see that and follow your example.”

Leadership of all three Delaware counties and mayors in eight towns and cities – Wilmington, Newark, Dover, Seaford, Georgetown, Bridgeville, Blades and Greenwood – committed to Delaware’s initiative to end veteran homelessness. DSHA led the statewide working group since early last year, bringing together provider groups, local officials, county governments, and other partner organizations to coordinate resources on behalf of veterans facing homelessness in Delaware.

Together, the group developed a formal process to share data about veteran homelessness; increased targeting of the most intensive resources to homeless veterans with the greatest need; and improved connections between veteran-specific resources and resources for homelessness prevention and rapid-rehousing. DSHA and the Delaware Department of Health and Social Services also set aside state-funded rental assistance vouchers for homeless veterans who did not qualify for federal assistance.

“We were proud to lead this effort and help coordinate services so we can more effectively help veterans who face the prospect of homelessness,” said Anas Ben Addi, Director of the Delaware State Housing Authority. “After volunteering to serve our country, no veteran should be left without a place to turn. We believe the changes that we’ve made will make a real difference in the lives of veterans here in Delaware, and we will continue to refine and improve this effort.”

Partners in Delaware’s statewide initiative to end veteran homelessness included local and county governments; the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs; the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development; the Delaware Commission of Veterans Affairs; the Delaware Department of Health and Social Services; the Homeless Planning Council of Delaware; Delaware Continuum of Care; and Supportive Services for Veterans Families providers, including Connections and the Veterans Multi-Service Center.

“On a day when Americans come together to honor the sacrifices of our nation’s veterans, I am so pleased we can mark this occasion with a declaration of progress and support for Delaware veterans deserving our help. The milestone announced in Delaware today is a reminder that federal, state, and local governments can solve large complex problems when they use evidence-based approaches and work together,” said U.S. Secretary of Veterans Affairs Robert A. McDonald.

“I am proud that VA has partnered with a wide range of organizations to prevent and end veteran homelessness and is providing healthcare, education, job training, and wraparound supportive services to more veterans than ever. To sustain the progress in Delaware and other communities that have achieved this important goal and also encourage continued progress in places that have not yet ended veteran homelessness, ongoing investment is critical. VA will not let up until every veteran has permanent housing.”

The Delaware Commission of Veterans Affairs hosted Friday’s announcement at its annual Veterans Day ceremony at Veterans Memorial Park at the Delaware Memorial Bridge.

“The Delaware Commission of Veterans Affairs is proud to have contributed to ending veteran homelessness in Delaware,” said Larence Kirby, Executive Director of the Commission. “Many veterans face housing struggles and when we had a chance to help through federal and state agencies, we jumped at the chance. With the help of these agencies, Delaware now has the teamwork and resources available to ensure that homeless veterans can be set on the path towards permanent housing.”


Biden’s Office giving back to those who’ve served at a Military and Veterans Resource Fair – July 30, 2014

Dover – Attorney General Beau Biden announced  that his office is sponsoring a Delaware Military and Veterans Resource Fair on Wednesday, July 30 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Delaware State University in Dover.  This free, one-day event is open to active and reserve members of the United States military and Delaware National Guard, veterans, and their families.

 

“We owe a debt of gratitude to those in uniform who have sacrificed to serve our country and protect our freedoms,” Biden said.  “Our Military and Veteran’s Resource Fair is one small way we’re giving back to those who have given so much.  At this event on July 30 in Dover we’re bringing state and federal government agencies, non-profits, and other organizations that provide programs and other services to members of the military and their families together in one place.  I encourage all members of our active duty and reserves, military veterans, and their families to join us on July 30 and be connected with the many services available to them.”

 

The event will feature remarks by Holly Petraeus, Director of the Office of Servicemember Affairs for the Federal Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, as well as presentations by staff from Biden’s Fraud and Family divisions, representatives from the Delaware State Housing Authority, and others.  These presentations will highlight the many state and federal benefits and resources available to members of the armed forces and their families.

 

In addition, informational tables will be staffed on-site to connect attendees to a wide range of state resources available through these and other agencies:

 

 

Petraeus’s office and other federal agencies enforce the federal Servicemembers Civil Relief Act (SCRA), which provides special federal legal protections to military personnel.  Dating back to the Civil War, the SCRA protects members of the military from having to defend themselves against most civil proceedings, such as foreclosure, while they are serving their country on active duty or are forced to move because of their military service. The federal SCRA also protects servicemembers who have to break leases or contracts due to military deployment.

 

Delaware servicemembers will soon benefit from a state version of the SCRA which secured final passage in the General Assembly this past Monday and is set to be signed by Governor Markell.  This legislation, Senate Bill 206, championed by Attorney General Biden, incorporates the federal into a state law and also expands the SCRA by extending relief to members of the Delaware National Guard who are called into active military service for the State of Delaware for a period of more than 30 consecutive days.
Examples of provisions of the federal SCRA include:

  • Servicemembers cannot have default judgments entered against them because there are on active duty and civil proceedings must be stayed.
  • Military servicemembers (who live off base) cannot have their homes foreclosed on while they’re deployed on active duty and their mortgage interest rate, if higher than 6 percent, must be lowered to 6 percent.
  • The SCRA requires the stay or vacation of execution of judgments, attachments and garnishments for deployed military members.
  • Military personal cannot be being charged penalties, such as fines and fees, incurred under contracts due to military service.

 

The Attorney General’s Military and Veterans Resource Fair will take place at DSU’s Martin Luther King Student Center, located near the main campus entrance at 1200 North DuPont Highway, Dover.  No RSVPs are necessary.  Updated information about the event, including a schedule, will be posted on the Attorney General Office’s homepage at http://attorneygeneral.delaware.gov/.

 

# # #


DCVA Announces VA Shuttle Service for Lower Delaware Vets

The Wilmington VA Medical Center (VAMC) now offers a free shuttle service for Veterans with medical appointments at the Wilmington VAMC in Elsmere, DE. The shuttle runs Mon. thru Thurs., excluding federal holidays.
“The shuttle will help a lot of patients who may need to be seen at a specialty clinic at the main facility,” said Ginny Yelland, VA spokesman. “It will relieve a lot of stress for veterans caused by driving long distances especially in heavy traffic. We are really pleased to offer this to area veterans.”
To be eligible to ride the free shuttle, veterans must first have a scheduled clinic appointment at the medical center, and they must call their primary care team scheduler in advance to make a reservation to ride the shuttle. Family members over the age of 16 may accompany veteran patients for scheduled clinic appointments. The shuttles are not available for family members to utilize to visit veteran inpatients.
The 16 passenger courtesy shuttle round-trip service departs from the Sussex County Community Based Outpatient Clinic, 15 Georgetown Plaza, Georgetown, DE at 8:30 a.m. and stops at the Kent County VA Community Based Outpatient Clinic, 1198 S. Governors Ave., Dover, DE. The shuttle will depart from the Wilmington VAMC for the return trip at 2:30 p.m. returning to the Delaware Community Based clinics.
Veterans who have appointments at the Wilmington VAMC may schedule reservations on the shuttle by contacting their primary care team. Reservations are first-come, first-served.