While the Delaware Veterans Coalition has become increasingly visible as a result of its nearly two-year campaign for the appointment of a Delaware Secretary of Veterans Affairs, the coalition was founded in May 2011 as a registered, nonpartisan lobbying organization on behalf of honorably-discharged veterans of all generations residing in Delaware.

Though not part of the state’s Commission of Veterans Affairs, its purpose was to improve communication between the Commission and the veterans organizations they represent throughout Delaware.

The Commission’s 15 members, all veterans who serve voluntarily, are appointed to four-year terms by the state’s governor at the request of their organizations. They meet monthly to share information and feedback from the posts they represent. They also discuss recommendations on legislation to their elected officials but are limited from organization specific lobbying.

The Veterans Coalition has no restriction when working as registered lobbyists on behalf of issues that affect Delaware’s 70,000 veterans and their families. For the record, while the Coalition reaches out to veteran leaders for feedback, its membership is made up of individual veterans rather than organizations and continues to operate independently and pro bono.

May 2011 – The Delaware Veterans Coalition is comprised primarily of Vietnam veterans who met for more than a year to determine how best to assist the generations of patriots who took their places in subsequent conflicts. Dave Skocik and Paul Davis were elected president and vice president and become registered lobbyists who work pro bono and who continue in those roles.

September 2013 – The Veterans Coalition successfully lobbies for the creation of The Delaware Veterans Trust Fund, signed into law September 2013, administered by the state’s Commission of Veterans Affairs. Like the Coalition, it is a pro bono corporation that works in conjunction with the Commission’s Office of Veterans Services to raise awareness and funds. The OVS provides financial grants to assist veterans in proven financial difficulty. The grants have prevented cutoff of utilities, evictions, repossessions of vehicles, made emergency repairs to homes and vehicles, and even made overdue tuition payments as a result of a job loss due to injury. Visit Delaware Veterans Trust Fund.com

January 2014 - The Veterans Coalition creates the non-profit Friends of Delaware Veterans, Inc., to supplement the state’s $25,000 pass through contributions and becomes the voluntary fundraising arm of the Trust Fund. Our 10-member board of military veterans work pro bono throughout the year, raising about $50,000 in fundraising activities, including its annual November dinner in collaboration with the Office of Veterans Services. The Coalition’s board reflects all branches and ranks from enlisted and commissioned members.

September 2017 - The Coalition successfully lobbies the state legislature for an annual budget line of $100,000 for the Trust Fund each July 1, at the start of the state’s fiscal year. It also initiates contact with the Delaware Department of Correction, VA counselors and the state court system to work with incarcerated veterans in preparation for their discharge and reconnection with the VA for reinstatement of their pensions and programs they earned through their service.

March 2019 - The Friends board along with business friends, make personal contributions totaling $25,000 to establish the Friends Endowment, a separate, 501c3 entity managed by the Delaware Community Foundation. Our vision is to ultimately raise $1,000,000 to build a self-funding account that will always be available as a resource for Delaware’s veterans, as needed during times of crisis. None of this private fund can be spent on reimbursements to our board. To date, the Friends are halfway to that goal and invite outside contributions to it. The DCF provides audited quarterly reports.

January 2021: The Veterans Coalition supports legislation to create tax exemptions for 100 percent disabled veterans. HB214 was signed into law on August 10th, 2021, by Governor Carney with House Amendment 1 allowing “… school districts to grant a Disabled Veterans School Property Tax Credit. Beginning in 2022, qualified persons were eligible for a tax credit against 100% of non-vocational school district property tax. This credit may only be used against property taxes assessed on a primary residence. Applications for the upcoming tax year are due April 30th.” “Qualified Persons must: Receive 100% disability compensation due to service-connected, permanent and total disability based on individual unemployability or a 100% disability rating from the U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs (USVDA); and have held legal domicile in Delaware for the past 3 years. Individuals may not claim both the Disabled Veterans School Tax Credit and the Senior School Property Tax Credit.”

March 2023: The Veterans Coalition begins reaching out to veterans and legislators to consider establishing a Secretary of Veterans Affairs as a separate cabinet officer on the governor’s cabinet as someone who understands and holds common bonds of training, leadership, discipline, and sworn loyalty to their state and national government. The new position would oversee and work directly with the 15 appointed members of the State Commission of Veterans Affairs. It’s been estimated that veterans’ pay, education, pensions, specialized training, medical facilities and disability compensation bring about Four Billion dollars to the state each year that’s spent on housing, vehicles, clothing, local medical care, education, recreation and investments.

March 2025 – Veterans and legislators from across the state come together at Legislative Hall in support of HB 1.

June 26, 2025 – Retired Maj. Gen. Frank Vavala speaks in support of HB 1 to a standing ovation in The House.

July 2025 – in special sessions, both houses of the Delaware Legislature unanimously pass HB.

August 13, 2025 – Gov. Matt Meyer signs HB 1 into law at American Legion Post 14, Smyrna surrounded by elected officials, and veterans while 100 others fill the hall.

Nov. 6, 2025 – Secretary of Veterans Affairs Karen Berry, receives a Legislative Tribute.

October 1, 2025 – Retired Army Brig Gen. Karen Berry is sworn in as Delaware's first Secretary of Veterans Affairs. Gov. Matt Meyer holds the bible while retried Army Col. and former Kent County Superior Court Resident Judge William Witham, administers the Oath of Office at the Delaware Veterans Home in Milford. Judge Witham founded Delaware Veterans Court in 2011.

December 9, 2025 – Wreaths Across America annual event at Legislative Hall to address Holy Cross Middle School students about the reason for the ceremony.