Senator Coons inspired by Pearl Harbor survivor

MILFORD — To mark the 71st anniversary of the day our nation was attacked at Pearl Harbor, Senator Coons spent the afternoon of December 7th visiting the Delaware Veterans Home in Milford. 

While he was there, Chris was deeply moved by the harrowing story of Thomas Morris, a World War II veteran who survived the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor.  Now over 90 years old, Mr. Morris shared his inspirational story of courage and determination from December 7, 1941.

Originally from Cecil County, Maryland, Mr. Morris joined the Navy and was serving aboard the USS California on the day Pearl Harbor was bombed.  After a torpedo hit his ship, he rushed to rescue his fellow service members and fetch ammo. While he was below deck, a second strike blew him back 100 feet and burned him across his body.

After making it onto one of the last lifeboats and finding his way to shore, Mr. Morris was told by a triage doctor at the Honolulu aid station that there was no way to save his life. The doctor ordered him wrapped in gauze to make him more comfortable, and urged him to prepare for death. The next morning, the astonished doctor found that Mr. Morris was in fact, very much alive – and ready to get back in the fight.

Mr. Morris spent two full months recovering from his injuries, motivated by his desire to fight for his country at a time it needed him. He made a remarkable recovery and immediately joined the crew of a destroyer, where he worked his way up to the rank of gunner’s mate, third class. After fighting honorably, eventually, skin damage caused by his burns required him to return home to his family farm.

“Extraordinary stories of courage from our military veterans are key threads in the rich fabric of our nation’s history,” Chris said.  “Mr. Morris’ story was touching and inspirational, and I am deeply honored to have had the opportunity to hear him describe that terrifying day aboard the USS California first-hand.  His lasting legacy of service and sacrifice will continue to inspire Americans for generations to come.”

The Delaware Veterans Home provides long-term care services to Delaware veterans and it is the only facility of its kind in the state.

Senator Coons recognizes Armed Forces Day

Senator Coons is joining Americans across the country in recognizing Saturday as Armed Forces Day.  This national commemoration serves as a thank you to all service members and their families who sacrifice so much for our nation.

“The men and women who put their lives on the line to protect our freedom are true heroes, and Armed Forces Day is one way to show them our gratitude for their service to our country,” Chris said.  “We also recognize the tremendous sacrifices of the families of our service members.  I will to continue to work hard in Washington on behalf of all service members and their families—it’s the least we can do for America’s heroes.”

Created in 1949 by the Department of Defense, Armed Forces Day combines previously separate Army, Navy, Air Force and Coast Guard days. Armed Forces Day is not just dedicated to the men and women who serve in the military, but also to their families.  To show the appreciation of a grateful nation, all 397 national parks will be issuing free passes on Saturday for active troops and their children to enjoy relaxation, rejuvenation, and just plain fun. 

Chris will celebrate Armed Forces Day by attending the Newark Memorial Day Parade at the University of Delaware on Sunday. The event is dedicated to the United States Armed Forces and the Delawareans who have given their lives for freedom. A ceremony will be held on the University of Delaware’s Green at 1:00 pm, followed by a parade on Main Street.

Senator Coons congratulates Dover AFB reserves on national award

This morning, Dover’s own 512th Airman and Family Readiness of the 512th Airlift Wing at Dover Air Force Base was honored with the 2011 Reserve Family Readiness Award for the U.S. Air Force Reserves. Every year, the award goes to the best unit in each reserve component that prepares airmen and their families for deployment, sustains them throughout, and supports them in their reintegration when they return. The award-winning 512th A&FR supports more than 1,800 airmen and their families connected to Dover Air Force Base, who are spread over 29 states.

The 512th A&FR’s director, Master Sergeant Laura Coseglia, accepted the award on behalf of her team from Acting Assistant Secretary of Defense for Reserve Affairs David McGinnis at a ceremony held at the Pentagon. Senator Coons was presiding over the Senate at the time of the ceremony, but a member of his staff was present, as was wing commander Colonel Randal L. Bright.

Master Sgt. Coseglia’s team has earned best in the nation honors because of their community-based approach to support for airmen and their families. Rather than focus on a top-down, directive based approach to meeting the needs of men and women who serve, the 512th A&FR reaches out to our Delaware community, partnering with over 175 different military, non-profit, business, education, and veteran groups. In today’s austere environments, when needs seem to always outstrip resources, this broad community-based approach opens up creative possibilities for meeting needs.

Senator Coons believes that the community-based approach to serving needs in Delaware that the 512th A&FR does the best in the nation provides the flexibility and responsiveness that is too often lagging in support for our nation’s service members and veterans. He will join with Wilmington University on April 21 for Operation Success, a job fair and outreach event for service members, veterans, and their families, which is bolstered by the Delaware service members support community, including the 512th A&FR.

National Guard gets its seat at the table

After months of deliberation, the Senate passed the final version of a piece of legislation that would give the Chief of the National Guard Bureau a seat on the Joint Chiefs of Staff. Senator Coons has been an outspoken advocate for this measure that is important to many Delawareans who admire the value our state’s National Guard adds to U.S. national security.

Most recently, Chris penned an op-ed in The Delaware State News.

Though the courage of members of the National Guard is no less respected than the other branches, and the sacrifice of their families is every bit as great, passing the legislation was not about rewarding extraordinary service. Rather, it was about recognizing what we need to do for our future in order to keep our country safe. It was about bringing to bear every resource we have for the defense of this nation.

The Joint Chiefs of Staff are the top military advisers to the president and to the Secretary of Defense. They are responsible for making sure our military is prepared for every threat to our national security, but as those threats tilt toward the asymmetric, so must our military planning.

Click here to read the entire op-ed.

Married LGB service members seek equal access to marriage benefits

In another step toward securing the equality due all Americans, today the Servicemembers Legal Defense Network filed a federal lawsuit on behalf of eight married same-sex military couples seeking access to the same benefits available to married opposite-sex military couples.

Though you can be gay or lesbian and serve in the military now because of the repeal of Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell, your spouse can’t get a military identification card, he or she can’t access any programs for military families, housing benefits, health insurance, or surviving spouse benefits.

The suit is a constitutional equal protection challenge to the Defense of Marriage Act and seeks marriage recognition for every legally married military spouse. Specifically, it challenges DOMA, as well as other statutory definitions of “spouse” in Title 10, Title 32 and Title 38 of the U.S. Code.

Just as repealing Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell was about restoring balance and equality in access to the responsibility of service, the suit seeks to restore balance and equality in access to the benefits of service.

Learn more at sldn.org.

Video: Senator Coons' floor speech on repeal of DADT

Senator Coons spoke on the floor of the Senate Tuesday to celebrate the end of Don't Ask, Don't Tell.

Senator Coons applauds the final enactment of Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell repeal

After 18 long years, we have put an end to the military’s discriminatory policy of Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell. To mark the day, Senator Chris Coons, an outspoken advocate and cosponsor of the Senate legislation that repealed the Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell policy, released the following statement:                                    

“Today is a momentous day, and I am proud to stand with the millions of Americans for whom the end of Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell means the beginning of a new era of equality for our nation. Repealing Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell wasn’t just about our pursuit of equal rights, but the pursuit of equal responsibility. The nearly 14,000 service members discharged under Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell simply wanted to serve their country, but were deemed unfit to serve not because of what they did, but because of whom they loved. Thousands more were forced to serve in silence, proud of their uniform but made to feel ashamed of the person underneath. Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell was discrimination, plain and simple… but I’m proud to say it is no more.”

Photo displayed above is Chris at a Senate press conference in December showing his support for Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell repeal legislation, which was signed into law by President Obama on December 22, 2010.

To learn more about Chris’ work on civil rights click here.

Chris joins Delaware veterans for remembrance ceremonies at DC memorials

Senator Coons had the pleasure of welcoming more than 150 Delaware veterans to Washington, DC, during the veterans’ stop at the World War II and Korean War memorials on Thursday. The trip was sponsored by the Delaware Police Chiefs’ Council, the Delaware Police Chiefs’ Foundation, the Delaware State Troopers Association, and the State Lodge- Fraternal Order of Police. During his visit, Chris expressed his gratitude for the Delawareans’ service, sacrifice, and commitment to our country.

“Congress must meet its commitment to the men and women who have served our nation in uniform,” Chris said in brief remarks to the group. “This includes ensuring that veterans have access to quality, affordable health care and that military retirees receive their promised retirement benefits. The members of our armed services protect our nation and our liberties every day. We must support them while they serve and after they return home.”

Following his welcome, a small group of veterans were asked to assist in the placing of a wreath at the Delaware Pillar of the World War II Memorial, while members of the Delaware State Police played the bagpipes and bugle.

A similar ceremony was then held at the Korean War Memorial to honor the Delaware veterans who served in Korea. A wreath was placed at the memorial and the veterans heard from retired Colonel Warren Wiedhahn of the United States Marine Corps.

To learn more about Senator Coons’ work to help veterans, click here.

Senator Coons hosts roundtable on jobs for veterans

NEW CASTLE — Senator Coons hosted a roundtable discussion on jobs for veterans at the Delaware National Guard headquarters on Monday, with participants from the military, public, private, medical, and academic sectors.  They joined Chris to talk about the high unemployment rates for veterans nationally and what steps can be taken here in Delaware to provide resources to returning service members and help them find jobs. 

The first of three roundtables Chris is hosting on job creation, Monday’s meeting included 19 participants and focused on the unique challenges facing veterans as they return home from service in Iraq and Afghanistan.  The discussion, which lasted for an hour and a half, drew on the participants’ work and areas of expertise in creating opportunities to help ease veterans’ transition back to the civilian workforce. 

“For months I’ve been meeting with military leaders, veterans who are looking for work, business leaders, and government officials, and the message I’m hearing from everyone is the same – we need to do more to boost hiring rates of those who’ve served,” Chris said.  “To help returning veterans get into the workforce we need to do two things simultaneously.  First, we need to get our economy moving again in order to create jobs, and second, we need to help businesses recognize the value in the leadership and technical skills our veterans gained from their service.”

With the national unemployment rate for veterans under the age of 24 at 21.1%, Chris introduced the Hire America’s Heroes Act in May.  The bill would provide additional assistance to service members transitioning into the civilian workforce, but Chris believes this legislation must only be a first step.  Monday’s roundtable discussion convened stakeholders in an effort to produce new ideas for Chris to bring to Washington when the Senate returns for its September session. 

Chris will host another roundtable on August 25, focusing on Delaware’s high-tech and R&D sector, and he will host a third one on August 31 to discuss community-based small businesses.   

To learn more about what Chris is doing to help Delaware’s veterans, click here. 

Senator Coons to host roundtable on jobs for veterans on Monday

Senator Coons will host the first of three roundtable discussions on job creation on Monday afternoon at the headquarters of the Delaware National Guard in New Castle.  Focusing on finding ways to increase job opportunities for veterans — especially recently returned veterans of operations in Iraq and Afghanistan — this first roundtable will include participants from the military, civilian agencies, veterans groups, and Delaware businesses. 

“After working for years in the private sector and local government,” Chris said, “I know that the best ideas for creating jobs are going to come from the people on the front lines of the economic recovery.  I talk with out-of-work Delawareans and small business owners just about every day, but these roundtables will facilitate a more dynamic group discussion that I hope will generate new ideas that we can apply in Washington to help create jobs for Delawareans.”

Nationally, unemployment among veterans is 13.3%, and for those under the age of twenty-four returning from Iraq and Afghanistan the rate is a staggering 21.1%, according to the Department of Labor.  Chris joined in introducing the Hiring Heroes Act in May, which would provide additional assistance to service members transitioning into the civilian workforce, but he believes more can and must be done.  The goal of this roundtable discussion is to bring stakeholders together in order to generate new ideas that Chris can take back with him to Washington when Congress reconvenes in September. 

“After they fought for our freedom abroad, our veterans shouldn’t have to fight hard just to get a job here at home,” Chris said.  Those participating in this first roundtable will be:

• Christine F. Kubik, Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve, Delaware
• Daniel Young, Delaware Military Community Partners
• Jim Tribbitt, Delaware Department of Labor
• Harry Gravell, Helmets to Hardhats, National Building Trades
• Antonio “Tony” Davila, Delaware Veterans Commission
• Edward Scully, Summit Aviation
• Robert Fitzpatrick, Summit Aviation
• Wesley Schroeder, Summit Aviation
• Jeffery Brown, Tidewater Utilities
• Sheila Mittucci, Saint Francis Hospital
• Sarmite Tyus, Wilmington VA Medical Center
• Victor Santos, Delaware State University
• Wendelin Henry, Delaware State University
• Shannon Freeze-Flory, DuPont
• Patricia R. Edwards, Dover Air Force Base
• Laura Coseglia, Dover Air Force Base
• James S. Webb, Wilmington University
• David B. Rich, United States Department of Labor
• James M. Provo, Small Business Administration
• Tim Keefe, JPMorgan Chase