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.

Video: Senator Coons talks detainees with Chris Hayes

Still in Washington for votes on Saturday morning, Senator Coons appeared on MSNBC's Up with Chris Hayes to discuss the controversial detainee provisions in the National Defense Authorization Act approved by the Senate earlier in the week.

Earlier in the week, Senator Coons entered an in-depth statement into the Congressional Record detailing his objections to the detainee provisions. Click here to read it. 

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.