Veterans coalition hears from air force major, school advocates
The Delaware Veterans Coalition held its bimonthly meeting at FOP Lodge 3, Kitts Hummock Jan. 30.
The guest speaker was Maj. Kurt A. Schmidbauer, commander of the 436th Comptroller Squadron and Wing Staff agencies. He is the chief financial officer responsible for funds accounting, budget planning, execution and analysis for Dover's $395 million operating budget. Schmidbauer addressed the many assets and talents at the base as well its award-winning community outreach. He took questions afterward and was well received by the membership.
Representatives of the University of Delaware's Blue Hen Veterans addressed the membership, as did Jason Stewart from Delaware Technical Community College's Veterans Inspiring Progress. Stewart was appointed the coalition's Kent County representative at the meeting.
The coalition, now in its sixth year, is reaching out to all generations of the state's veterans, including active duty, National Guard, recently discharged and retired. "We represent common values of service and shared experience," said President Dave Skocik. "Nearly 10 percent of Delawareans, not counting our families, are veterans who bring talent, leadership, salary, retirement and disability pay, federal educational benefits and medical facilities that employ hundreds of people."
The Delaware Veterans Coalition is a statewide, nonprofit, 501c3 lobbying organization that advocates with elected and appointed public officials on issues that affect all generations of Delaware veterans. Membership is open to all honorably discharged veterans residing in Delaware. Meetings are open to veterans regardless of membership. For more information, go to www.DelawareVeteransCoalition.com or call 302-697-8384.
