Keynote speaker announced for Delaware Veterans Trust Fund dinner Nov. 3
Retired Navy Command Master Chief Charles ‘Chuck’ Baldwin will keynote the 5th Annual Dinner for the Delaware Veterans Trust Fund at Dover Downs Rollins Center Saturday, Nov. 3.
“Mr. Baldwin also serves as a member of the Delaware Commission of Veterans Affairs representing the state’s Vietnam veterans, but his contributions to Delaware and his fellow veterans go far beyond that,” said Paul Davis, president of Delaware State Council, Vietnam Veterans of America, and vice president of the Friends of Delaware Veterans, the fundraising organization of the trust fund.
During his 28-year Navy career, Baldwin served as the top enlisted man on the 5,500-member crew of the nuclear-powered aircraft carrier USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN 69), and was a finalist for Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy.
His focus on leadership and education continued after his retirement, when he served as president of The Charter School of Wilmington. Founded in 1996, it is one of the first charter schools in the nation.
In 2003, he co-founded the Delaware Military Academy in Wilmington, raising more than $15 million for its construction. Its mission is to prepare young men and women for their next level of education and to provide them with a foundation that leads to good citizenship. It has been recognized by the U.S. Department of the Navy as a Distinguished NJROTC Unit with Academic Honors.
Baldwin later advised the founding committee of the First State Military Academy in Clayton, whose students participate in Marine JROTC. In May, the academy featured its first graduating class.
In 2017, he authored “Carrier to Classroom,” with book signings at Barnes & Noble in Wilmington resulting in a $2,700 contribution to the Delaware Veterans Trust Fund. The book encourages military veterans to enter teaching. It details 10 Deckplate Leadership Lessons for all teachers, whether military or civilian. He is a regular speaker at official U.S. Navy events in Washington and beyond. “Carrier to Classroom,” is available on www.Amazon.com.
“We encourage community and business organizations and individuals to be part of this annual event that benefits all generations of Delaware veterans,” said Davis.
For information on the Delaware Veterans Trust Fund, its volunteer board of community leaders and how to become a dinner sponsor or participant, go to www.DelawareVeteransTrustFund.com.
