Delaware Makes History: First Secretary of Veterans Affairs Takes Office
- 39th District Republicans
- Oct 15
- 3 min read
Last Wednesday in Milford, Delaware, a significant moment unfolded for the state’s veterans community — Brigadier General (Ret.) Karen Berry was officially sworn in as Delaware’s first Secretary of Veterans Affairs, elevating veterans’ services to the cabinet level.
Governor Matt Meyer signed HS 1 for HB 1 earlier this year, creating a standalone Department of Veterans Affairs and reassigning key veteran support functions previously handled under the Department of State. The move was driven by veteran advocates who argued that existing structures failed to fully meet the needs of nearly 70,000 Delaware veterans and their families.
Although the new department will operate under the Department of State for budget and administrative purposes during the transition, the aim is full independence by July 1, 2030.
A Historic Confirmation
The Delaware Senate unanimously confirmed General Berry’s nomination on September 22, 2025. Her confirmation marks more than just a symbolic gesture. As the first to hold this title, she inherits the responsibility of shaping the future of veterans’ services in the state.
At her confirmation hearing, she spoke about outreach, saying she intends to leverage “all resources” — including social media and direct engagement with veterans’ organizations — to raise awareness of benefits and services.
Berry’s Distinguished Path to Leadership
Before taking this mantle, Berry had already built an impressive career:
She served 36 years in the Delaware and Connecticut National Guards, including deployment to Afghanistan as Deputy Commander of the 335th Signal Command.
She achieved the distinction of being the first female in the Delaware National Guard to command a brigade and reach the rank of brigadier general.
After retiring from active service in 2023, she applied her experience to advocacy and education, working at Delaware Technical Community College’s Owens Campus to support veterans and their families.
Her academic credentials include a B.S. in Agricultural Engineering Technology (University of Delaware), an M.Ed. in Mathematics (Salisbury University), and a Master of Strategic Studies from the U.S. Army War College.
At the swearing-in ceremony, she emphasized that veterans have long felt their voices were unheard or their paths to benefits unclear. Her goal: to build a department that listens, supports, and ensures every Delaware veteran knows where — and how — to access resources.
What the New Department Aims to Deliver
The newly created Department of Veterans Affairs will seek to streamline and strengthen services across a broad spectrum:
Centralizing benefits assistance and eligibility services
Expanding support for housing, health care coordination, and mental health services
Ensuring the Veterans Home in Milford receives proper attention, especially in staffing and care delivery
Enhancing outreach so veterans are aware of and can access tax credits, fee waivers, education benefits, and more.
Because the department is currently housed within the Department of State for financial and administrative oversight, Berry’s first challenge is to coordinate with existing agencies to build a transition plan that won’t disrupt services.
Looking Ahead
This transition is about more than restructuring. It signals a commitment to elevating veterans’ issues in Delaware’s policy priorities. The first presence of a cabinet-level office dedicated to veterans ensures their interests are heard in the highest chambers of state government.
As Berry moves forward, the success of this initiative will depend on trust, transparency, and action. Her pledge to listen — especially to veterans themselves — is critical. If carried through, the new Department of Veterans Affairs may become a model for how states can reorganize to more effectively honor and support those who served.
Let’s watch closely as Delaware builds this new chapter in service to its veterans.
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