Monday, September 28, 2009

No Veterans Groups for Mayor Bloomberg

http://www.nydailynews.com/news/election_2009/2009/09/27/2009-09-27_veterans_awol_from_mayor_bloombergs_list_of_endorsements.html

Veterans groups AWOL from Mayor Bloomberg's list of endorsements

Adam Lisberg

Sunday, September 27th 2009, 4:00 AM

Mayor Bloomberg appears to have a veteran problem.

As of last week, his campaign counted more than 400 endorsements - but just one of them was from a veterans group. And that group doesn't even exist.

The "Panamanian and Ethnic American Veterans Political Action Committee," which has its own page on Bloomberg's Web site, has never filed any paperwork, made any donations or endorsed a candidate - besides Bloomberg.

Rev. Guillermo Martino, a Panamanian-American Vietnam veteran who heads the Tabernacle of God's Glory in Crown Heights, Brooklyn, said the 125-member group wants to build a community center for its fellow Panamanian immigrants.

"At the beginning, we weren't doing anything politically," Martino said last week. "This year, they came over and asked us to give them our support."

He said a Bloomberg campaign worker told them the mayor could help them get a building for their center - but did not offer any specifics, or offer it as a quid pro quo.

"There were promises that we felt in our heart," Martino said. "He's going to help us to obtain the building. We believe it, and we will stand on that."

So does he think Bloomberg has helped veterans?

"I have not seen it, no. I'm looking forward that he will start," Martino said. "We are looking forward to him learning from whatever mistakes he made in the past."

Funny thing is, some veterans active in real organizations say the same thing - that Bloomberg hasn't reached out to soldiers returning from Iraq and Afghanistan, hasn't done enough to help homeless or addicted vets, and hasn't gone out of his way to help veterans get jobs and housing.

"We haven't had much in the way of proactive help from the mayor," said Edward Daniels, who chairs a group called the Incarcerated Veterans Consortium.

He was invited to a "Veterans for Bloomberg" meeting at the campaign's headquarters earlier this month, but after hearing a presentation about Bloomberg's record, he said he walked out unimpressed.

Critics say the Mayor's Office of Veterans Affairs, which Bloomberg elevated to a commissioner-level department two years ago, rarely starts new initiatives and tends to piggyback on the work of other groups.

And Bloomberg has been to only one servicemember's funeral in more than three years.
Some veterans back him: Stephen Kaufman, an Air Force vet who attended the "Veterans for Bloomberg" meeting, said he lent his support after hearing his plans for more outreach and counseling in a third term.

"He's very subtle, but he's getting it done," said another attendee, Joe Graham, president of the Manhattan branch of the Vietnam Veterans of America. "I think he's terrific for vets."

As Bloomberg campaigns for a third term, he is actively soliciting votes with groups like "Asians for Bloomberg" and "Women for Bloomberg" and "Urban Young Professionals for Bloomberg." But you can scour his Web site and never find mention of an organized "Veterans for Bloomberg" - just a phantom group of Panamanians.

Jerald Terwilliger
National Chairman
American Cold War Veterans, Inc.
"We Remember"

Friday, September 25, 2009

Pennsylvania to dedicate Cold War Memorial

Slowly and surely the Cold War is garnering recognition. Cities, towns, counties, states are remembering the Cold War, what it meant, how it influenced our country.

Many high schools and collages now have courses dedicated to the Cold War as part of their history/social science requirements.

We are still attempting to convince Congress to authorize a Cold War Service Medal. It has been a long struggle, but we will not give up the fight.


Cold War monument to be dedicated


The Veterans Memorial Park and Education Center Society will be dedicating the Cold War Monument, their most recent project, on Monday, Oct. 12 at 1 p.m. This event will take place at Veterans Park at Airport Park in Matamoras. The Cold War spanned the years 1945 to 1991. Although not a shooting war, it was a time of serious tension between the United States, its allies and the Soviet Union. To honor the sacrifice of the men and women who served during that period of time, park sponsors are inviting all military posts, organizations, individual veterans, and the general public to attend the dedication. Military posts that would like to take part in the ceremony with their color guards, are asked to contact Dick Gassmann at 570-491-4003, or Gene Goldner at 570-686-1448





Please contact your elected officials in Washington ask them to introduce legislation, or be a cosponsor when someone else brings forth a bill to authorize and direct DoD to issue a Cold War Service/Victory Medal.


Jerald Terwilliger, Chairman

American Cold War Veterans, Inc

Friday, September 18, 2009

Ask President Obama

This Sunday George Stephanopolous will be interviewing President Obama. The ABC website
has a link that you can use to send a question to ask the President. This is another chance to
get the American Cold War Veterans, Inc and our quest for a Cold War Service/Victory Medal
some national attention.

Here is the link to the ABC website
http://abcnews.go.com/ThisWeek/question-president-barack-obama-email-george-stephanopoulos/story?id=8578184

I asked the following question:

Mr. President:

This year marks the 20th anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall, and the 17th anniversary
of the end of the Soviet Union, and thus the Cold War.

During the election campaign you twice stated you thought a Cold War Victory Medal was something you supported. Will you this year issue an Executive Order to establish and have
issued a Cold War Victory (or Service) Medal to all those who served honorably from Sept. 1945
to Dec. 1991?

Thank you,

Jerald Terwilliger, Chairman
American Cold War Veterans, Inc

Monday, September 14, 2009

Gov. Schwarznegger to sign bill

Governor Schwarznegger has promised to sign legislation declaring March 30 of every year as "Welcome Home Vietnam Veterans Day"

Assemblyman Paul Cook thanked the legislature for passing his bill after a similar bill was vetoed by the Governor last week.

"From day one, my intention was clear – establishing a 'Welcome Home Vietnam Veterans Day' to honor California's Vietnam veterans for their bravery and sacrifices on the battlefield in serving our country," Cook stated in a media advisory.

Cook emphasized, "This is a special day for Vietnam vets who have been ignored for decades throughout this country. This is a day to appreciate them and the sacrifices they made on behalf of this great nation. How fitting that on 9-11, Democrats and Republicans came together as Californians and Americans to honor our Vietnam veterans.

Schwarzenegger issued the following statement regarding the bill: "Thousands of Californians answered our nation's call to serve during the Vietnam War. They served with honor and distinction, and many courageously gave their lives to protect the freedoms that we as Americans hold dear. Declaring a public day of remembrance with the 'Welcome Home Vietnam Veterans Day' is an important reminder for all Californians to reflect on the sacrifices and valiant contributions that California's great Vietnam veterans have made for us all."

The American Cold War Veterans, Inc. thank the Governor and the state of California for this step in recognizing our fellow veterans.

Now the question is: Will California do the same for Cold War Veterans? These veterans are
ignored and spurned and forgotten. Many people feel that Cold War Veterans are not really veterans, made to feel unwanted and not appreciated.

20 years since the fall of the Berlin Wall, and 17 years since the collapse of the Soviet Union is
too long. It is time to acknowledge the fact that there was indeed a Cold War, lasting 46 years,
and the the U.S. did in fact win. Time to honor these brave and dedicated veterans is now.

Jerald Terwilliger
Chairman, American Cold War Veterans, Inc.
"We Remember"

Sunday, September 13, 2009

Gulf War Aircraft Losses

We sometimes forget that the Gulf War/Desert Shield/Desert Storm were part of the Cold
War era. Short lived though it was, there were losses that could not be considered any different or account for less. Any loss is felt by all, we grieve along with the family of the who gave their all.

Iraq lost a total of 259 aircraft in the war, 122 in combat. They lost 36 aircraft shot down in aerial combat during Desert Storm.[48] 3 helicopters and two fighters were shot down during the invasion of Kuwait on August 2, 1990. Kuwaiti claims to have shot down as many as 37 Iraqi aircraft have not been confirmed[49] In addition, 68 fixed wing aircraft and 13 helicopters were destroyed on the ground, and 137 aircraft were flown to Iran and not returned.[50]

The Coalition lost 52 fixed-wing aircraft and 23 helicopters during Desert Storm, with 39 fixed-wing aircraft and 5 helicopters lost in combat.[50] Only one Coalition fighter was lost in aerial combat, with Iraqi pilots making a second, more dubious claim.[51] The rest of the Coalition losses came from antiaircraft fire. The Americans lost 28 fixed-wing aircraft and 5 helicopters, the British 7 fixed-wing aircraft, the Saudis 2, the Italians 1, and the Kuwaitis 1. [52] In addition, during the invasion of Kuwait on August 2 1990 the Kuwaiti Air Force lost 12 fixed-wing aircraft destroyed on the ground, 6 helicopters shot down and 2 destroyed on the ground.[49]

Coalition losses to enemy fire

190 Coalition troops were killed by Iraqi combatants, the rest of the 379 coalition deaths being from friendly fire or accidents. This number was much lower than expected. Among the American dead were three female soldiers.

This is a list of Coalition troops killed by country.

Flag of the United States United States - 293 (113 by enemy fire, 145 in accidents, 35 to friendly fire)

Flag of the United Kingdom United Kingdom - 47 (38 by enemy fire, 9 to friendly fire)

Flag of Saudi Arabia Saudi Arabia - 18 [63]

Flag of Egypt Egypt - 11[64]

Flag of the United Arab Emirates United Arab Emirates - 6[65]

Flag of Syria Syria - 2[66]

Flag of France France - 2

Flag of Kuwait Kuwait - 1 (as part of Operation Desert Storm)[67]

Friendly fire

While the death toll among Coalition forces engaging Iraqi combatants was very low, a substantial number of deaths were caused by accidental attacks from other allied units. Of the 148 American troops who died in battle, 24% were killed by friendly fire, a total of 35 service personnel. A further 11 died in detonations of allied munitions. Nine British service personnel were also killed in a friendly fire incident when a USAF A-10 Thunderbolt II attacked a group of two Warrior IFVs.

These brave men and women deserve our honor and respect, our thoughts and prayers.

They also deserve the Cold War Victory Medal, when it is issued.

Jerald Terwilliger, Chairman

American Cold War Veterans, Inc.


Venezuela to get Russian Missiles and Tanks

During his visit to Russia it appears Hugo Chavez made some great deals.

In addition to at least 100 T-70 and T-90 tanks valued at over $500 Million that President Medevdev said were being sold to Venezuela other arms will be sold as well.

Chavez says that Venezuela will be receiving short range missiles.

"Soon some little rockets are going to be arriving," he said at the presidential palace. "They can fly 300 kms. And they don't miss their targets."

"We are not going to attack anybody, these are just defense tools, because we are going to defend our country from any threat, wherever it may come from," he went on. "We need to increase our defense potential," he said. "A blockade is closing in around us."

I believe that the intention is to attempt to stop Colombia from allowing the U.S. from building a military base in the neighboring country.

The US wants this base to help in the fight against drugs. Chavez claims that the base will be used to further American interests in South America, and possibly an attempt against Venezuela.

As Russia continues to reach out to other countries they are also looking towards Asia notably India and Pakistan.

After Putin's speech warning against attacks on Iran one has to wonder how much power he actually gave up to Medvedev.

Jerald Terwilliger, Chairman

American Cold War Veterans, Inc.

Saturday, September 12, 2009

Russia says the Cold War is Over

From RIA Novosti

http://en.rian.ru/valdai_op/20090909/156071681.html

YAKUTSK. (Pavel Andreev, RIA Novosti political commentator) - The cold war is over. This has been certified by the members of the Valdai Discussion Club - the world’s leading experts on Russia and geopolitics – who gathered in Yakutsk for the 6th annual summit.

The cold war might be dead, but its legacy is still influencing relations between Russia and the West. The attitude towards each other – particularly among elites – is still modelled on the stereotypes of the cold war. Every complication, every conflict in relations turns into a reenactment of cold war rhetoric (luckily so far not practice).
The end of the Cold War brewed expectations of “paradise” of Russia and the West embracing each other within one family of nations. Yet, this “paradise” was lost once the West failed to adopt and integrate Russia in the 1990-s when it was most open to it.

The West has been failing to grasp the peculiarities of internal Russian development. Russia cannot follow the suit of the Eastern European countries’ integration into western Euroatlantic structures. It has been a major force in the European politics for hundreds of years and would not be satisfied with the role of junior partner. Moreover, domestic traditions precluded a rapid adoption of Western values.

Russia today is a paradox. It’s a brew of westernised society and traditionalized and nationalized foreign policy. This is a paradox it is struggling to communicate to its partners in the West, who on their own struggle to grasp what Russia is about and often continue to perceive it through the lens of cold war stereotypes.

Europe and Western societies on the whole are built on the basis of common values. They don’t see Russia as fully sharing these values. In turn, the West is afraid of a modern national state build-up. Hence, the building of a national state in Russia provokes a policy of not allowing the country its sphere of influence in the post-Soviet space to build an alternative structure of integration around itself.

The past year has seen many new elements in international relations – the global financial crisis, a new American administration. Yet, the trends have remained. The capabilities of the United States have dropped. The focus of world politics is moving eastwards. Issues with Russia have not been resolved either. The emotional heat in the wake of the war in the Caucasus is still determining attitudes and policies. The U.S., despite being overstretched and short on resources, is continuing a policy of “selective engagement, selective containment.” This is particularly troubling for Washington in a time when its traditional pillars, like NATO, are struggling and there is a need to support the U.S. with a multilateral effort. This applies to the hottest areas for debate such as Afghanistan and Iran. This also opens up the potential for a strategic partnership between Russia and the West on non-European issues and challenges of mutual concern.

At the same time, there is a need to cool down the rhetoric on the hot topics, such as NATO expenditure, U.S.’ ABM systems in Europe and pipeline politics. Russia cannot expect the Obama administration to take these items off the agenda officially. But can it de-facto rely on a claim of indefinite postponement? However, the ongoing rhetoric from Russian leadership against these issues is deemed counterproductive in the greater scheme of things.

Then there is the acute problem of post-Soviet space. The CIS and the developments around Ukraine present the most danger. There is a complex of the “younger brother” rallying in these countries which contemplates confrontation tendencies. Of course, Russia has no right to veto Ukraine’s or Georgia’s accession to NATO or the EU. The problem is that accession doesn’t lead to the improvement of European security. On the other hand, it is not altogether clear, whether Russian interests in the CIS are limited to economic integration or rather to a broader imperialistic agenda.

The war in Georgia has highlighted the necessity for a comprehensive Euroatlantic security arrangement. To be comprehensive, it needs to include Russia. Today Russia feels excluded. And as long as Russia feels excluded it will continue to raise problems for others. Even at the height of the Cold War the USSR was considered a part of the prospective European security arrangement (subject to abandoning Communist ideology). However, today, when Russia has given up Communist ideology, there is little interest in the West to reconsider a security arrangement. The current system is satisfactory for the leading players, who will now watch the developments in Russia –whether it will rise or perish in the financial and economic turmoil. However, there is a need to consider the demilitarization of relations between Russia and the West. This model has examples in the country’s relations with Germany and Turkey, where coinciding economic interests prevail.

The question of trust remains fundamental. This goes way back before the Bush administration to the end of the cold war – when new rules had not been agreed upon - and thus cannot be easily changed now. There are a number of topics capable of untying the sides – such as Iran. However, the ultimatums, such as Russia’s declining to support tougher sanctions will end in the appeal of a “reset” between the U.S. and Russia. It is however worth noting that a “reset” has yet to prove itself as a working format, rather than a statement of intent. So far, there is little evidence of the U.S. shifting its priorities in practice.

On the whole, Russia and the West are on a quest for a new identity in their relations. Russia is not an adversary. Nor is it a partner. This paradigm doesn’t exclude conflict from the path of the development in relations. This is all the more possible as the new U.S. administration reinforces the West and uses the financial crisis to weaken Russia.

The positive alternative, however, can be built on a model of the 19th century European concert of powers, based on mutual interests rather than a “zero sum game.”


If the Cold War is over, does that mean we should get our Cold War Victory Medal? YES!

Jerald Terwilliger, Chairman

American Cold War Veterans, Inc.

Friday, September 11, 2009

250 New Iraq and Afhanistan Veterans per day seek VA help

Since the start of the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq and all of the resulting harms to soldiers, civilians, economies and constitutional principles, no segment of society has been more abused and neglected than returning U.S. military veterans --- Houston Chronicle editorial, December 14, 2008

According to government reports obtained exclusively by Veterans for Common Sense (VCS), more than 250 new, first-time Iraq and Afghanistan war veteran patients flood into Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) hospitals and clinics every day. While the press and public are often focused on the more than 5,000 deaths from the two wars, a tidal wave of wounded, injured, and ill continue flooding into VA, with no end in sight. Beginning today, VCS starts publishing official VA reports obtained by VCS using the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA). You can view VCS FOIA archives at our web site:

This effort to obtain documents about VA is the second major FOIA campaign by VCS. In their first FOIA campaign that began in 2002, VCS teamed up with the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) to force the Bush Administration to release documents about torture, as profiled on August 30, 2009, in The New York Times.

In their second FOIA campaign that began in 2006, VCS sought to determine the human and financial costs of the Iraq and Afghanistan wars. After nine months of delay and denial, VA released the reports only after a threat of litigation. For the first time, VCS posts nearly all of the documents obtained from VA using FOIA.

VCS remains the only non-profit with a full-time FOIA campaign targeting VA, the government's second largest agency with an expected budget of $113 billion and more than 270,000 employees.

Written by Paul Sullivan, Executive Director, Veterans for Common Sense posted by Major Robert L. Hanafin, USAF-Retired, Veterans Advocacy Editor, Veterans Today


Jerald Terwilliger, Acting Chairman

American Cold War Veterans, Inc.

Schwarzenegger accepts veto dare - Sacramento Politics - California Politics | Sacramento Bee

Gov. Arnie says NO to Vietnam Veterans. He does not seem to think veterans deserve a "Welcome
Home Day". Vetoes bill to thank veterans

Schwarzenegger accepts veto dare - Sacramento Politics - California Politics | Sacramento Bee

Posted using ShareThis

Jerald Terwilliger
Acting Chairman
American Cold War Veterans, Inc

Saturday, September 5, 2009

Tell Washington to issue a Cold War Victory Medal

Congress will be back in session next week. We are still waiting for someone to bring forth a bill to authorize the Cold War Victory/Service Medal.

Please write, call, fax all of your elected officials ask them to please introduce legislation to authorize a Cold War Victory/Service Medal, or to be a cosponsor when someone else does
bring out a bill.

Remind them that this year marks 20 years since the fall of the Berlin Wall and 17 years
since the end of the Cold War, with the defeat of the Soviet Union. Despite what President Obama said, this victory could not have happened without our brave and dedicated military.

Across the U.S. and around the world we toed the line, looked them in the eye and out waited them, out gunned them; stood ready to do what was necessary. We were there to protect your freedom and we did the job. We suffered lives lost, planes lost, ships attacked.

Remember Korea and Vietnam were part of the Cold War, fighting Communism, just the same
as our men and women manning the missile sites, submarines, SAC, ships at sea, on the ground
in Europe and elsewhere.

Let this be the year for it to happen. A medal should be issued with no more delays and claims of duplication of awards. There is no valid excuse for not saying we won, and deserve a medal.

Jerald Terwilliger
Chairman
American Cold War Veterans, Inc.
"We Remember"

Wednesday, September 2, 2009

Vote for the Cold War Medal

Hey everyone,

The Department of Defense is taking a survey on what questions they want the Secretary of Defense to answer.

Here is our chance. I have submitted a question I would like everyone to vote yes on. Here is how to do it.
go to http://www.defense.gov

on the right hand side click on What questions would you like the Secretary to answer.
When that screen comes up you will have to register. In the box Log in to participate click on the link click here to register
After you register you will have to log in with your user name and password.

As you go down the list...it might be a good idea to vote no on everything except: Secretary Gates do you favor and
will you issue a Cold War Victory Medal this year. Vote yes on that, and also if you vote yes on
Would you support a Europe Defense Service Medal...and Mr. Secretary would you please honor American Cold War
Veterans by joining our group.

This is a great chance for us to really get his attention and see how many veterans want this medal.

Thank you all,

Jerald Terwilliger, Chairman
American Cold War Veterans, Inc
"We Remember"