Wednesday, December 19, 2012

British to Receive Medal for Arctic Convoys

Our British brothers-in-arms will at long last receive a medal to recognize their dangerous and very
hazardous missions during WWII.

A medal, the Arctic Convoy Star will be issued to veterans of the Arctic convoys that brought much
needed supplies to Russia, besieged and starving during World War II.

Our brothers have fought for decades for a campaign medal for the convoys which braved icy weather,
rough seas and attacks by German U-boats, ships and planes.

More than 3,000 British and American sailors perished during the dangerous journeys for Britain
to the northwestern coast of Russia between 1941 and 1945.

Prime Minister David Cameron announced Wednesday that the new medal the Arctic Convoy
Star would give veterans "the recognition they so richly deserve for the very dangerous
work they did."

Cameron also announced a special Royal Air Force clasp for the crews of the Bomber Command,
whose veterans have long complained of unequal treatment to members of the Fighter Command.

Our congratulations and well wishes to our British friends in the culmination of their long struggle
for recognition. May they wear their new medal with pride and distinction. This is well deserved
and a long time in coming to fruition.

---- Jerald Terwilliger Former Chairman American Cold War Veterans "We Remember" ---------------- "And so the greatest of American triumphs... became a peculiarly joyless victory. We had won the Cold War, but there would be no parades." -- Robert M. Gates, 1996

Monday, November 26, 2012

Cold War Service Medal: Read The Articles and Take Action

I see almost daily that people are reading this blog, searching for information on the Cold War Service
Medal. We have been trying for more than ten years to achieve this medal. We even changed the
name from "Victory Medal"(which we would rather see) to "Service Medal" in thoughts of
making the idea more acceptable to some members of Congress. But, after all this time, and
many bills being written we are still short of the goal line. Will it ever come to fruition?
YOU can HELP.

Once you read the articles I ask that you take some action: Use the links on the right to POPVOX to
contact you elected officials asking them to become cosponsors to S.402 and H.R. 1968. These get
delivered to your officials at no cost to you.

You can also go to Congress.org at http://www.congress.org/news/communicating-with-congress/
Where you can send an email or letter to the President, Vice President and Senators and Representatives, which will be delivered. This is a free service also.

Ask President Obama to use an Executive Order to create the Cold War Service Medal. Remind him
that he at least twice said that such a medal was deserved.

You can also visit your Senators and Representatives websites and send them an email there which
will get read.

Phone your officials offices and make your feelings know, ask to speak to who ever is in charge
of veterans affairs or military and defense. You can also send a fax to the office.

Or you can go to signor.org http://signon.org/sign/authorize-and-create and sign a petition to
authorize the Cold War Service Medal Act.

I just ask that you act now, there is not much time left in this session of Congress, and the two bills
will die a slow and painful death, sitting in the Armed Services Committees and we will again
be without recognition.

The Wall Street Journal published and excellent article on Veterans Day about Cold War Veterans.
Several other articles were written such as the one on Breibart.com which called the President to task
Disgrace-Barack-Obama-Broke-Promise-to-Honor-Cold-War-Veterans and many others.

We do understand the current fiscal problems facing our nation, and we know that the Department
of Defense (DoD) has objected to the medal. The DoD cost of $440 million is completely out
of line, the Congressional Budget Office costed the medal at about $30 million over a six year
span; with the start up costs being in the $1 million range.

The cost could become a non-factor as many veterans would be willing to purchase their own medal
from a private vendor, we would suggest Foxfall Medals since their version was designed by
Nadine Russell, the Chief of Creative Heraldry at the Army's Institute of Heraldry.

Do no let the Cold War Veterans be forgotten any longer, we are a vanishing breed; and soon it
will be too late to recognize and honor those of waged "America's Longest War", even though
it was not an officially declared war. Many died defending our country in missions that even
today are still classified Top Secret.

Their stories will probably never be told, as we carry our secrets to our graves. Ignored, dismissed,
disregarded and forgotten, pushed into the dustbin of history.

It did happen, it was a war, as several presidents declared; and we won!



---- Jerald Terwilliger Former Chairman American Cold War Veterans "We Remember" ---------------- "And so the greatest of American triumphs... became a peculiarly joyless victory. We had won the Cold War, but there would be no parades." -- Robert M. Gates, 1996

Monday, November 5, 2012

Mojave Desert Cross To Rise Again As Veterans Memorial

The Mojave Desert Cross which was originally erected in 1934 by the VFW to honor World War I
veterans; will once again be raised on Veterans Day Nov. 11 at 11AM and will be re-dedicated
in a ceremony at 1PM.

The Liberty Institute which represented several major veterans groups as a friend of the court
in the Supreme Court case, made the announcement today.

The Memorial is located in the Mojave National Preserve, Cima Road, Cima, CA 92364.

The Mojave Desert Veterans Memorial is the only WWI Memorial that has been designated by
Congress as a National Memorial. It stood in place for over 60 peaceful years as a time honored tribute,
until 2001 when the ACLU filed a lawsuit claiming that the Cross stood on public land; and violated
the Constitution.

So for almost 13 years the legal battle has dragged on, during this time the Memorial was
bagged, torn down,  put in a box and stolen by vandals.

In April U.S. District Judge Robert J. Timlin signed an order ending the ACLU lawsuit and thus
paving the way for original 1 acre site on Sunrise Rock to be transferred to the VFW to allow them
to restore the Memorial. In 2003 the United States Congress had authorized the land transfer.

In 2010 the U.S. Supreme Court had ruled in favor of the Memorial and had sent the case back
to the district court to decide the land transfer.

We Thank the Liberty Institute for their help in this cause. The Institute is also representing the
Mt. Soledad Memorial Association in a similar case over the Mt. Soledad Veterans Memorial
that includes a cross on public land.  Also the institute is involved in another case, the Memorial
Peace Cross in Blandensburg, Maryland; a forty foot memorial that has stood for 85 years.


---- Jerald Terwilliger Former Chairman American Cold War Veterans "We Remember" ---------------- "And so the greatest of American triumphs... became a peculiarly joyless victory. We had won the Cold War, but there would be no parades." -- Robert M. Gates, 1996

Monday, October 29, 2012

Free Meals or Discount Meals for Military and Veterans

Once again this year many restaurants are giving away free meals, or discounts on menu items to
active duty military and veterans. There is a very good list on Facebook, that is constantly updated.
you can find the list here Veterans Day Free Meals

I did notice that a few require valid ID cards, you may want to check in advance to see if they will
accept a DD-214 for those of us who are not in the VA system and do not have an ID. They might
accept Drivers License or ID Card with the Veterans designation. Just check in advance

A very large thank you to the participating restaurants that are providing this wonderful tribute
and honor to our troops.

Once again the issue of a government ID card, as H.R. 2985 which would make an ID Card
available to all veterans is an issue that must be pursued.  Contact you Representative to demand
the bill be brought to the floor for a full vote, and vote for passage.


---- Jerald Terwilliger Former Chairman American Cold War Veterans "We Remember" ---------------- "And so the greatest of American triumphs... became a peculiarly joyless victory. We had won the Cold War, but there would be no parades." -- Robert M. Gates, 1996

Friday, October 12, 2012

Manassas, Virginia to Honor Cold War Veterans

For anyone who lives in the Greater DC and Virginia area Cold War Veterans are to be honored
November 10, 2012 in Manassas, VA.

The Greater Manassas Parade Committee announced that the 4th annual Veterans Day Parade
will be held November 10, 2012 at 11:00 AM in Old Town Manassas. The Harris Pavilion area
will be dedicated to Military and Veterans organizations exhibits and information booths.

Parade Secretary and American Legion Post 10 Commander "Top" Mark E. Meier (USMC, ret)
said that while "the parade will honor ALL veterans as we have in the past, this year we will offer
a special appreciation to our Cold War Veterans." Meier added "that these Cold War Veterans
are owed a special debt; Americans slept safe because millions of its citizenry spent their youth
standing guard & watch, manning missile silos and ready lines to protect us from those who
wished to harm our Nation."

For further information please contact Ginger Harvey 571-641-5350 or email at
gch1130@aol.com and visit their website at Manassas Veterans Parade

This is yet another tribute in the slowly growing recognition of our Cold War Veterans. It is heart
warming to see that a growing tread is spreading across our great country, as more cities and towns
are pay attention to those brave men and women who stood the line during the very trying and
sometimes frightening period known as the Cold War.

We take notice of the Cold War Memorials are starting to sprout around our land, in small and large
population areas. We at the American Cold War Veterans are still in the planning stages of our
push for a National Cold War Memorial to be placed in our Nation's Capitol.

One thing to remember, the number of Cold War Veterans is quickly shrinking as more of us
pass on to the Great Beyond every day.

Therefore it becomes even more important that Congress authorize and the Department of Defense
drop its objections and issue a Cold War Service Medal. The cost could become a non-factor, since
most veterans would be willing to purchase their own medal once it is approved; thus blunting
one of the DoD objections.

So once again I ask and urge everyone to contact both of their Senators asking them to cosponsor
S.402 The Cold War Service Medal Act of 2011. Also contact your Representative to cosponsor
H.R. 1968 The Cold War Service Medal Act of 2011. Ask them to push the Armed Services
Committees to bring both bills to the floor for a full vote.

To continue to ignore and forget Cold War Veterans, to make believe it never happened is
unbelievable and disrespectful to those who served with honor and distinction.  America it is
time for a simple Thank You.




---- Jerald Terwilliger Former Chairman American Cold War Veterans "We Remember" ---------------- "And so the greatest of American triumphs... became a peculiarly joyless victory. We had won the Cold War, but there would be no parades." -- Robert M. Gates, 1996

Monday, October 1, 2012

Veterans Memorial In Danger

Another Veterans Memorial is in danger and facing possible court action. Might it have to moved?

This time it is a tribute to WWI veterans who gave their lives for our country. The memorial is
facing the same old problems that have beset other memorials. Some people just do not like
it and are attempting to have it removed, citing separation of church and state.


In Blandensburg, Maryland the  forty foot tall Memorial Peace Cross is a well know landmark that has 
stood for over 85 years.

The monument honors 49 men from Prince George's County that lost their lives in WWI, the cross
was dedicated July 13, 1925 by Snyder-Farmer Post of the American Legion.

The Cross sits at the intersection of Baltimore Avenue and Annapolis Road, which places it on state
property. 

A group based in Washington,  The American Humanist Association, wants to have the memorial
removed. Claiming a religious image on public land violates the principle of separation of church
and state under the constitution. 

Veterans organizations and some civic groups are fighting to keep the Memorial standing where it
is. The local park and planning commission is researching the legal issues.

The Cross has a large gold star in the middle, around the base are the words Valor, Endurance, Courage,
Devotion. Also are inscribe the names of the 49 Heroes. A bronze tablet contains the famous quote
by Woodrow Wilson: "The right is more precious than peace. We shall fight for the things we always
carried nearest our hearts. To such a task we dedicate our lives."

Standing tall in memory, it is close to the WWI, WWII, Korean and Vietnam memorials and the heart
of our nation. 

So it continues, the attack on our veterans, our heroes and our memories. We can not just sit by
and watch as more freedoms are take away.

Wake up America before it is too late


---- Jerald Terwilliger Former Chairman American Cold War Veterans "We Remember" ---------------- "And so the greatest of American triumphs... became a peculiarly joyless victory. We had won the Cold War, but there would be no parades." -- Robert M. Gates, 1996

Friday, September 28, 2012

Veterans Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA) Blocked

Senator Patty Murray (D-Wash) said on Thursday that an unnamed Republican Senator last week
blocked a bill that would have provided an annual cost of living adjustment, which means that payments of the new COLA could be delayed.

Senator Murray brought the bill, H.R. 4114 (which passed the House in July) to the Senate floor
on Sept. 21. The bill was cleared by Senate Democrats but was blocked by this unnamed Republican
Senator. So the Senate went into recess without passing the bill.

Once again Congress has stepped on our nation's veterans and one more time shown how little
our Congress thinks of those who served our country.

The bill as passed by the House would have given a cost-of-living-adjustment to 3.9 million veterans
and their survivors a raise in their disability compensation and benefits which is supposed to offset
inflation. Similar bills are usually passed each year with no controversy.

So, now with Congress not scheduled to return to work until Nov. 13, in order for the increase to
show in Jan. 1 checks the bill will have to be passed almost immediately.

Thursday afternoon the Department of Veterans Affairs stated that Congress must pass the
COLA no later than Nov. 13 if the increase is to be included in the Jan 1 checks. If the bill is
passed any later than that the VA would not be able to make all the changes to programming
of their system. Which means the increase would have to be paid retroactively.

This follows the move last week that saw the Veterans Job Corps Act fail to pass. A bill that
would have provided $1 billion to help veterans find employment. Their is now a bill in
the House that would direct the VA to create a Veterans Job Corps.

And so it continues, the ongoing disregard and disrespect for the brave men and women who
have served in our Armed Forces. The Veterans who sacrificed so much for our nation are again
left to hang in the winds of ill will.

America, it is time to say enough! Time to give our veterans what they were promised and what
is fair and just. If your elected officials are not standing up and voting for veterans and our military,
vote them out of office.

---- Jerald Terwilliger Former Chairman American Cold War Veterans "We Remember" ---------------- "And so the greatest of American triumphs... became a peculiarly joyless victory. We had won the Cold War, but there would be no parades." -- Robert M. Gates, 1996

Thursday, September 20, 2012

September 21, 2012 POW/MIA DAY

The third Friday in September is National POW/MIA Recognition Day, this year it is September 21.
A day, and a matter that is close to the heart of every veteran of our Armed Forces.

We must hold true to the "No Man Left Behind" that makes this a burden on our country, a blot
on our history that must be cleansed. Bring Them Home.

As Americans we must demand that all countries provide a full and complete accounting of all
POW/MIA's and that all those still held, or any remains be repatriated as soon as possible.

We will never forget and must do all possible to honor those still missing. To provide closure to
the families of the missing and the return of their loved ones.

The American Legion has a policy starting with Resolution No. 288 adopted at the 67th National
Convention that calls for designating a POW/MIA Empty Chair at all official Legion meetings.

The American Cold War Veterans have asked Congress to expedite the return of all missing
personnel, military and civilian from all wars.

The numbers of missing according to the Defense Prisoner of War/Missing Personnel Office (DPMO)
are:
WWII 73.000
Korea 7,500
Cold War Era 126 (although other sites claim 172 and 343)
Vietnam 1,600
Iraq 6
Others listed
USS Stark 1
Grenada 4
Persian Gulf War 21
Somalia 2
The closest I could find for Afghanistan is 2 MIA as of 2011

I also could not find information on civilian or contract workers that are missing. They are no less
deserving of our honor and respect and the demand of their return.

Please contact your elected officials asking them to demand this full accounting of all POW/MIA


---- Jerald Terwilliger Former Chairman American Cold War Veterans "We Remember" ---------------- "And so the greatest of American triumphs... became a peculiarly joyless victory. We had won the Cold War, but there would be no parades." -- Robert M. Gates, 1996

Veterans Job Corps Act of 2012 Down In Flames

The Veterans Job Cops Act of 2012 which would have in the next five years spent $1 billion dollars
to create jobs for veterans working in police and fire departments as well as tending to federal lands
was defeated today.

Forty Republicans voted against the bill, reinforcing in many veterans minds the fact that Congress
just does not care about our nations veterans. This has been a hit and miss year, while many good
bills were passed, many others just as important,  did make the grade; going down in flames in
either the House or the Senate.

The Republicans opposed the bill that was introduced by Sen. Patty Murray, a long and hard fighting
friend of our military and veterans.

Could it be that John McCain, Lindsey Graham, Saxby Chamblis and the remainder of Senators who
have not always been friendly to veterans saw this as a chance to take another shot at President Obama?

Five Senators voted with the Democrats, Scott Brown (MA), Dean Heller (NV), Lisa Murkowski (AK)
and both Susan Collins and Olympia Snowe from Maine. All staunch supports of our military and veterans.

Senator Tom Coburn claimed that there is "no evidence that jobs for vets will work.

So the Republicans claiming the bill was too expensive decided to thank veterans by denying them
a chance for employment. And then it appears that the Senators declined to take any questions
concerning the bill at their weekly press conference.

If your Senator voted against this bill ask them WHY?  Go to one of their events, as many of them
are gong home soon in an attempt to gain voter support. Ask them why a veteran should support
them.

More important when it come time to vote, vote them out of office. If they don't like us, we sure
don't like them.

---- Jerald Terwilliger Former Chairman American Cold War Veterans "We Remember" ---------------- "And so the greatest of American triumphs... became a peculiarly joyless victory. We had won the Cold War, but there would be no parades." -- Robert M. Gates, 1996

Friday, August 10, 2012

VA Help for Gulf War Veterans


http://www.va.gov/opa/pressrel/pressrelease.cfm?id=2365
It has now been 22 years since the start of the 1990-1991 Gulf War which comprises the deployment and combat operations known as Desert Shield and Desert Storm. Almost 700,000 Servicemembers were deployed during this period. Those Veterans who have enrolled in the VA health care system have made over 2 million outpatient visits for health care and had over 20,000 inpatient admissions in the VA health care system.
“The Department of Veterans Affairs has not forgotten the service and dedication of Gulf War Veterans,” said Secretary of Veterans Affairs Eric K. Shinseki. “We continue to provide high-quality health care and benefits to them while we invest in research that helps us understand and treat Gulf War Veterans’ illnesses.” 
In support of care and services to the Veterans of the first Gulf War, VA has led efforts to better understand and characterize Gulf War Veterans’ illnesses and to improve treatment.   Research initiatives have included:
  • Funding an independent Institute of Medicine (IOM) review of scientific and medical research related to treatment of chronic multi-symptom illness among Gulf War Veterans.  The report is expected in 2013.
  • Funding and encouraging a wide spectrum of research focused on identifying new treatments to help Gulf War Veterans, including studies on pain, muscle and bone disorders, autoimmune disease, neurodegenerative disease, sleep disorders, gastrointestinal disorders, respiratory problems, and other chronic diseases.   Research is ongoing in other conditions, as well, that may affect Gulf War Veterans, such as brain cancer, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (Lou Gehrig’s disease, or ALS), and multiple sclerosis. 
  • Launching in May 2012, the third follow-up study of a national cohort of Gulf War and Gulf War Era Veterans (earlier studies were conducted in 1995 and 2005; the health surveys are done to understand possible health effects of service and guide health care delivery).
  • Continuing the clinical, research, and education activities of the War Related Illness and Injury Study Center program which focuses on post-deployment health.
VA is also improving care and services for Gulf War Veterans through initiatives outlined in the 2011 GWVI Task Force Report. These include the evaluation of a clinical care model specifically for Gulf War Veterans and of enhanced education for health care providers about Gulf War Veterans’ concerns.  Additionally, a VA Gulf War Research Strategic Plan has been developed to address effective treatment for the symptoms experienced by some Gulf War Veterans and to guide efforts toward improvements in diagnosis, the understanding of genetic and biologic factors related to Gulf War Veterans’ illnesses, and the application of research findings in Veterans’ health care.
VA provides care for Veterans of all eras as part of its mission.  VA operates the nation’s largest integrated health care system.  With a health care budget of more than $50 billion, VA expects to provide care to 6.1 million patients during 920,000 inpatient hospital admissions and nearly 80 million outpatient visits during 2012.  VA’s health care network includes 152 major medical centers and more than 800 community-based outpatient clinics.
For more information on Gulf War Veterans’ illnesses, see: http://www.publichealth.va.gov/exposures/gulfwar/.


---- Jerald Terwilliger Former Chairman American Cold War Veterans "We Remember" ---------------- "And so the greatest of American triumphs... became a peculiarly joyless victory. We had won the Cold War, but there would be no parades." -- Robert M. Gates, 1996

Sunday, August 5, 2012

Maine warns veterans of scam targeting them - Boston.com

Maine warns veterans of scam targeting them - Boston.com

All veterans should always be aware and on their toes. There are so many people trying so many ways
to reach into your pocket and bank account. Never give your account information to anyone, if some
body asks for that information always double check. Ask them for their phone number so you can call
them back

----Jerald TerwilligerFormer ChairmanAmerican Cold War Veterans"We Remember"----------------"And so the greatest of American triumphs... became a peculiarly joyless victory. We had won the Cold War, but there would be no parades."-- Robert M. Gates, 1996

Saturday, August 4, 2012

Morris, Minnesota to Honor Cold War Veterans

Attention Cold War Veterans, do you live in or around Morris, Minnesota? Plan to attend
this day of recognition.

Morris, Minnesota has planned a day to recognize and honor all Cold War Veterans, those who
served in the military after the Korean War and before the Vietnam War. But, as we all know both
wars were part and parcel of the Cold War (I do not feel those veterans should be excluded).

The day of recognition and gratitude will be held on Sept. 9, 2012 at the Old #1 South Side in
Morris, starting at 2:00 p.m., with a short program and veterans will be given a certificate. There
will be a lunch following the program.

The program is open to veterans of any time period, their families, and the general public. There
is no cost and pre-registration is not required.

More towns, cities and counties are recognize the Cold War, and finally paying the
respect and honor that is long overdue for these brave men and women. Those who have
been forgotten and ignored these many years. It is the "war no one remembers" or maybe
no one wants to remember.

Our national government does not recognize it, the Department of Defense says it was not
a war, even though many lives were lost. DOD continues to block efforts to have a Cold War
Service Medal issued.

There have been many bills issued in Congress over the last ten years, but none have come
to see the light of day. When a provision is written into either the House or Senate version
of the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), it gets stripped from the final version.
Other bills have been placed before the Armed Services Committees and do not reach
the floor for a final vote.

This year the NDAA FY2013 makes not mention of a Cold War Service Medal, but there are
two bills in committee S.402 and H.R. 1968, please use the POPVOX links on the right to tell your
elected officials to cosponsor these bills and ask that they be put to the floor for a full vote.

And you can also sign a petition that will be sent to Congress and President Obama by
following the link Petition to Create and Authorize a Cold War Service Medal

---- Jerald Terwilliger Former Chairman American Cold War Veterans "We Remember" ---------------- "And so the greatest of American triumphs... became a peculiarly joyless victory. We had won the Cold War, but there would be no parades." -- Robert M. Gates, 1996

Thursday, August 2, 2012

Congress Limits Protest At Military Funerals

As part of "The Honoring America's Veterans and Caring for Camp Lejeune Families Act of 2012"
which passed Congress and is now headed to President Obama's desk, is a section to limit protests
at Military Funerals.

Demonstrators will now no longer be allowed to picket two hours before or 2 hours following a
military funeral service. The bill also says that protesters must remain at least 300 feet away
from grieving family members.

Thanks to Maine Republican Senator Olympia Snowe who introduced this part of the legislation
at the urging of a teenage constituent, in response to a Supreme Court case in 2011 that said
the protests were protected by the First Amendment.

This will severely limit actions by the Westboro Baptist Church in their protests at military
funerals. The Church's disruptive and insensitive actions  often suggest that U.S. Armed Forces
have been killed as part of God's vengeance for tolerance of gay and lesbian in our country.

As a response to the court ruling and the continued presence of the protesters many have held
counter-protest demonstrations in an effort to block to protesters, often forming a human
barrier to keep the Westboro Baptist Church members at a distance from the military funeral.

Our Armed Forces have fought long and hard to allow the freedom to protest, the members of
this Church should be thankful and respectful enough to allow the freedom of a peaceful and
dignified final laying to rest of those who have given their all to our country.

Respect for the families grieving the loss of their loved ones should never be allowed to be minimized,
or interfered with in any manner by any person or group.

---- Jerald Terwilliger Former Chairman American Cold War Veterans "We Remember" ---------------- "And so the greatest of American triumphs... became a peculiarly joyless victory. We had won the Cold War, but there would be no parades." -- Robert M. Gates, 1996

Wednesday, July 25, 2012

Obama said no cuts to VA, Secretary Shinseki says there will be cuts



WASHINGTON, D.C—Today, at a joint hearing of the House Veterans' Affairs and Armed Services Committees, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, Eric Shinseki, confirmed that under sequestration, VA would face cuts, possibly affecting the administration of veterans' benefits and services, stating, "VA is exempt from sequestration except for administrative costs… I don't have a definition of administrative costs right now."

 

"President Obama publicly said Monday at the VFW Convention that VA is exempt from sequestration, yet the Secretary conceded today that VA would face cuts early next year if a sequester takes place," stated Rep. Jeff Miller, Chairman of the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs. "Since last August, I have been asking this question and until today, I have received nothing but double speak. I am now demanding that VA and the President define 'administrative costs.' Does this mean closing veterans' hospitals, fewer claims processors to help veterans with their disability compensation, longer wait times for veterans suffering from the invisible wounds of war or those having to bury a loved one, not to mention the possible impact on homeless veterans' programs and research to care for our wounded warriors? Congress, and more important, our veterans, deserve an honest, straight-forward answer."

 

In the first joint hearing of the two Committees in recent history, Members also addressed serious concerns that the Departments of Defense and Veterans Affairs were not working fast enough toward a seamless transition for servicemembers leaving the military. Secretary Shinseki noted that "over the next five years, there is the potential for one million serving men and women to either leave military service or demobilize from active duty," raising numerous questions on the already convoluted transition process for veterans.

 

Wait times for the Integrated Disability Evaluation System, which assists wounded warriors transition from DoD to VA, are already at record highs, the disability claims backlog has tripled in the past four years, and a majority of veterans seeking mental health evaluations wait an average of two months for an appointment.

"Despite repeated assurances from VA and DoD to provide a 'warm handoff,' it is clear that is not happening. Unfortunately, what we heard today, we have heard before. And what is clear is that there are still no tangible results demonstrating that the silos between the departments have been broken down," Miller said. "American know-how put a man on the moon in less than a decade, but 50 years later we can't produce single electronic medical database for our military and veterans in the same span of time? There is clearly something wrong with this system, and the time has come to see real change and real results."

For more news from the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs, please visit:

Find us on Facebook at: Facebook.com/HouseVetsAffairs or follow us on Twitter at:

---- Jerald Terwilliger Former Chairman American Cold War Veterans "We Remember" ---------------- "And so the greatest of American triumphs... became a peculiarly joyless victory. We had won the Cold War, but there would be no parades." -- Robert M. Gates, 1996

Monday, July 23, 2012

Court says VA must release documents about Cold War drug experiments

Veterans won another court order requiring the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs to hand over more documents about its Cold War-era drug experiments on thousands of Vietnam veterans. 
U.S. Magistrate Judge Jacqueline Scott Corley in Oakland, Calif., said the documents requested were "squarely relevant" to the claim that the government failed to adequately notify veterans of the chemicals they were exposed to and what that exposure might do to their health. 
The Army and the CIA, with the help of Nazi scientists, used at least 7,800 veterans as human guinea pigs for testing the effects of up to 400 types of drugs and chemicals, including mescaline, LSD, amphetamines, barbituates, mustard gas and nerve agents, the Vietnam Veterans of America and individual soldiers claim in a 2009 class action. 
The government covered up the true nature of its experiments, which began in the 1950s under code names such as "Bluebird," "Artichoke" and "MKUltra." 


For the full story follow this link
http://www.courthousenews.com/2012/07/23/48617.htm


---- Jerald Terwilliger Past Chairman American Cold War Veterans "We Remember" ---------------- "And so the greatest of American triumphs... became a peculiarly joyless victory. We had won the Cold War, but there would be no parades." -- Robert M. Gates, 1996

Thursday, July 19, 2012

U.S. Senate passes bill to provide health care for Camp Lejeune water exposure


The U.S. Senate has approved a bill that will require the Department of Veterans Affairs to provide health care to veterans and their family members who have certain diseases and conditions as a result of exposure to well-water contaminated by human carcinogens at Camp Lejeune.
The Caring for Camp Lejeune Veterans Act is included in the Honoring America's Veterans Bill.
North Carolina Republican U.S. Senator Richard Burr wrote the Caring for Camp Lejeune Families Act. He says, "This has been a long time coming, and unfortunately, many who were exposed to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune over the years have died as a result and are not with us to receive the care this bill will provide. "While I wish we could have accomplished this years ago, we now have the opportunity to do the right thing for the thousands of Navy and Marine veterans and their families who were harmed during their service to our country. I am encouraged that the House will pass this bill quickly and it will go to the President's desk for his signature."
North Carolina Democrat U.S. Senator Kay Hagan said, “This bill will ensure that those who were exposed to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune will receive the health care they need and deserve. I applaud the efforts of Chairman Murray and my colleague from North Carolina, Senator Burr, who has worked tirelessly on this issue. Since I joined the Senate, the issue of water contamination at Camp Lejeune has been close to my heart, and I have been working to help provide answers to veterans and their families who have lived or worked on the Marine Corps Base. The push for answers continues, but in the meantime, veterans and family members are suffering. Many need treatment today and cannot afford to wait while studies are completed. The Marines and their family members affected by this tragedy have sacrificed to keep this country safe. After decades of denial, this country owes it to them to ensure they are taken care of in their time of need.”
An estimated 750,000 people may have been exposed to probable and known human carcinogens in the base's water supply between the 1950s and 1980s. To date, this is the largest recorded environmental incident on a domestic Department of Defense installation. 

---- Jerald Terwilliger National Chairman American Cold War Veterans "We Remember" ---------------- "And so the greatest of American triumphs... became a peculiarly joyless victory. We had won the Cold War, but there would be no parades." -- Robert M. Gates, 1996

VA Pledges $100 Million To Help Homeless Veterans


WASHINGTON, Jul 17, 2012 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- Secretary of Veterans Affairs Eric K. Shinseki announced today the award of nearly $100 million in grants that will help approximately 42,000 homeless and at-risk Veterans and their families. The grants are going to 151 community agencies in 49 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico.
"We are committed to ending Veteran homelessness in America," said Shinseki. "These grants will help VA and community organizations reach out and prevent at-risk Veterans from losing their homes."
Under the Supportive Services for Veteran Families program, VA is awarding grants to private non-profit organizations and consumer cooperatives that provide services to very low-income Veteran families living in -- or transitioning to -- permanent housing. Those community organizations provide a range of services that promote housing stability among eligible very low income Veteran families.
Under the grants, homeless providers will offer Veterans and their family members outreach, case management, assistance in obtaining VA benefits and assistance in getting other public benefits. Community-based groups can offer temporary financial assistance on behalf of Veterans for rent payments, utility payments, security deposits and moving costs.
This is the program's second year. Last year, VA provided about $60 million to assist 22,000 Veterans and family members.
In 2009, President Obama and Secretary Shinseki announced the federal government's goal to end Veteran homelessness by 2015. The grants are intended to help accomplish that goal. According to the 2011 Annual Homelessness Assessment Report to Congress, homelessness among Veterans has declined 12 percent since January 2010.
Through the homeless Veterans initiative, VA committed $800 million in FY 2011 to strengthen programs that prevent and end homelessness among Veterans. VA provides a range of services to homeless Veterans, including health care, housing, job training, and education.
More information about VA's homeless programs is available on the Internet at www.va.gov/homeless . Details about the Supportive Services for Veteran Families program are online at www.va.gov/homeless/ssvf.asp .
SOURCE: U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
        
        U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs 
        Office of Public Affairs 
        Media Relations 
        202-461-7600
        

---- Jerald Terwilliger Past Chairman American Cold War Veterans "We Remember" ---------------- "And so the greatest of American triumphs... became a peculiarly joyless victory. We had won the Cold War, but there would be no parades." -- Robert M. Gates, 1996

Monday, July 16, 2012

Korean War and the U.S. Navy

When we remember the Korean War we usually think only of troops on the ground, or aircraft being
involved.

We do not think about the role the U.S. Navy played and the loss of life and ships and equipment being
damaged by the North Koreans and the aid given to them by the Communists.

So to honor our Navy and the brave sailors who took part, here is a list of ships that were sunk or
damaged. It is quite interesting and rather lengthy.

Remember also that the Korean War was a part of the Cold War. (The often repeated fallacy
-No shots were fired.


Sunk in action ( 5 ships):

USS Magpie (AMS-25) blew up after striking a mine, 21 missingin action and 12 survivors, 29 September 1950.
USS Pirate(AM-275) sunk after striking a mine at Wonsan, North Korea, 12October 1950
USS Pledge (AM-277) sunk after striking a mine at Wonsan,North Korea, 12 October 1950.

USS Partridge (AMS-31) sunk after striking a mine, 8 killed,6 seriously wounded, 2 February 1951.
USS Sarsi (ATF-111) sunk after striking a mine at Hungnam,North Korea, 2 killed, 27 August 1952.
Damaged in action ( 87 incidents):
USS Collett (DD-730) damaged by 7 hits with 5 wounded, 13 September 1950
USS Gurke (DD-783) minor damage from 3 hits, no casualties, 13 September 1950
USS Lyman K. Swenson (DD-729) 2 near misses caused 1 killed and 1 wounded, 13 September 1950.
USS Brush (DD-745) damaged after striking a mine at Tanchon,North Korea, 9 killed and 10 wounded, 26 September 1950.
USS Mansfield (DD-728) damaged after striking a mine, 5missing and 48 wounded, 30 September 1950.
USS Charles S. Perry (DD-697) damaged by 3 hits from ashore battery at Songjin, North Korea, 23 December 1950.
USS Ozbourn (DD-846) damaged after being hit by a shorebattery at Wonsan, North Korea, 2 casualties, 23 December 1950.
USS Walke (DD-723) extensively damaged after striking amine off the east coast of Korea, 61 casualties, 12 June 1951.
USS Thompson (DMS-38) extensively damaged after being hitby a shore battery at Songjin, North Korea, 3 killed and 4 wounded,14 June 1951.
USS Hoquiam (PF-5) slightly damaged after being hit bya shore battery at Songjin, North Korea, 1 casualty, 7 May 1951.
USS New Jersey (BB-62) slightly damaged after being hitby a shore battery at Wonsan, North Korea, 4 casualties, 20 May1951.
USS Brinkley Bass (DD-887) minor damage after being hitby a shore battery at Wonsan, North Korea, 8 casualties, 22 May1951.
USS Frank E. Evans (DD-754) slightly damaged after beinghit by a shore battery at Wonsan, North Korea, 4 casualties, 18June 1951.
USS Henry W. Tucker (DDR-875) superficial damage afterbeing hit by a shore battery at Wonsan, North Korea, 28 June 1951.
USS Everett (PF-8) minor damage after being hit by a shorebattery at Wonsan, North Korea, 8 casualties, 3 July 1951 
.USS Helena (CA-75) minordamage after being hit by a shore battery at Wonsan, North Korea,2 casualties, 31 July 1951 .
USS Dextrous (AM-341) superficial damage after being hitby a shore battery at Wonsan, North Korea, 1 killed and 3 wounded,11 August 1951.
USS William Seiverling (DE-441) fireroom flooded afterbeing hit by a shore battery at Wonsan, North Korea, no casualties,8 September 1951.
USS Heron (AMS-18) superficial damage after being hit bya shore battery at Wonsan, North Korea, no casualties, 10 September1951.
USS Redstart (AM-378) minor damage after being hit by ashore battery at Wonsan, North Korea, no casualties, 10 September1951.
USS Firecrest (AMS-10) slight damage after being hit bya shore battery at Hungnam, North Korea, no casualties, 5 October1951.
USS Ernest G. Small (DDR-838) extensive damage after strikinga mine off the East coast of North Korea, 27 casualties, 7 October1951.
USS Renshaw (DDE-499) slight damage after being hit bya shore battery at Songjin, North Korea, 1 casualty, 11 October1951.
USS Ulvert M. Moore (DE-442) moderate damage after being hit by a shore battery at Hungnam, North Korea, 3 casualties, 17 October 1951.
USS Helena (CA-75) - slight damage after being hit by ashore battery at Hungnam, North Korea, 4 casualties, 23 October1951.
USS Osprey (AMS-28) considerable damage after being hitby a shore battery at Wonsan, North Korea, 1 casualty, 29 October1951.
USS Gloucester (PF-22) light damage after being hit bya shore battery at Hongwon, North Korea, 12 casualties, 11 November1951.
USS Hyman (DD-732) minor damage after being hit by a shorebattery at Wonsan, North Korea, no casualties, 23 November 1951.
USS Crook County (LST-611) superficial damage after beinghit by a shore battery, no casualties, 22 December 1951.
USS Dextrous (AM-341) minor damage after being hit by ashore battery at Wonsan, North Korea, 3 casualties, 11 January1952.
USS Porterfield (DD-682) minor damage after being hit bya shore battery at Sokto, North Korea, no casualties, 3 February1952.
USS Endicott (DMS-35) minor damage after 2 hits from ashore battery at Songjin, North Korea, no casualties, 4 February1952.
USS Rowan (DD-782) minor damage after 1 hit from a shorebattery at Hungnam, North Korea, no casualties, 22 February 1952.
USS Shelton (DD-790) moderate damage after 3 hits froma shore battery at Songjin, North Korea, 15 casualties, 22 February1952.
USS Henderson (DD-785) minor damage after being hit bya shore battery at Hungnam, North Korea, no casualties, 23 February1952.
USS Wisconsin (BB-64) insignificant damage after 1 hitfrom a shore battery at Songjin, North Korea, 3 casualties, 16March 1952.
USS Brinkley Bass (DD-887) moderate damage after 1 hitfrom a shore battery at Wonsan, North Korea, 5 casualties, 24March 1952.
USS Endicott (DMS-35) insignificant damage after beinghit by a shore battery at Chongjin, North Korea, no casualties,7 April 1952.
USS Endicott (DMS-35) minor damage after 1 hit from a shorebattery at Songjin, North Korea, no casualties, 19 April 1952.
USS Osprey (AMS-28) minor damage after 1 hit from a shorebattery at Songjin, North Korea, no casualties, 24 April 1952.
USS Cabildo (LSD-16) minor damage after 1 hit from a shorebattery at Wonsan, North Korea, 2 casualties, 26 April 1952.
USS Laffey (DD-724) superficial damage after being hitby a shore battery at Wonsan, North Korea, no casualties, 30 April1952.
USS Maddox (DD-731) superficial damage after being hitby a shore battery at Wonsan, North Korea, no casualties, 30 April1952.
USS Leonard F. Mason (DD-852) superficial damage afterbeing hit by a shore battery at Wonsan, North Korea, no casualties,2 May 1952.
USS James C. Owens (DD-776) considerable damage after 6hits from a shore battery at Songjin, North Korea, 10 casualties,7 May 1952.
USS Herbert J. Thomas (DDR-833) superficial damage after1 hit from a shore battery at Wonsan, North Korea, no casualties,12 May 1952.
USS Douglas H. Fox (DD-779) minor damage after 1 hit froma shore battery at Hungnam, North Korea, 2 casualties, 14 May1952.
USS Cabildo (LSD-16) superficial damage after being hitby a shore battery at Wonsan, North Korea, 2 casualties, 25 May1952.
USS Swallow (AMS-26) slight damage after 3 hits from ashore battery at Songjin, North Korea, no casualties, 25 May 1952.
USS Murrelet (AM-372) slight damage after being hit bya shore battery at Songjin, North Korea, no casualties, 26 May1952.
USS Firecrest (AMS-10) minor damage after hits from machinegun mounts. No casualties, 30 May 1952.
USS Buck (DD-761) motor launch damaged after being hitby a shore battery at Kojo, North Korea, 2 casualties, 13 June1952.
USS Orleck (DD-886) minor damage 1 hit after receiving 50 rounds of 75 mm, 4 casualties, 13 June 1952.
USS Southerland (DDR-743) minor damage after 4 hits from shore batteries, 8 casualties, 14 July 1952
USS John R. Pierce (DD-753) moderate damage after 7 hitsfrom a shore battery at Tanchon, North Korea, 10 casualties, 6August 1952.
USS Barton (DD-722) minor damage after 1 hit from a shorebattery at Wonsan, North Korea, 2 casualties, 10 August 1952.
USS Grapple (ARS-7) minor damage after 1 hit below thewaterline from a shore battery at Wonsan, North Korea, no casualties,12 August 1952.
USS Thompson (DMS-38) minor damage in the vicinity of thebridge after an air burst and near misses from a shore batteryat Songjin, North Korea, 13 casualties, 20 August 1952.
USS Competent (AM-316) superficial damage and lost sweepgear after a shrapnel near miss from a shore battery at Pkg. 4-5,no casualties, 27 August 1952.
USS McDermut (DD-677) superficial damage after receiving60 rounds at 3,700 yards while at Pkg 4-5, no casualties, 27 August1952.
USS Agerholm (DD-826) superficial damage after being hitby a shore battery at the Kangsong, North Korea area bombline,1 casualty, 1 September 1952.
USS Frank E. Evans (DD-754) slight damage from near misses,after receiving 69 rounds, from a shore battery at Tanchon, NorthKorea, no casualties, 8 September 1952.
USS Barton (DD-722) major damage after striking a mine90 miles east of Wonsan, North Korea, 11 casualties, 16 September1952.
USS Alfred A. Cunningham (DD-752) moderate damage from5 hits and 7 air bursts. Received 150 rounds of 105 mm from 3guns. First round was a direct hit at a initial range of 3,500yards. 8 casualties, 19 September 1952
USS Perkins (DDR-877) superficial damage after being straddledby 5 rounds, from a shore battery at range of 5,000 yards, atKojo, North Korea. The ship was sprayed with shrapnel from 2 nearmisses, 18 casualties, 13 October 1952.
USS Osprey (AMS-28) minor damage after being hit by a shorebattery at Kojo, North Korea, 4 casualties, 14 October 1952.
USS Lewis (DE-535) moderate damage from 2 hits after receiving50 rounds from 4-6 guns at Wonsan, North Korea, 8 casualties,21 October 1952.
USS Mansfield (DD-728) minor shrapnel damage after receiving40 rounds from 4 guns. The suspected radar controlled guns straddledthe ship at a range of 4,300-8,000 yards. No casualties, 28 October1952.
USS Uhlmann (DD-687) minor damage from 3 hits after receiving160 rounds from a shore battery, 13 casualties, 3 November 1952.
USS Kite (AMS-22) 1 small boat destroyed by a shore batteryat Wonsan, North Korea, 5 casualties, 19 November 1952.
USS Thompson (DMS-38) minor damage from 1 hit after receiving89 rounds from a shore battery at Wonsan, North Korea, 1 casualty,20 November 1952.
USS Hanna (DE-449) moderate damage from 1 hit after receiving60 rounds from a shore battery at Songjin, North Korea, 1 casualty,24 November 1952.
USS Halsey Powell (DD-686) whaleboat damaged after beinghit by a shore battery at Hwa-do, North Korea, 2 casualties, 6February 1953.
USS Gull (AMS-16) minor damage from 1 hit after receiving60 rounds at a range of 5,400-10,000 yards while at Pkg 2, 2 casualties,16 March 1953.
USS Taussig (DD-746) slight damage from 1 hit after receiving45 rounds at a range of 6,400-10,000 yards, 1 casualty, 17 March1953.
USS Los Angeles (CA-135) slight damage from 1 hit afterreceiving 40 rounds of 105 mm at Wonsan, North Korea, no casualties,27 March 1953.
USS Los Angeles (CA-135) minor damage after 1 hit froma shore battery at Wonsan, North Korea, 13 casualties, 2 April1953.
USS Maddox (DD-731) slight damage from 1-76 mm hit afterreceiving 209 rounds of heavy fire from a shore battery at Wonsan,North Korea, 3 casualties, 16 April 1953.
USS James E. Kyes (DD-787) slight damage from 1 hit afterreceiving 60 rounds of 155 mm at a range of 8,000-12,000 yardsfrom a shore battery near Wonsan, North Korea, 9 casualties, 19April 1953.
USS Maddox (DD-731) moderate damage from 1 hit from a shorebattery at Hodo Pando, North Korea. The ship received 186 roundsof 105 mm and several near misses from 4 guns. No casualties,2 May 1953.
USS Owen (DD-536) minor damage from 1 hit from a shorebattery at Hodo Pando, North Korea. The ship received 100 roundsof 105 mm with 1 near miss and several straddles from 4 guns.No casualties, 2 May 1953.
USS Bremerton (CA-130) superficial damage after 1 nearmiss from a shore battery at Wonsan, North Korea. The ship received18 rounds of 76 mm - 135 mm, 2 casualties, 5 May 1953.
USS Samuel N. Moore (DD-747) superficial damage from 1hit from a shore battery at Wonsan, North Korea. The ship received60 rounds of 90 mm, no casualties, 8 May 1953.
USS Brush (DD-745) minor damage after 1 hit from a shorebattery at Wonsan, North Korea. The ship received 20 rounds of76 mm, 9 casualties, 15 May 1953.
USS Swift (AM-122) superficial damage from 1 hit from ashore battery at Yang-do, North Korea. The ship received 30 roundsof 76 mm, 1 casualty, 29 May 1953.
USS Clarion River (LSMR-409) minor damage after 2 hitsfrom a shore battery at Walsa-ri, North Korea. The ship received30 rounds of 76 mm, 5 casualties, 4 June 1953.
USS Wiltsie (DD-716) superficial damage after 1 hit froma shore battery at Wonsan, North Korea. The ship received 35 roundsof 76 mm with several air bursts, no casualties, 11 June 1953.
USS Henderson (DD-785) superficial damage after being hitby a shore battery at Wonsan, North Korea, 17 June 1953.
USS Irwin (DD-794) minor damage from 1 hit after receiving90 rounds near Wonsan, North Korea, 5 casualties, 18 June 1953.
USS Rowan (DD-782) moderate damage from 5 hits after receiving45 rounds of 76-155 mm, at 7,500 yards, near Wonsan, North Korea,9 casualties, 18 June 1953.
USS Gurke (DD-783) slight damage from 2 hits and shrapnelfrom 5 near misses after receiving 150 rounds of 76-90 mm, at6,000 to 11,000 yards, near Songjin, North Korea, 3 casualties,25 June 1953.
USS Manchester (CL-83) superficial damage after near missesduring a 30 minute gun duel with a shore battery at Wonsan, NorthKorea, no casualties, 30 June 1953.
USS John W. Thomason (DD-760) minor shrapnel damage afternear misses from 150 rounds of 107 mm from a shore battery atHodo Pando, North Korea, 7 July 1953.
USS Irwin (DD-794) minor damage after 80 rounds of 76 mmair bursts close aboard from a shore battery at Pkg 2, 5 casualties,8 July 1953.
USS Saint Paul (CA-73) severe underwater damage after one76-90 mm hit from a shore battery at Wonsan, North Korea, no casualties,11 July 1953.

Sources consulted:

Cagle, Malcom W. and Frank A. Manson. The Sea War in Korea.Annapolis, MD: United States Naval Institute, 1957.

Silverstone, Paul H. US Warships since 1945. Annapolis,MD: Naval Institute Press, 1987.



---- Jerald Terwilliger Past Chairman American Cold War Veterans "We Remember" ---------------- "And so the greatest of American triumphs... became a peculiarly joyless victory. We had won the Cold War, but there would be no parades." -- Robert M. Gates, 1996

Sunday, July 8, 2012

Authorize and create a Cold War Service Medal


I have created another petition to authorize a Cold War Service Medal. Please use the link below to sign
this petition to recognize and honor our veterans


Cold War Veterans like myself have been denied recognition, respect, and remembrance for too long.
It is past time for our country to say Thank You with a simple
Cold War Service Medal. We should no longer be ignored.

That's why I created a petition to The United States House of Representatives, The United States Senate, and President Barack Obama, which says:

"Millions of veterans served during the Cold War and never received recognition or any type of award.
Tell Congress to pass S.402, and H.R. 1968 The Cold War Service Medal Act of 2011.
Tell President Obama to remember his pledge to honor Cold War Veterans, use an Executive Order to create this medal."

Will you sign this petition? Click here:


Thanks!

---- Jerald Terwilliger National Chairman American Cold War Veterans "We Remember" ---------------- "And so the greatest of American triumphs... became a peculiarly joyless victory. We had won the Cold War, but there would be no parades." -- Robert M. Gates, 1996

Saturday, June 30, 2012

Supreme Court Says NO to Stolen Valor Law

On Thursday the Supreme Court ruled that the Stolen Valor Act of 2006 was an infringement of the
First Amendment protecting free speech.  By a vote of 6-3 the justices decided that it is okay to lie
about military service and honors and awards.

Justice Anthony Kennedy wrote for the majority "fundamental constitutional principles require that
laws enacted to honor the brave must be consistent with the precepts of the Constitution for which
they fought" and that "statutes suppressing or restricting speech must be judged by the sometimes
inconvenient  principles of the First Amendment."


While the government has an interest in protecting the integrity of the Medal of Honor and other valorous decorations, the Stolen Valor Act was too "sweeping" and "quite unprecedented" in attempting to prosecute people for merely lying, he wrote.
Justices Ruth Bader Ginsburg and Sonia Sotomayor, and Chief Justice John Roberts Jr. joined Kennedy in the opinion.
"The statute seeks to control and suppress all false statements on this one subject in almost limitless times and settings," Kennedy's opinion states. "And it does so entirely without regard to whether the lie was made for the purpose of material gain."
Justices Stephen Breyer and Elena Kagan ruled the law unconstitutional but left open the possibility they would reconsider if the law was rewritten.
The law was written by U.S. Rep. John Salazar, D-Colorado, and signed in 2006 by President George W. Bush, making it a federal misdemeanor to falsely represent oneself, in writing or speaking, as having received a military decoration
The opposing opinion written by Justice Samuel Alito, joined by Justices Antonin Scalia and Clarence Thomas said "the right to free speech does not protect false factual statements that inflict real harm and serve no legitimate interest."

They went on to say that the "proliferation of false claims about military awards blur the signal given out
by the actual awards by making them seem more common  than they really are."

A new Stolen Valor Act H.R. 1775 written by Congressman Joseph Heck with 52 cosponsors is in the
House Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, and Homeland Security. And in the Senate is a bill
S.1728 with 2 cosponsors and is in the Committee on Judiciary.

So now it is imperative that we contact our Senators and Representatives and urge them to become
cosponsors to these bills, and that they push to have the bills passed out of committee to the floor
for a full vote.



Read more here: http://www.star-telegram.com/2012/06/28/4067435/supreme-court-strikes-down-stolen.html#storylink=cpy

---- Jerald Terwilliger National Chairman American Cold War Veterans "We Remember" ---------------- "And so the greatest of American triumphs... became a peculiarly joyless victory. We had won the Cold War, but there would be no parades." -- Robert M. Gates, 1996

Tuesday, June 19, 2012

Purple Heart Homes to help veterans in North Carolina


STATESVILLE, N.C., Jun 18, 2012 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- Purple Heart Homes will participate in the Second Annual Veterans on Wall Street Conference and Job Fair Thursday, June 21 at Cipriani Atrium, 55 Wall Street to discuss housing solutions with interested Service Connected Disabled Veterans ( www.purplehearthomesusa.org )
"Many veterans with a Service Connected Disabilities might find a job that requires relocation or they may need help with adaptations to their existing home" said Dale Beatty, Co-founder of Purple Heart Homes. "We offer three housing programs for Veterans with a 10 percent to one hundred percent VA disability rating," Beatty added.
Purple Heart Homes, a non-profit organization based in Statesville, NC has three programs for Service Connected Disabled Veterans:
-- Veterans New Home Program - provides pre-engineered homes and financing on land the veteran already owns or the organization works with the veteran to find a site where the veteran wants to live.
-- Veterans Home Owners Program - created for returning Iraq and Afghanistan Service Connected Disabled Veterans is a hand up not a hand out. Purple Heart Homes receives gifted foreclosed homes that are adapted for each veteran's disability. The veteran pays a mortgage at 50% of the current home market value.
-- Veterans Aging in Place Program created to help older veterans who own their own home by making bathrooms accessible, hallways and doorways wider and putting in ramps where steps have become obstacles.
Interested veterans should apply online at www.purplehearthomesusa.org to fill out a brief application. They must provide proof of service with their DD214 and their VA disability rating.
"We don't leave our injured veterans behind on the battlefield. We should not leave them behind at home," said John Gallina Co-founder of Purple Heart Homes.
Dale Beatty and John Gallina enlisted in the North Carolina National Guard when they were 17 years old. During their service to our nation, both Beatty and Gallina responded to calls from the Governor to help victims of Hurricane Fran and Hurricane Floyd. The experience provided both of them with a sense of mission and real commitment to community. They responded again to the call of duty from former President Bush to defend our country against terrorism during Operation Iraqi Freedom. They were both 25 years old at the time.
On November 15, 2004 the vehicle they were riding in hit an anti tank mine that exploded leaving Beatty a double amputee below the knees and Gallina with severe back injuries, TBI and PTSD.
Today the two combat wounded veterans remain on a mission to provide housing solutions for service connected disabled veterans through Purple Heart Homes the non-profit they co-founded in 2008.
To learn more go to www.purplehearthomesusa.org or call 855-PURPLE 9
To apply for housing solution click on 'application for assistance.'
SOURCE: Purple Heart Homes

---- Jerald Terwilliger National Chairman American Cold War Veterans "We Remember" ---------------- "And so the greatest of American triumphs... became a peculiarly joyless victory. We had won the Cold War, but there would be no parades." -- Robert M. Gates, 1996

Monday, June 18, 2012

Asbestos Exposure among U.S. Veterans and the Health Effects


When veterans return home from active service back to the country they served so diligently, they seldom think that the dangers they encountered while on active duty will still put them at risk. A very real danger that many veterans are unaware of is asbestos exposure.

Asbestos can withstand heat, chemical corrosion and is a poor conductor of electricity. For this reason, it was used in military insulation, fire proofing and in vehicle and weapon parts. However, when asbestos is damaged or disturbed, inhaled or ingested fibers can cause severe illnesses including deadly cancers.

This toxic material was found in abundance on Army proving grounds, Navy battleships and in military bases all over the world. Veterans of several wars including the Vietnam War, Korean War and especially World War II were all exposed to asbestos regularly. During the Cold War, rearmament asbestos use reached 1,800 million pounds annually and its use did not decrease until after the 1970s, endangering Cold War veterans.

Navy veterans and shipyard workers were at the highest risk for asbestos exposure. In World War II alone, 5,000 merchant vessels were produced in American shipyards and in 1943 the U.S. Navy launched 30,000 warships. Boilers and water pipes aboard these ships were insulated with asbestos. The paint on these vessels also used asbestos. Many of these ships remained in use well beyond the 1970s.

Health Effects of Asbestos Exposure
After asbestos fibers are inhaled or ingested, they can cause asbestosis, lung cancer and mesothelioma. The most deadly of these is mesothelioma cancer.

Mesothelioma tumors grow in the linings of internal organs. Most mesothelioma sufferers have pleural mesothelioma, and it affects the lining of the lungs. The symptoms of this disease include chest pain, difficulty breathing, persistent dry cough, excessive fluid in the lungs and unexplained weight loss.
The symptoms of this disease often take 10 to 50 years from the date of initial exposure to surface, and by the time it is diagnosed the tumor is usually in later stages. Usually, the earlier mesothelioma is diagnosed, the better the treatment options and prognosis. Veterans can contact their local VA center for asbestos disease health screenings.

Bio: Michelle Y. Llamas researches and writes about asbestos and its related diseases for the Mesothelioma Center.
Sources:

Hedley – Whyte, J. & Milamed, D. R. (2008) Asbestos and ship-building: Fatal consequences. Retrieved from http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2604477/


---- Jerald Terwilliger National Chairman American Cold War Veterans "We Remember" ---------------- "And so the greatest of American triumphs... became a peculiarly joyless victory. We had won the Cold War, but there would be no parades." -- Robert M. Gates, 1996

Thursday, June 14, 2012

National Defense Authorization Act-NDAA and Mystery of The Cold War Medal

The question must be asked! Why has a Cold War Service Medal been authorized and issued?

In 1999 Congress expressed appreciation to Cold War Veterans and decided that a certificate
was in order to honor those who served between Sept. 1945 and Dec. 1991, the era known as
"The Cold War."

This certificate makes no mention of military service and is available to anyone who worked for
the U.S. government during this long struggle to contain Communism. Most veterans did not feel
that this was a just recognition of their service. In fact as of late 2010 only about 2.5 million
certificates were issued. That is out of approximately 25 million veterans, and untold millions of
government employees.

Yet the Department of Defense, and some members of Congress continue to flaunt this in our face
as a thing to be proud of; something all Cold Warriors should want.

The NDAA for 2002 contained a provision for the Cold War Victory Medal, both the Senate
and House approved the bill, and it was signed into law. DoD declared they would not issue
a Cold War Medal.

Then in the NDAA for 2006, 2011 and 2012 provisions were once again written; either by the
House or the Senate in their separate versions of that years NDAA. Sadly these provisions were
removed during the Senate/House conference meetings. When members were asked for reasons
the medal was taken out, no concrete answer was given. Nobody would admit where the blame
lay, and/or why that action was taken.

Over the years there have been a minimum of 20 bills introduced in the Senate and House
(including some that were amendments to the NDAA) that would have authorized a Cold War
Victory/Service Medal. None of them were passed, many had been sent to the Armed Services
Committees of the House and Senate; where these bills sat and gathered dust and allowed to
die. These bills never saw a vote, were not passed out of committee.

Now this year neither the House nor the Senate version of the NDAA contain a mention of a
Cold War Medal.

Our questions are why? How long will these brave men and women be denied? Do people no
longer remember the Cold War and why it was waged? Is there some deep dark secret that
prevents authorizing this medal? Will Cold War Veterans always be shunted aside and swept
into the dust bin?

America stand up now for these forgotten heroes! Do not let them vanish into the dark, dismal
pages of history. And yes, the revisionists continue to attempt to re-write history as if there
never was a Cold War.

Tell your Senators and Representatives to finally recognize and honor those who defended
your freedom. Authorize a Cold War Service Medal. Use the POPVOX links on the
right to contact your elected officials now.

---- Jerald Terwilliger National Chairman American Cold War Veterans "We Remember" ---------------- "And so the greatest of American triumphs... became a peculiarly joyless victory. We had won the Cold War, but there would be no parades." -- Robert M. Gates, 1996