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."

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---- 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