It appears that President Obama has chosen CIA Director Leon Panetta as the new Secretary of Defense,
according to a release just issued by Reuters.
If congress confirms Panetta, he will take office on July 1st, as Robert Gates steps down on June 30th.
Panetta who will be 73 in June has been CIA Director since 2009. He is well respected and liked
in Washington. Some feel he will tackle the budget problems quickly and make rather large changes.
I do not know how much experience Mr. Penetta has in the field of defense, and military operations.
How he will treat the military and our nation's veterans is a very large question.
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
Wednesday, April 27, 2011
Wednesday, April 20, 2011
Another Extension for Stop-Loss Payment
The Department of Defense has announced another extension on the deadline to apply for
Retroactive Stop-Loss Special Pay(RSLSP).
The new deadline is Oct. 21, 2011. This will allow more time for service members, veterans and
their beneficiaries to apply for the benefits that were earned.
All those who had the service involuntarily extended under Stop Loss authority between September
11, 2001 and September 30, 2009 are eligible for payment of $500.00 for each month their service
was extended.
Approximately 145,000 service members are estimated to have been effected by Stop Loss. Most
of those have left the military and the services have made attempts to notify everyone through
extensive and consistent outreach programs for the last 18 months. By using social media, direct
mail, media outlets and contacting military and veteran service organizations these efforts will
continue through Oct. 21, 2011.
If you are a member or beneficiary of a member who's service was extended I urge you to apply
as soon as possible. This money was earned and it is yours.
To apply or to find more information on RSLSP including submission requirements and service
specific links please go the the DoD website at
http://www.defense.gov/home/features/2010/0710_stoploss/
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
Retroactive Stop-Loss Special Pay(RSLSP).
The new deadline is Oct. 21, 2011. This will allow more time for service members, veterans and
their beneficiaries to apply for the benefits that were earned.
All those who had the service involuntarily extended under Stop Loss authority between September
11, 2001 and September 30, 2009 are eligible for payment of $500.00 for each month their service
was extended.
Approximately 145,000 service members are estimated to have been effected by Stop Loss. Most
of those have left the military and the services have made attempts to notify everyone through
extensive and consistent outreach programs for the last 18 months. By using social media, direct
mail, media outlets and contacting military and veteran service organizations these efforts will
continue through Oct. 21, 2011.
If you are a member or beneficiary of a member who's service was extended I urge you to apply
as soon as possible. This money was earned and it is yours.
To apply or to find more information on RSLSP including submission requirements and service
specific links please go the the DoD website at
http://www.defense.gov/home/features/2010/0710_stoploss/
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
Wednesday, April 13, 2011
Gagarin A Hero?
April 12, 1961 the Soviet Union put the first man in space, Yuri Gagarin was blasted into space
and spent 108 minutes orbiting the earth.
It was a telling blow to America's space program. Our country was hard at work trying to beat
the Soviets.
This also fed the Russian military programs, it helped build their ICBM, which were then equiped
with nuclear warheads. Thus increasing the threat of a possible first strike against the United States.
So why did so many Americans celebrate the occasion of the 50th anniversary of Gagarin's
space flight? Celebrity status should not have been given to Yuri, a hero in the old Soviet Union
yes, but to the U.S. I think not.
The celebrations across our country are like a slap in the face of all Cold War Veterans. The fact
that for even a short time the Soviets had an advantage is not a circumstance to be honored.
The men and women who served during that era do not see him in the same light as those who
attended the parties and hailed him as if he were a knight in shining armor.
Russia has long held him as a hero and they should be proud of him and his accomplishment.
He did a great and very scary mission.
But, we can not forget that what happened certainly heated up the Cold War, and probably
managed to prolong the struggle even more. As the rockets grew bigger and could carry more
nuclear warheads, the U.S. had to build more and even more powerful weapons.
---------------- "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
and spent 108 minutes orbiting the earth.
It was a telling blow to America's space program. Our country was hard at work trying to beat
the Soviets.
This also fed the Russian military programs, it helped build their ICBM, which were then equiped
with nuclear warheads. Thus increasing the threat of a possible first strike against the United States.
So why did so many Americans celebrate the occasion of the 50th anniversary of Gagarin's
space flight? Celebrity status should not have been given to Yuri, a hero in the old Soviet Union
yes, but to the U.S. I think not.
The celebrations across our country are like a slap in the face of all Cold War Veterans. The fact
that for even a short time the Soviets had an advantage is not a circumstance to be honored.
The men and women who served during that era do not see him in the same light as those who
attended the parties and hailed him as if he were a knight in shining armor.
Russia has long held him as a hero and they should be proud of him and his accomplishment.
He did a great and very scary mission.
But, we can not forget that what happened certainly heated up the Cold War, and probably
managed to prolong the struggle even more. As the rockets grew bigger and could carry more
nuclear warheads, the U.S. had to build more and even more powerful weapons.
---------------- "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, April 12, 2011
Wilmington, NC VA clinic back on track
In November, 2009 the VA announced that a new "Super Clinic" was to be built in Wilmington, NC.
The plan was to have the clinic completed by this year, but hit a snag last year when the developer could not obtain the land needed for the clinic.
A new contractor for the $66 million project has been secured and the plan now is to have the
clinic operating by 2013.
The new clinic will provide specialty services such as audiology, neurology, podiatry and
optometry as well as primary care and mental health care.
North Carolina is home to nearly 800,000 veterans, and the new clinic will serve up to 7 counties
in Wilmington area of Southeastern North Carolina.
Senators Richard Burr (R-NC), Kay Hagan (D-NC) and Congressman Mike McIntyre (D-NC)
have all praised the plans and have indicated they plan to make sure the program stays on
schedule.
Again the VA is to be praised for increasing the availability of care for our veterans. These men
and women sacrificed a great deal to protect our country, now our country must care for them.
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
The plan was to have the clinic completed by this year, but hit a snag last year when the developer could not obtain the land needed for the clinic.
A new contractor for the $66 million project has been secured and the plan now is to have the
clinic operating by 2013.
The new clinic will provide specialty services such as audiology, neurology, podiatry and
optometry as well as primary care and mental health care.
North Carolina is home to nearly 800,000 veterans, and the new clinic will serve up to 7 counties
in Wilmington area of Southeastern North Carolina.
Senators Richard Burr (R-NC), Kay Hagan (D-NC) and Congressman Mike McIntyre (D-NC)
have all praised the plans and have indicated they plan to make sure the program stays on
schedule.
Again the VA is to be praised for increasing the availability of care for our veterans. These men
and women sacrificed a great deal to protect our country, now our country must care for them.
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
Changes Underway At The Pentagon
This year will produce change in the Pentagon as the top military leaders reach the end of
their terms.
First was the Army Chief of Staff Gen. George W. Casey Jr., who was succeeded by Gen. Martin E.
Dempsey during a Change of Command Ceremony at Ft. Myer, Virginia on Monday.
Chairman of the Join Chiefs of Staff Adm. Mike Mullen, and Chief of Naval Operations, Adm.
Gary Roughead will also be reaching the end of their terms this year. Their replacements have
not yet been announced.
Secretary of Defense Robert Gates has said repeatedly that he would step down sometime this
year. Who will replace Secretary Gates? Several names have been mentioned, but no one has
yet to rise to the top of the list.
Our military and our veterans will watch with great interest to see what course the new leadership
will take. How will the changes develop the shape of our nation's armed forces? Will our forces
grow smaller, stay on the present levels, or perhaps even grow larger as the world events continue
to evolve?
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
their terms.
First was the Army Chief of Staff Gen. George W. Casey Jr., who was succeeded by Gen. Martin E.
Dempsey during a Change of Command Ceremony at Ft. Myer, Virginia on Monday.
Chairman of the Join Chiefs of Staff Adm. Mike Mullen, and Chief of Naval Operations, Adm.
Gary Roughead will also be reaching the end of their terms this year. Their replacements have
not yet been announced.
Secretary of Defense Robert Gates has said repeatedly that he would step down sometime this
year. Who will replace Secretary Gates? Several names have been mentioned, but no one has
yet to rise to the top of the list.
Our military and our veterans will watch with great interest to see what course the new leadership
will take. How will the changes develop the shape of our nation's armed forces? Will our forces
grow smaller, stay on the present levels, or perhaps even grow larger as the world events continue
to evolve?
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, April 11, 2011
New VA Clinic To Be Built In Auburn Maine
Seven years in the planning, ground was broken for a new Veterans Administration outpatient
clinic in Auburn, Maine. Serving the Lewiston/Auburn area, it is the last major population center
to have such a clinic.
It will be a "Super Clinic" which will provide primary care, specialty services and metal health care
to approximately 6,000 veterans in central Maine each year. This will make health care more
accessible to veterans in Maine.
It is expected to take about one year to construct the clinic.
A similar clinic will open in the next week or two in Bangor, ME.
We applaud the VA for the continued building of clinics and hospitals to better serve our
nation's veterans. We do, however, think even more clinics are needed; and the time to process
claims still needs to be improved. There is still a huge backlog of claims, and the long waiting
period causes undue hardships on veterans and their families.
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
clinic in Auburn, Maine. Serving the Lewiston/Auburn area, it is the last major population center
to have such a clinic.
It will be a "Super Clinic" which will provide primary care, specialty services and metal health care
to approximately 6,000 veterans in central Maine each year. This will make health care more
accessible to veterans in Maine.
It is expected to take about one year to construct the clinic.
A similar clinic will open in the next week or two in Bangor, ME.
We applaud the VA for the continued building of clinics and hospitals to better serve our
nation's veterans. We do, however, think even more clinics are needed; and the time to process
claims still needs to be improved. There is still a huge backlog of claims, and the long waiting
period causes undue hardships on veterans and their families.
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, April 9, 2011
Nuclear Winter-What Could Have Happend
The year 2011 marks a very special occasion in the history of the world. It is the 20th
anniversary of the end of the Cold War. Americans under the age of 20 were not yet born.
So they probably have no idea what the Cold War was about, what could have been the end
of the world.
So perhaps a little history of the struggle between the U.S. and the Soviet Union and the
possibility of a nuclear attack and the consequences of such a horrendous occurrence.
During the Cold War the one thing that we all feared, and thought about constantly was the
first and retaliatory exchange of nuclear missiles.
This would have brought about the much talked about mutual annihilation and "Nuclear Winter." In fact
it was so enmeshed in the public's mind that the BBC produced a television program about an attack
on the city of Sheffield and what happened to the area surrounding the city following the nuclear
explosion and nuclear winter took the place of a normal life.
In 1985 it was estimated that the total explosive power of nuclear weapons was between 12,000 and
20,000 megatons. Although both the U.S. and the Soviet Union kept secret the total of weapons
and their power, many different studies and guesswork reached those figures.
In order to provide an idea of how much power that would be a one megaton bomb would be equal
to 18 times the explosive power of the bomb that was dropped on Hiroshima. That means that the
higher figure of 20,000 megatons would have equaled 1,600,000 of that single atomic blast.
Many scientists believed that just a fraction of the existing nuclear weapons being exploded would
throw enough smoke and debris into the air to block out the sunlight. The figures used said that
at ten miles above the surface 74 percent of the sun's light would be blocked.
In 1983 a conference organized by American scientists on nuclear war. It estimated that such a war
would involve the use of 5,000 megatons of nuclear weapons. It also estimated that the smoke
alone from these bombs would be 225 million tons.
The ensuing darkness could last for weeks or even months before the smoke and debris began to clear.
The lack of sunlight would mean that temperatures in the inland regions would drop to -15 to -25
degrees Celsius. Nothing could grow, animals and humans would die from the cold and radiation
poisoning.
As the winds aloft spread the radiation and smoke and dust the rest of the world would be affected.
As the sun was blocked "nuclear winter" would spread around the globe quickly.
When the dust finally settled and sunlight could again reach the surface, there would be another
danger, the ozone layer would be so weakened that much higher ultra-violet radiation would cause
extreme damage to any humans who would have survived.
The final conclusion was "In the aftermath of a 5,000 megaton exchange, survivors would face
extreme cold, water shortages, lack of food and fuel, heavy burdens of radiation and pollutants,
diseases and sever psychological stress-all in twilight or darkness. It is clear that the ecosystems'
effects alone resulting from a large -scale thermo-nuclear war would be devastating enough to
destroy civilization as we know it in at least the Norther Hemisphere. These long-term effects,
when combined with direct causalities from the blast suggest that eventually there might be no
human survivors in the Northern Hemisphere. Human beings and other animals and plants in
the Southern Hemisphere would also suffer profound consequences."
And that my friends is why we fought so hard to contain the Soviet Union, and why we stood
ready at all times to attempt to block and stop any attack on the U.S.
Our military was stationed around the world with missiles and bombs ready, from silos in the
heartland of the U.S. to ship, submarines and planes ever on guard.
Think back, remember those backyard bomb/fallout shelters, the air raid drills and the fears we
all felt. It was real, it could have happened at any time.
Now please contact your both of your Senators ask them to become cosponsors to a bill S.402
The Cold War Service Medal Act of 2011. Contact your Congressman/woman ask them to
introduce a bill in the House of Representatives with the same wording.
Contact all members of both the Senate and the House Armed Services Committees, ask them
to ensure that a provision be written into the NDAA 2012, using the same wording as SEC. 566
of the Senate version of the NDAA 2011.
And remember to thank a vet when you see one, and thank all those presently serving in our military
because of them our country is still free.
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
anniversary of the end of the Cold War. Americans under the age of 20 were not yet born.
So they probably have no idea what the Cold War was about, what could have been the end
of the world.
So perhaps a little history of the struggle between the U.S. and the Soviet Union and the
possibility of a nuclear attack and the consequences of such a horrendous occurrence.
During the Cold War the one thing that we all feared, and thought about constantly was the
first and retaliatory exchange of nuclear missiles.
This would have brought about the much talked about mutual annihilation and "Nuclear Winter." In fact
it was so enmeshed in the public's mind that the BBC produced a television program about an attack
on the city of Sheffield and what happened to the area surrounding the city following the nuclear
explosion and nuclear winter took the place of a normal life.
In 1985 it was estimated that the total explosive power of nuclear weapons was between 12,000 and
20,000 megatons. Although both the U.S. and the Soviet Union kept secret the total of weapons
and their power, many different studies and guesswork reached those figures.
In order to provide an idea of how much power that would be a one megaton bomb would be equal
to 18 times the explosive power of the bomb that was dropped on Hiroshima. That means that the
higher figure of 20,000 megatons would have equaled 1,600,000 of that single atomic blast.
Many scientists believed that just a fraction of the existing nuclear weapons being exploded would
throw enough smoke and debris into the air to block out the sunlight. The figures used said that
at ten miles above the surface 74 percent of the sun's light would be blocked.
In 1983 a conference organized by American scientists on nuclear war. It estimated that such a war
would involve the use of 5,000 megatons of nuclear weapons. It also estimated that the smoke
alone from these bombs would be 225 million tons.
The ensuing darkness could last for weeks or even months before the smoke and debris began to clear.
The lack of sunlight would mean that temperatures in the inland regions would drop to -15 to -25
degrees Celsius. Nothing could grow, animals and humans would die from the cold and radiation
poisoning.
As the winds aloft spread the radiation and smoke and dust the rest of the world would be affected.
As the sun was blocked "nuclear winter" would spread around the globe quickly.
When the dust finally settled and sunlight could again reach the surface, there would be another
danger, the ozone layer would be so weakened that much higher ultra-violet radiation would cause
extreme damage to any humans who would have survived.
The final conclusion was "In the aftermath of a 5,000 megaton exchange, survivors would face
extreme cold, water shortages, lack of food and fuel, heavy burdens of radiation and pollutants,
diseases and sever psychological stress-all in twilight or darkness. It is clear that the ecosystems'
effects alone resulting from a large -scale thermo-nuclear war would be devastating enough to
destroy civilization as we know it in at least the Norther Hemisphere. These long-term effects,
when combined with direct causalities from the blast suggest that eventually there might be no
human survivors in the Northern Hemisphere. Human beings and other animals and plants in
the Southern Hemisphere would also suffer profound consequences."
And that my friends is why we fought so hard to contain the Soviet Union, and why we stood
ready at all times to attempt to block and stop any attack on the U.S.
Our military was stationed around the world with missiles and bombs ready, from silos in the
heartland of the U.S. to ship, submarines and planes ever on guard.
Think back, remember those backyard bomb/fallout shelters, the air raid drills and the fears we
all felt. It was real, it could have happened at any time.
Now please contact your both of your Senators ask them to become cosponsors to a bill S.402
The Cold War Service Medal Act of 2011. Contact your Congressman/woman ask them to
introduce a bill in the House of Representatives with the same wording.
Contact all members of both the Senate and the House Armed Services Committees, ask them
to ensure that a provision be written into the NDAA 2012, using the same wording as SEC. 566
of the Senate version of the NDAA 2011.
And remember to thank a vet when you see one, and thank all those presently serving in our military
because of them our country is still free.
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
Wednesday, April 6, 2011
American Cold War Veterans Annual Meeting May 1, 2011
The American Cold War Veterans will hold our annual meeting on May 1, 2011
Our annual meeting will be at the Best Western-Pentagon in Arlington, VA.
The meeting will be in the Halsey Room of the Best Western-Pentagon from Noon to 2PM.
We will then proceed to Arlington National Cemetery for a Memorial Service at 3PM.
Following the ceremony we will disperse in small groups to place flowers on
the graves of Cold War Heroes.
Hotel Information:
The Best Western Pentagon Located at 2480 Glebe Road Arlington, VA 22206
Phone 703-979-4400 Toll Free 866-702-4947 Fax 703-682-2361 email ejenkins@yourdchotels.com
Be sure to mention that you are with the American Cold War Veterans to receive the group rate.
Cut off date for reservations is April 11 after that date reservations and rates are subject to availability.
We have a block of twelve rooms reserved for the period of April 29 to May 2. Rooms are with two queen beds. Check in time is 3PM, check out is noon.
Room rate is $87.00 plus tax 10.25% and occupancy tax of 5.25%
Includes free parking, fitness center, business center, wireless internet, deluxe Continental Breakfast hotel
shuttle available from 6AM to 10PM to Pentagon City Metro Station/Fashion Center Mall and Reagan Airport.
Upon arrival at airport call the hotel to arrange for shuttle pickup.
Monday we plan to storm the Hill. Please attempt to arrange meetings with your Senators and Congressmen/women.
We will also do "drop in" on other members as time permits..we want to talk to as many people
as possible. We will be asking Senators to become cosponsors to S.204 The Cold War Service
Medal Act of 2011.
Asking Congressmen/Congresswomen to introduce legislation with the same wording as S.204.
Also we will ask to ensure that a provision for a Cold War Service Medal be written into the
National Defense Authorization Act of 2012.
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
Our annual meeting will be at the Best Western-Pentagon in Arlington, VA.
The meeting will be in the Halsey Room of the Best Western-Pentagon from Noon to 2PM.
We will then proceed to Arlington National Cemetery for a Memorial Service at 3PM.
Following the ceremony we will disperse in small groups to place flowers on
the graves of Cold War Heroes.
Hotel Information:
The Best Western Pentagon Located at 2480 Glebe Road Arlington, VA 22206
Phone 703-979-4400 Toll Free 866-702-4947 Fax 703-682-2361 email ejenkins@yourdchotels.com
Be sure to mention that you are with the American Cold War Veterans to receive the group rate.
Cut off date for reservations is April 11 after that date reservations and rates are subject to availability.
We have a block of twelve rooms reserved for the period of April 29 to May 2. Rooms are with two queen beds. Check in time is 3PM, check out is noon.
Room rate is $87.00 plus tax 10.25% and occupancy tax of 5.25%
Includes free parking, fitness center, business center, wireless internet, deluxe Continental Breakfast hotel
shuttle available from 6AM to 10PM to Pentagon City Metro Station/Fashion Center Mall and Reagan Airport.
Upon arrival at airport call the hotel to arrange for shuttle pickup.
Monday we plan to storm the Hill. Please attempt to arrange meetings with your Senators and Congressmen/women.
We will also do "drop in" on other members as time permits..we want to talk to as many people
as possible. We will be asking Senators to become cosponsors to S.204 The Cold War Service
Medal Act of 2011.
Asking Congressmen/Congresswomen to introduce legislation with the same wording as S.204.
Also we will ask to ensure that a provision for a Cold War Service Medal be written into the
National Defense Authorization Act of 2012.
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
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