Friday, July 22, 2011

Ask Your Elected Officials To Consponsor Cold War Medal

There are two widgets on the right side that will allow you to contact your Senators and/or Representative
asking them to support S.402 The Cold War Service Medal Act 2011, and H.R. 1968 The Cold
War Service Medal Act 2011.

Using POPVOX your remarks will be sent directly to your elected officials. It is quick easy and free,
you do not even have to leave the page you are on.

Please ask them now! Remind them this year 2011 is the 20th anniversary of the end of the Cold War.
We are losing veterans everyday, don't wait till there are no more Cold War Veterans.

Please also ask that all possible efforts to insure that SEC. 581 of the Senate NDAA 2012 remain
intact during the Senate/House conference meetings.

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, July 14, 2011

Maine Veterans Drives License/ID Card

Effective July 18, 2011 the State of Maine will begin issuing Drives License and Non Drivers ID Card
especially for active military and veterans. This makes Maine one of the few states to offer this, once
again showing that Maine is in the forefront, other states are considering a veterans/military ID.


The new license will have a field of stars in the background to designate a veteran or active duty
personnel 

This will help veterans to receive special discounts and honors.  Many stores and restaurants of 10 percent or more discount to military/veterans.

You will no longer have to carry a copy of your DD-214 to prove you are a veteran.

To apply you will need to go to the nearest BMV office and provide a copy of your DD-214 or other
proof of service, such as orders or travel papers for active duty personnel.

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, July 12, 2011

President Says Possibly No VA Checks

President Obama today warned that Social Security, Disability and Veterans Pension checks might
not be sent out on August 3rd.

Democrats and Republicans are still haggling on the issue of raising the national debt ceiling, and if
no agreement is reached soon there is a very large chance that the checks will not be mailed, or
sent via direct deposit.

The President said "I cannot guarantee that those checks will go out on August 3rd if we haven't
resolved this issue. Because there may simply not be the money in the coffers to do it."

The President went on to say "This is not just a matter of Social Security checks. these are
veteran's checks, these are folks on disability and their checks. There are about 70 million
checks that go out."

The administration and many economists have warned of economic disaster if an agreement to
raise the U.S. borrowing limit is not reached by August 2nd.

Tell your Senator and Representative that an agreement must be reached now, we cannot allow
the country to default on its loans.

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 Health Care For Women Veterans

On July 7 the Department of Veterans Affairs announced that is has started a massive program
to reach out to Women Veterans.

The VA wants input from Women Veterans on how to improve healthcare services that are provided
to Women Veterans

Members of the VA's Health Resource Center (HRC) will be calling Women Veterans nationwide, asking
for their experiences with the VA; and asking for suggestions that will enhance and further the VA's
mission to provide the best care anywhere.

The VA notes that Women Veterans are the largest and growing the fastest portions of the veteran
population. There are approximately 22.7 million living veterans and women comprise more than
1.8 million of that total. They account for almost 8 percent of the total veteran population, and
6 percent of the total of all veterans currently using VA healthcare treatments.

It is estimated that by 2020 women veterans will make up 10 percent of the veteran population and
9.5 percent of those who use the VA facilities.

The HRC started making calls on June 1 to women who have enrolled, but are not yet using VA
services. The HRC also is informing Women Veterans of services the VA offers, and if the veteran
is interested in using VA health services connects the veteran with the proper department. If a veteran
has any complaints about VA healthcare they are connected with a patient advocate to help solve
the problem.

The VA includes specialists in all aspects of women's health, including general primary care,
heart disease, mental health care, menopausal services, and osteoporosis problems. The VA also
has excellent screenings for breast and cervical cancer.

Recently the Women Veterans Health Care program instituted changes to upgrade and improve
what care is offered to women. Instituting new programs to improve access and enrich services
for Women Veterans. Also instituting comprehensive primary care for Women Veterans, new
research on the effect of military service has on women's lives.

In addition new programs to improve communication and outreach to Women Veterans and providing
mental health, homelessness information and new programs to meet the needs of Women Veterans.

For more information on Women Veterans health care please go to the VA website
Veterans Affairs, Womens Health Care

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, July 5, 2011

4th of July

I hope that everyone had a safe and happy 4th of July. Enjoyed the cookouts and did not get too much
sun.

I hope that all veterans wore their medals. I hope that everyone said thank you to any member of
the military that you saw. Watched the parades and saluted the Stars and Stripes as the flag passed
in front of you.

The fireworks were awesome as they lit up the sky across the country.

I must admit I was a little disappointed as I watched the Boston Pops celebration, which I watch
every year it is really thrilling and rousing. What disappointed me was that so many people
had to read the words to many of patriotic songs. Songs like God Bless America, My Country
Tis of Thee, I'm A Yankee Doodle Dandy...etc.

Do the schools no longer teach music? Is the American public so uneducated that such simple songs are unknown?

Of course not everyone can remember all the words to some of these songs, but it seemed that a lot of people did not know any of the words.

And we wonder why the general public is so misinformed about the Cold War. Bomb shelters and
air raid drills, the threat of nuclear annihilation are forgotten. The world no longer remembers or
cares.

We were just a part of history that is being re-written. Now it seems that the government is even
trying to erase any mention of Cold War Veterans. It has been decided that after Vietnam, all
veterans are now considered "Pre-Gulf War Veterans".

No more Cold War it has vanished, how long will it take before all of the history books(those that
even mention the Cold War) are added to the trash bin along with all of our country's Cold War
Veterans.

We have been ignored, dishonored, disregarded and frowned upon for so long that now some of
us begin to believe it when told we are "not veterans"

All we want as "Cold Warriors" is a little respect, a little honor and a little medal.

The thought of a Cold War Medal seems to cause DOD a great deal of discomfort. Congress has tried many times in one or both houses to do justice to our veterans. It has yet to happen. 

Again this year we have some members of Congress standing tall and attempting to "get 'er done"

Please ask your Senators to become cosponsors of S. 402 The Cold War Service Medal Act 2011.
Ask your Representative to become a cosponsor of H.R. 1968 The Cold War Service Medal Act
2011. Ask them to vote for passage when the bills reach the Senate and House floors.

And ask all members of both the Senate and the House Armed Services Committees to
ensure that SEC. 581 of the Senate NDAA 2012 remain intact, and not be removed during the
Senate/House conference meetings.

Remember that this year 2011 marks the 20th anniversary of the Cold War. We have waited
in vain for too long, let this be the year to remember these brave men and women.

Will the new Secretary of Defense finally agree to authorize this medal?

---------------- "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