Russia is on a huge shipbuilding splurge and acting quickly in doing so.
The Russian fleet is more than 300 ships at the present time. You can see a list of the Russian Navy
on the website http://rusnavy.com/nowadays/strength/ yes some of the ships are rather old, but they
have been updated and modernized.
Now the part that should be of interest to every American, and should open some eyes in Congress and
at the Department of Defense:
Russia will add Fifty (50) warships by 2016 which will include 18 surface warships of various ranks
and designation. Also 30 special-purpose and counter-subversion vessels. It also has plans put into operation 6 multi-purpose and strategic submarines.
The statement from the Defense Ministry said "The implementation of the ship building program envisages serial construction along with the introduction of new technical and modernization solutions into each subsequently built warship."
It was also announced that the Russian Navy will receive eighty (80) support vessels which will include tugboats, patrol boats, diving boats, modular search and rescue platforms and floating cranes.
Last year Russia announced plans to build over 100 auxiliary ships by 2020, these ships will use
full integration of logistics, technical, and maintenance capabilities. Each ship will be able to perform a wide variety of missions including firefighting and resupply of fuel food, fresh water and munitions.
The U.S. Navy plans-made in early 2012-call for 41 ships in the FY2013-FY2017. That is 16 fewer than planned last year. with an average of 8.2 ships per year. This was with a goal of 310-316 warships.
Of course, with the budget constraints and possible cuts in defense spending; and as our ships
age and are retired we could see a fleet of 290 ships in the near future.
Our nation can not allow our military to fall behind this far this quickly. The Army, Marines, Navy, Air Force and Coast Guard are already facing cuts in personnel; some of the cuts will be quite drastic.
Can we dare to become a second class military? Should we allow other countries to grow stronger and risk the possibility of not being able to defend ourselves?
Yes other countries are facing the same problems with finances being cut and defense spending also slowed or drastically reduced.
But we must always remain strong and ready to face any challenge no matter where or when it originates. America can not and must not take the chance.
----
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
Tuesday, January 8, 2013
Saturday, January 5, 2013
Massachusetts Vietnam Veterans Can Still Apply For Bonus
The state of Massachusetts says that there are possibly 60,000 Vietnam Veterans that have not
claimed a bonus from the state.
A state bonus of $300.00 is available to those veterans who served in country in Vietnam. For those
veterans who served at least 60 day active duty during the Vietnam Era between July 1, 1958 and
May 17, 1975 outside of Vietnam are eligible for a $200.00 bonus.
The so called "welcome home" bonus is available to veterans or their surviving families, and state
officials are urging those who might be eligible to apply as soon as possible.
You must have been a resident of Massachusetts for at least 6 months prior to entering the Armed Forces.
There were also bonus programs for Korean War: June 25, 1950-Jan. 31, 1955. 90 days stateside service $100.00, 6+ months stateside service $200.00, 1+days foreign service $300.00. WWII
1 day to 6 months active service $100.00, 6+ months active service $200.00, Foreign Service
and Merchant Marines $300.00.
Iraq/Afghanistan First time applicants at least 6 months of active service either stateside or
overseas and/or 1 or more days in Iraq or Afghanistan or or after Sept. 1, 2001
First time applicants Iraq or Afghanistan $1000.00, 6+ month stateside or overseas $500.00
(may be eligible for both first time bonuses)
Subsequent applications: under chapter 132 acts of 2009: 6 months domicile in Massachusetts
immediately prior to most recent tour/deployment-at least 6 months active service overseas
on or after Sept. 11, 2001 and/or 1 day in Iraq or Afghanistan: Iraq or Afghanistan $500.00
6+ months overseas $250.00 (may be eligible for each subsequent deployment.
Further information and application forms can be found on the state's website
at Massachusetts Veterans Bonus
To check eligibility from any war or conflict period you can call 1-617-367-9333 ext. 859
I did not see any information for the 1st Gulf War, or the Cold War, perhaps more information
will be available by making the phone call.
Any Massachusetts veteran or their surviving family, if you have not yet filed for this
state Welcome Home Bonus, are urged to do file as soon as possible.
---- 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
claimed a bonus from the state.
A state bonus of $300.00 is available to those veterans who served in country in Vietnam. For those
veterans who served at least 60 day active duty during the Vietnam Era between July 1, 1958 and
May 17, 1975 outside of Vietnam are eligible for a $200.00 bonus.
The so called "welcome home" bonus is available to veterans or their surviving families, and state
officials are urging those who might be eligible to apply as soon as possible.
You must have been a resident of Massachusetts for at least 6 months prior to entering the Armed Forces.
There were also bonus programs for Korean War: June 25, 1950-Jan. 31, 1955. 90 days stateside service $100.00, 6+ months stateside service $200.00, 1+days foreign service $300.00. WWII
1 day to 6 months active service $100.00, 6+ months active service $200.00, Foreign Service
and Merchant Marines $300.00.
Iraq/Afghanistan First time applicants at least 6 months of active service either stateside or
overseas and/or 1 or more days in Iraq or Afghanistan or or after Sept. 1, 2001
First time applicants Iraq or Afghanistan $1000.00, 6+ month stateside or overseas $500.00
(may be eligible for both first time bonuses)
Subsequent applications: under chapter 132 acts of 2009: 6 months domicile in Massachusetts
immediately prior to most recent tour/deployment-at least 6 months active service overseas
on or after Sept. 11, 2001 and/or 1 day in Iraq or Afghanistan: Iraq or Afghanistan $500.00
6+ months overseas $250.00 (may be eligible for each subsequent deployment.
Further information and application forms can be found on the state's website
at Massachusetts Veterans Bonus
To check eligibility from any war or conflict period you can call 1-617-367-9333 ext. 859
I did not see any information for the 1st Gulf War, or the Cold War, perhaps more information
will be available by making the phone call.
Any Massachusetts veteran or their surviving family, if you have not yet filed for this
state Welcome Home Bonus, are urged to do file as soon as possible.
---- 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, January 3, 2013
Petition for Cold War Service Medal To Honor Veterans
Congress has once again ignored Cold War Veterans and left us tarnished and banished to the dustbin of history.
By allowing two bills, S.402 and H.R. 1968, that would have authorized a Cold War Service Medal to
languish in the respective Armed Services Committees; Congress shows how little the Cold War and its veterans mean to America.
Cold War Veterans have waged this battle for more than 11 years, and still have not managed to
garner enough support to convince Congress and the Department of Defense to authorize and issue
a Cold War Service Medal.
Our original quest was for a Cold War Victory Medal, but that met with some strong, and unnamed,
opposition; so we changed our direction a bit and opted for a Cold War Service Medal. It did not seem
to matter at all to those in power.
We get cosponsors on the bills as they are introduced each year. The bills are read and sent to the Armed Services Committee, never again to see the light of day; not being voted out of committee for a full floor vote.
We have approached this from many different directions but always fall short at the end of the year.
There is now a petition on the White House website asking for the Cold War Service Medal to
be authorized and issued. This would require an Executive Order and there is precedent as previous
Presidents have used an EO to create medals.
Please go to the White House website Petition to Authorize Cold War Service Medal you will have to create a White House account if you do not already have one. It is quick easy and free, and you
should not receive spam messages.
Please sign it, have all your friends and relatives sign it, and ask them to have all their friends sign the
petition, keep spreading the word across our great nation. We need 25,000 signatures by Jan. 16.
This is an opportunity for you to participate in our government and say Thank You to our veterans.
---- 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
By allowing two bills, S.402 and H.R. 1968, that would have authorized a Cold War Service Medal to
languish in the respective Armed Services Committees; Congress shows how little the Cold War and its veterans mean to America.
Cold War Veterans have waged this battle for more than 11 years, and still have not managed to
garner enough support to convince Congress and the Department of Defense to authorize and issue
a Cold War Service Medal.
Our original quest was for a Cold War Victory Medal, but that met with some strong, and unnamed,
opposition; so we changed our direction a bit and opted for a Cold War Service Medal. It did not seem
to matter at all to those in power.
We get cosponsors on the bills as they are introduced each year. The bills are read and sent to the Armed Services Committee, never again to see the light of day; not being voted out of committee for a full floor vote.
We have approached this from many different directions but always fall short at the end of the year.
There is now a petition on the White House website asking for the Cold War Service Medal to
be authorized and issued. This would require an Executive Order and there is precedent as previous
Presidents have used an EO to create medals.
Please go to the White House website Petition to Authorize Cold War Service Medal you will have to create a White House account if you do not already have one. It is quick easy and free, and you
should not receive spam messages.
Please sign it, have all your friends and relatives sign it, and ask them to have all their friends sign the
petition, keep spreading the word across our great nation. We need 25,000 signatures by Jan. 16.
This is an opportunity for you to participate in our government and say Thank You to our veterans.
---- 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
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