Military Veterans Serving In Congress Decline Again

Perhaps the biggest reason that Congress is ignoring or downplaying our military and our
veterans is the fact that each year fewer and fewer Members are veterans or still serving
in the military

The 113th Congress now is session has only 108 members or 20 percent that are veterans or
still serving in our military. That figure is 10 less than the 112th Congress.

These numbers break down to 88 veterans in the House-this includes 2 female Members and also
2 delegates. The Senate has 18 veterans of Military Service.

According to lists from GQ Roll Coll, these Members have served during WWII, Korean War, Vietnam War, Persian Gulf War, Iraq, Afghanistan, Kosovo as well as during times of peace
(read Cold War). Many have served in the Reserves and National Guard.

Eight House Members and one Senator are still serving in the Reserves, and six House Members
are still serving in the National Guard. Of special interest, Both female veterans are Combat
Veterans.

The diminishing numbers of veterans follow the steady decline of the number of Members who
have served in the military. In 1981-1982 the 97th Congress 64 percent were veterans, and in
1971-1972 the 92nd Congress 73 percent were veterans.

So, as the number of veterans in Congress declines, so to does the number who would look
favorably on current military and our veterans.

It also means that fewer understand the Cold War and it's meaning. The Cold War gets pushed
further into the corner of darkness, neglect, and indifference.

And, the chances for a Cold War Service Medal seem to shrink exponentially, it seems that
no one wants to remember the Cold War. No on except those veterans who placed their lives on
the line and faced danger every day in places far from home in harsh and trying times. Never
sure if "this is a drill" or if "the ballon went up."

The number of Cold War Veterans is also rapidly declining, as age creeps up on us and silently
steals away one more life, leaving one less voice to be heard that wants to tell our story.

Before the last Cold War Veteran passes away America it is time to say Thank You to these
brave men and women.

Urge Congress that this year our nation will remember and recognize these veterans. Ask your
elected officials to introduce legislation that will authorize and DIRECT DoD to issue
a Cold War Service Medal.

Yes, bills have been introduced in the past, but they either are removed during the House/Senate
Committee meetings, or even worse: lie on the desk in their respective Armed Services Committee
and never get to see the light of day; are never brought forth for a vote.

---- Jerald Terwilliger 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

WebRep

currentVote

noRating

noWeight