Now That Congress Is in Recess

The month of August is here, that means that Congress is in recess for the month; and everyone is back in their home state.

Now is the time to call the local office, closest to you, of your elected official. Ask for a meeting with said official. A chance to look them in the eye and present your case. Get your facts together first, then

put it on the table. 

Be polite, courteous and smile. Then discuss Veterans issues...VA problems, maybe your experience with VA; other general concerns about our Armed Forces and Veterans, our US Military and the budget crisis.

Then....ask your Representative to cosponsor H.R. 2067 The Cold War Service Medal Act of 2015 and be sure to vote for passage when it reaches the floor for a vote.

Ask BOTH of your Senators to introduce an identical bill in the Senate. We need it on both sides to gain any traction. It is too late to have it included in the NDAA, so stand alone bills from the House and the Senate have to happen.

If anyone seems a little wishy-washy about it ASK THEM WHY NOT. 

Also ask for an investigation into the USS LIberty and the coverup. There has never been an official Congressional investigation into the murder of 34 Americans and wounding of another 174. 

An attack by the IDF (Israel Defense Force) on a clearly marked American

ship; practically unarmed,  with the purpose of killing all onboard and sinking the ship.

We as Cold War Veterans have been waiting since 1991 for recognition, it is time. The USS Liberty 

Veterans have been waiting since 1967 to get the truth, to finally know the why and the who.

DoD did have a very quick and brief investigation and called it a case of "mistaken identity."

The huge America Flag flying from the mast, and the big hull numbers on the side meant 

nothing to those who attacked the Liberty.

Write the letters, send the faxes, send the emails, make the phone calls, make the visits;  do it often.

Remember that you can visit or call the local office anytime. You can call the DC office and

ask to speak to their Veterans/Military aide and tell them what you want them to know.

---- Jerald Terwilliger Chairman Emeritus 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

Lebanon, PA to honor Cold War Veterans

For those of you who live in and around Lebanon, PA be proud. Once again small town America
steps up to notice Cold War Veterans more information here:
Lebanon, PA

Thank You Lebanon Valley and city of Lebanon, PA

---- 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

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

A Reminder, Please Sign the Petition for Cold War Service Medal

I started a petition on the White House petition site We The People. Please sign it here Cold War Medal Petition
 
We need to have 5000 signatures by Oct 22. Please share this with everyone you know and ask them to
sign this petition. Remember to have your spouse/partner and children sign it.

You will have to start an account and log in but it is  quick and easy. Please help us in our quest. We have waited too long.

2011 is the 20th anniversary of the end of the Cold War. Let this be the year to remember, recognize and
honor our veterans.

I am sure someone will mention the Cold War Certificate. You must know that the certificate makes no mention of military service, anyone who worked for the government in any manner is eligible. In the 13 years the certificate has been in existence only about 3.5 million have applied for it.
And, you can not pin a certificate to your chest.

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

Please Continue To Contact Your Elected Officials

Thank You to Congressman Todd Platts (R-PA-19) for becoming the latest to cosponsor H.R. 1968 the Cold War Service Medal Act 2011.

If you use the POPVOX links on the right side your comments will go directly to the desk of your
officials. It is helping, the more Senators and Representatives are contacted the better the chance
they will become cosponsors; and hopefully vote for passage of the bill.

It is very easy to use, just fill in the blanks, start with your zip code to ensure it will be delivered to
the proper person and when finished click submit. That simple to get your message to those in
office.

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

Cold War Service Medal and DOD

The two bills S.402 and H.R. 1968 both authorize a Cold War Service Medal,
there is also a provision SEC. 581 that authorizes the Cold War Service
Medal.
 
The Department of Defense has objected to the medal. They claim 
"duplication of awards" this fallacy begs the question of why millions of 
men and women completed the enlistments without receiving any type of 
medal or award.
 
DOD also claims that the cost factor would be $440 million based on
35 million veterans. It would in fact take several years for everyone
that would be eligible would actually apply.
 
DOD also once again brags about the Cold War Certificate, which makes
no mention of military service. In fact anyone who worked for the 
government is eligible for this certificate, and yet as of late 2009 only 
a little of 2 million had applied in the 7 years of its existence.
 
President Obama at least twice during his campaign stated that he thought
that the Cold War Medal should be issued . 
 
Please try to persuade DOD to change their stand on this issue. It is
time to recognize, remember and honor these brave men and women.
 
President Obama would you please use an executive order to create this
medal should the legislation fail to be passed.
 
Thank you, and I look forward to hearing any thoughts and comments
you might have on this important issue.
 
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

Thank You Congress..For leaving us waiting

It seems that our elected officials are more concerned about themselves and staying in office
than they are about the rest of the country. Just another slap in the face, punch in the stomach to all of America.

Instead of adjourning on October 8 as we all thought they would, low and behold they all made a big dash out of town on Thursday. Leaving the country in a lurch, they did pass a stop gap spending bill to keep things running for now.

Family care, child care, child nutrition and any and everything to do with our military and our veterans will have to wait until the lame duck session starts on November 15. Nothing was done about the tax cuts from the Bush era; which are due to expire at the end of the year, Democrats wanted to avoid lengthy debates.

As they come home and ask you to vote for them remember how they have held the country ransom. Do they deserve our vote? Is this the way to show Americans what is just and right? How can they
return to their home state and just leave so many important issues unanswered?

OK, they believe they can continue to pull the wool over our eyes, but stand up America tell these
men and women who are supposedly doing what is best You Have To Do Better.

It is hard to believe that these men and women who we voted for in the past to set the ship aright, now are jumping out of town to further their own desires; and apparently not caring what "Joe the plumber", or any of us think.

We can only hope that the next Congress will be more in tune with our country's needs. What we need
is more than just promises, we need action; and someone who will say Enough Is Enough!

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

Members of Congress want President Obama to FREE Johnathan Pollard

The man who was a spy for Israel against the U.S. stealing secret information and committed one of
most serious national security compromises in history now has several members of Congress that
want President Obama to grant him a pardon.

Pollard was sentenced to life in prison, but now it is claimed that his release would help advance peace
talks between Israel and the Palestinians.

From Veterans Today
http://www.veteranstoday.com/2010/09/24/u-s-congressmen-to-obama-free-pollard-to-facilitate-mideast-peace/

To me this makes no sense at all. A spy that could have changed the course of the Cold War, and who
gave away, or I should say sold, secrets that were very vital to America should stay locked up for the entire term of his sentence.

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

Pennsylvania to dedicate Cold War Memorial

Slowly and surely the Cold War is garnering recognition. Cities, towns, counties, states are remembering the Cold War, what it meant, how it influenced our country.

Many high schools and collages now have courses dedicated to the Cold War as part of their history/social science requirements.

We are still attempting to convince Congress to authorize a Cold War Service Medal. It has been a long struggle, but we will not give up the fight.

Cold War monument to be dedicated

The Veterans Memorial Park and Education Center Society will be dedicating the Cold War Monument, their most recent project, on Monday, Oct. 12 at 1 p.m. This event will take place at Veterans Park at Airport Park in Matamoras. The Cold War spanned the years 1945 to 1991. Although not a shooting war, it was a time of serious tension between the United States, its allies and the Soviet Union. To honor the sacrifice of the men and women who served during that period of time, park sponsors are inviting all military posts, organizations, individual veterans, and the general public to attend the dedication. Military posts that would like to take part in the ceremony with their color guards, are asked to contact Dick Gassmann at 570-491-4003, or Gene Goldner at 570-686-1448

Please contact your elected officials in Washington ask them to introduce legislation, or be a cosponsor when someone else brings forth a bill to authorize and direct DoD to issue a Cold War Service/Victory Medal.

Jerald Terwilliger, Chairman

American Cold War Veterans, Inc

When Congress Returns

The 111th Congress has some important issues to consider as they begin the second session.
Much has happened since adjournment for the month of August.

A special prosecutor, and both the Senate and House should start probes into the misdeeds
of former vice president Cheney. So much had been back channeled and stove piped that I
do not think even Mr. Cheney can remember it all.

It is a sad, sad state of affairs that has come to light in the last few weeks. If even half of the
allegations are proven to be truthful it makes one wonder, are we a nation of laws? Are some
people above the law? Were there just a couple of rouges, or is this just the tip of the iceberg.

Is it possible that in this day and age government officials can do what ever they want and escape punishment? Are more "bigwigs" doing wrong? Are laws to be laughed at, and only
applied to the poor and down beaten; the common man?

How can we as freedom loving Americans even begin to tell any other country how they
should promote democracy and decency, and honor? We can not run our own country
according to the laws of the land.

Stand up America, let your voices be heard. This abuse of justice must be stopped. Tell your
elected officials loud and clear: enough is enough!

Jerald Terwilliger
National Chairman
American Cold War Veterans, Inc.
"We Remember"