U.S. Ends Mission To Iraq

In a small ceremony today the U.S. mission to Iraq finally came to an end. It was a war that cost
almost 4.5000 American lives and billions of dollars.

The Commander of U.S. forces in Iraq furled his flag during the short ceremony, which signified
the end of his command. The ceremony was attended by Secretary of Defense Leon E. Pannetta,
Army General Martin Dempsey-Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and Ambassador
James Jeffery.


The last 4,000 troops will depart by this weekend, fulfilling a promise by President Obama to
withdraw all American soldiers by years end.


The U.S. diplomatic mission will still contain about 200 U.S. military personnel to oversee
arms sales and other military exchanges for a while longer.

We wish the nation of Iraq all the best in the coming years. It will not be an easy task, and they
will face huge tasks and challenges. There will be terrorists and others who will seek to destroy
the new government. There is also the likelihood of renewed ethnic and sectarian struggles and
more violence. Plus the fact that Iran is sure to assert more influence in the region is sure to create
more problems for Iraq.

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

Telephone Support For Veterans Spouses To Be Expanded

Secretary of Veterans Affairs, Eric K. Shineski has announced that telephone support program
designed for the spouses of veterans returning from Iraq and Afghanistan will be expanded.

The program which focuses on communication and problem solving has shown to reduce stress, and
spouses join support groups in a 12 sessions over a 6 month period.

Secretary Shineski said "Returning to civilian life after living in constant combat readiness can be
a shocking transition, and it is the immediate family, the spouses and children, who bear that
brunt of that transition with those who served." Shineski went on to say "The more support we
can provide to the family, the better the outcome will be for our Veterans."

Based on research by VA researchers Dr. Linda Nichols and Dr. Jennifer Martindale-Adams,
of the Memphis VA Medical Center and the University of Tennessee Health Science Center.

The program is part of the VA Caregiver Support Program. The Caregiver Support Line
phone number is 1-855-260-3274.

More information on the Caregiver Support Program please go to the main website
at http://www.caregiver.va.gov/

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

Iraq and Afghanistan vets, do you qualify for Stop-Loss?

Another friendly reminder for those affected by Stop-Loss

If you or a loved one involuntarily were caught in the Stop-Loss and had your service extended between Sept. 11, 2001 and Sept. 30, 2009 you are eligible for Retroactive Stop Loss Pay. That is $500 for every month you were extended.

Time is running out though, the Department of Defense did extend the deadline; but only until
Dec. 18, 2010.

So if you as a service member, veteran, or beneficiary of a military member qualify for this Stop-Loss
Pay, please submit your claim immediately. The DoD website will provide links where you can get
more information or start you RSLP claim you can find it here http://www.defense.gov/stoploss)

The average payment is $3,700. Do not let this slip away, it was earned and is deserved.

Jerald Terwilliger
National Chairman
American Cold War Veterans



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

University of Connecticut to study PTSD-seeks volunteers

 The University of Connecticut is seeking veterans of the Iraq and Afghanistan wars to conduct studies
of PTSD.

Two different types of treatment will be used in this study of Post Traumatic Stress Syndrome.

One type of treatment involves the veteran working through the troubling memories of combat, a rather
standard type of treatment.

The other does not involve delving into those memories, but instead helps teach skills to help manage
the emotions associated with painful memories and events.

These is not cost to the individual for the study, and in fact there will be a small stipend for agreeing
to volunteer for the project.

Anyone interested in joining the study is asked to call 860-679-2214 for more information.

So an veteran of Iraq/Afghanistan who is suffering from PTSD please seek help, and this is a very
good way to find that help.

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