Veterans Job Corps Act of 2012 Down In Flames

The Veterans Job Cops Act of 2012 which would have in the next five years spent $1 billion dollars
to create jobs for veterans working in police and fire departments as well as tending to federal lands
was defeated today.

Forty Republicans voted against the bill, reinforcing in many veterans minds the fact that Congress
just does not care about our nations veterans. This has been a hit and miss year, while many good
bills were passed, many others just as important,  did make the grade; going down in flames in
either the House or the Senate.

The Republicans opposed the bill that was introduced by Sen. Patty Murray, a long and hard fighting
friend of our military and veterans.

Could it be that John McCain, Lindsey Graham, Saxby Chamblis and the remainder of Senators who
have not always been friendly to veterans saw this as a chance to take another shot at President Obama?

Five Senators voted with the Democrats, Scott Brown (MA), Dean Heller (NV), Lisa Murkowski (AK)
and both Susan Collins and Olympia Snowe from Maine. All staunch supports of our military and veterans.

Senator Tom Coburn claimed that there is "no evidence that jobs for vets will work.

So the Republicans claiming the bill was too expensive decided to thank veterans by denying them
a chance for employment. And then it appears that the Senators declined to take any questions
concerning the bill at their weekly press conference.

If your Senator voted against this bill ask them WHY?  Go to one of their events, as many of them
are gong home soon in an attempt to gain voter support. Ask them why a veteran should support
them.

More important when it come time to vote, vote them out of office. If they don't like us, we sure
don't like them.

---- 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

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

Have You Ever Thanked A Veteran?

As a veteran myself, when I see a veteran wearing a hat, shirt, jacket, or other emblem that says
he served in our military, I always say Thank You for Your Service.

I also thank the men and women I see in uniform no matter where it might be.

These brave men and women have placed their lives on hold, and placed themselves in jeopardy every
day. Is it too much to say a simple Thank You?

Many stores, tourist attractions, and countless other entities offer military and/or veteran discounts.
Yet when a customer provides proof of service most times the cashier, the one placing items in the
bags, or even those in line do not bother to acknowledge the service of a veteran; or even a current
member of the military.

Are we afraid as a country to say Thank You? Are we ashamed that perhaps we did not serve?
Or as a country are we just that plain selfish? The old "rather you than me" is a hard way of thinking.

A veteran will not become angry and yell at you, instead they will simply smile and say Thank You
right back to you. To be noticed and appreciated by such a simple thing is very heart warming
and a humbling experience to a vet.

So next time you see a veteran, or a person in uniform just say Thank You for Your Service, you will
feel better and so will they.

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