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

Maine Women Veteran Commemorative Coin

Monday June 6, 2011 the Maine Veterans Service Office will present  the Maine Silver
Commemorative Coin to Maine Women Veterans.

The presentation will be held at the Maine Veterans Home in Scarborough, Maine, located at
 290 US Route one, Scarborough, ME. at 1PM

The Silver Commemorative Coin is struck in the likeness of the Women Veterans Plaque ("A
Heritage of Service") that hangs in the Hall of Flags at the State Capitol in Augusta.

Peter Ogden, Director, Maine Veteran Services announced "We will be presenting coins to
15 World War II Veterans, 5 Korea War Veterans, 5 Vietnam War Veterans, 4 Cold War Veterans,
and 15 Persian Gulf women Veterans."

The event is open to the public and all media is invited. Maine thanks everyone for their support
of our veterans.

Please plan to attend this worthy and overdue ceremony to recognize and honor Maine's Women
Veterans.

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

Female Veterans Bill of Rights

The House of Representatives voted and passed H.R. 5953 An act to direct the Secretary of Veterans
Affairs to display in each facility of the Department of Veterans Affairs a Women Veterans Bill of
Rights.

You can read the entire bill here Women Veterans Bill of Rights  This is a very important bill and when
it is sent to the Senate should be acted upon and passed quickly, with no changes.

It is just a shame that it has taken such a long time to finally face the undeniable fact that our Sister Veterans  deserve equal treatment and care.

Women Veterans are probably under more stress than their male counterparts. Stress, PTSD, are in
actuality harder for women. They have to perform the same as men, while at the same time are often
treated as less than equal, harassed-verbally, mentally and physically; and sad to say sexually abused.

When these brave women return home they find that their trials and tribulations are not over. The fight
goes on and becomes an even greater challenge. Far too often they travel down that long and lonely
road with no help.

Many of these women veterans are also mothers, often single mothers who find themselves with no
where to turn. A homeless veteran, male or female, is a blot on our country. A dark blemish that the
general public ignores and turns away from. This is not acceptable, and we as Americans should
be ashamed, we must do the proper and correct thing; and it must be done NOW.

While it is true that help is available many veterans do not know how or where to obtain proper care.
Our veterans were promised care when they joined the military, but it is very hard to find the help that
is needed.

One veteran lost is one too many. Our nation should stand up and not just say, but show, that we will
stand beside our military and our veterans. Every newspaper, every radio and TV station should do
their utmost to publicize how and where to go for assistance, and do it often; make sure that the
word gets out that Yes we do care, we will help you.

Why does it take so long, and why does it have to be an act of Congress to even begin to do the
right thing?

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

Female military/veterans Suicide Risk

It is not just the male military members and veterans that are at high risk for suicide. Young female
veterans are almost three times more likely to commit suicide than non-veterans. The young are also
more likely to do so than older veterans.

Women in the 18 to 34 age bracket are at the highest risk, followed by those aged 35 to 44; and those
aged 45 to 64 were in the lowest risk group.

Data from 16 states, part of the National Violent Death Reporting System show that between 2004 and
2007, 5,948 female suicides in the age group 18 to 34 there were 56 suicides among 418,132 or a ratio
of 1 in 7,465. That was compared to 1,461 out of 33,257,362 non-veterans or 1 out of 22,763.

This should be a wake-up call to care givers and doctors to be more aware of warning signs, and to
take preventative action. Women can be forgotten and left out.

Women veterans also face very high homeless rates, and those with children are even more vulnerable.

The Veterans Suicide Prevention Hotline number is 1-800-273-TALK (8255). Please write that number
down and share it with every veteran you know who is going through depression and/or PTSD and
might be at risk.

So America it is time to stand together for all veterans, demand that every one of them be given
the proper care they need.

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

S.1237-Homeless Women Veterans and Homeless Veterans with Children Act of 2009

There is a bill in the Senate S.1237 RS Homeless Women Veterans and Homeless Veterans with Children Act of 2009
This bill was introduced by Senator Patty Murray (WA) with 8 cosponsors.
It has been reported out of the Committee on Veterans Affairs, and placed on the Senate Legislative Calendar.

This is a very important bill that will be of special interest and provide support for Women Veterans
and homeless Veterans with children. It will greatly increase special programs for Women Veterans
and homeless Veterans and will provide more and better care.

The American Cold War Veterans support this bill, and we reach out to our sisters-in-arms, knowing
the extra burdens faced by Women Veterans. The trials and tribulations these brave women face
are often much harder than those faced by male Veterans.

We seek equal treatment for ALL Veterans, no matter where on when they served. The uniform worn,
the job description, sex or national origin have no bearing on one fact: they are Veterans.

That should be the only criteria needed to allow access to the Veterans Administration; health care,
disability pensions, or any other program offered by the VA.

It is time for America to stand up for our Veterans and demand the best possible care. These Veterans
stood up for America, placed their lives on hold, faced danger and arduous conditions everyday.

Please contact both of your Senators, email, phone, fax, face-to-face tell them that ALL Veterans
deserve the same and equal treatment: the best our country can give them. Ask them to cosponsor
and vote for passage of S. 1237. Do not take no or a "canned" response as an answer. Contact your
Senators often, perhaps they will finally understand.

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

Happy Mothers Day To Those In Uniform

Happy Mother's Day To Women In Uniform, Past Or Present

You served our Country proud and true
Even if it took you far from home and family
You stood tall, you did your best

You may have missed birthdays and all the holidays
School plays, band recitals your seat was there emptily
You may have wondered why am I here
Will they know me when I return

Then you came home, and without a doubt
You knew them by their happy, tearful shout
Welcome home Mom, we love you so
We missed you and were sad when you had to go

So even though, the times away were hard and trying
You knew you were doing your job, it had to be done
Now safe at home we offer our thanks
For a job well done

Now may God Bless you each and everyone
Your sacrifices, your honor to our flag
Will not be forgotten, we know your were there

So today we hope you and your family
Can celebrate together and find some joy
Try to forget those days you missed
Remember your brothers and sisters in arms

To all who are now serving our country
We owe you a debt that can not be repaid
You are there, where we once were
For you and all our troops we have prayed

Know that you are loved, honored, and respected
For all you have done and are doing daily
We know it hurts to be away, to miss another special day
You are in our hearts and minds

Thank you is not enough, mere words..
But from the bottom of our hearts we say

Happy Mothers Day

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

US Miliary Women Sexually Harassed, Abused, Raped

1/3rd of Women in US Military Raped | NEWS JUNKIE POST

According to NPR, “In 2003, a survey of female veterans found that 30 percent said they were raped in the military. A 2004 study of veterans who were seeking help for post-traumatic stress disorder found that 71 percent of the women said they were sexually assaulted or raped while serving. And a 1995 study of female veterans of the Gulf and earlier wars, found that 90 percent had been sexually harassed.”

The BBC recently reported on The Lonely Soldier: The Private War of Women Serving in Iraq by Helen Benedict. This book examines the extreme difficulties female soldiers have in serving abroad. Benedict interviewed several women in the military to get a deeper understanding of the issue, and some of their stories were real eye openers.

Army specialist Chantelle Henneberry spoke of some of her experiences in Iraq, “Everybody’s supposed to have a battle buddy in the army, and females are supposed to have one to go to the latrines with, or to the showers – that’s so you don’t get raped by one of the men on your own side. But because I was the only female there, I didn’t have a battle buddy. My battle buddy was my gun and my knife.”

Another study concluded that 90% of all women serving are sexually harassed. Another one estimates that 90% of all the rapes do not get reported, despite supposedly easier ways to report the crime with confidentiality since 2005. Either way, this appears to be an epidemic that needs to be dealt with.

An online discussion from a former soldier whose identity is being protected had this to say, “At least a rape ends. It’s the day-to-day degradation that eats at you. None of my friends who were raped on active duty reported it. Or if we tried, we were told to shut up for ‘morale.’ Working with your rapist on a daily basis isn’t a lot of fun, believe me.”

How the military is dealing with this appears to demonstrate a pattern of sweeping it under the rug. In 2008, 62% of those that were convicted of sexual assault or rape received very lenient punishments such as demotion, suspension, or a written reprimand.

This problem is not confined to the US military either. This abuse is rampant among private defense contractors overseas as well, as recently highlighted by the recent press about Jamie Leigh Jones. Ms. Jones was in Iraq in 2005 when seven Halliburton/KBR employees drugged and brutally gang-raped her. Her injuries were so extensive that she had lacerations to her vagina and anus, her breast implants were ruptured, and her pectoral muscles torn. The response of KBR was to lock her in a shipping container with only a bed, and to deny her food, water, and medical treatment. The rape kit that was taken after she regained consciousness was mysteriously lost.

This crime eventually led to an amendment being added to the defense appropriations bill by Sen. Al Franken (D-MN). This would require defense contractors to allow their employees access to US courts in cases of rape or sexual assault, regardless of where they are stationed. The 30 Republican senators voted against this amendment are currently being humiliated on the Republicans for Rape website and by John Stewart on the Daily Show.

The culture of sexual violence against women that is allowed to exist in both the US military and private contractors needs to come to an end. When almost a third of all women serving are raped, and over two thirds sexually assaulted, this problem is rampant and systemic.

Jerald Terwilliger
National Chairman
American Cold War Veterans

Women veterans, military members gather for inaugural summit | Minnesota Public Radio NewsQ

Minnesota is stepping up the help Women Veterans and Military Members. We need more states
to do more to help our Women Service Members and Veterans

Women veterans, military members gather for inaugural summit | Minnesota Public Radio NewsQ

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