Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev) failed to get the 60 votes needed on a procedural motion
to start debate on the National Defense Authorization Act. The bill would repeal the Don't Ask Don't
Tell ban on gays serving openly in the military. The vote was 57-40.
It looks like most Republicans stuck to their pledge to pass no new legislation until Congress can
reach a deal on the Bush-era tax cut and government spending for 2011.
Senator Scott Brown of Massachusetts and Lisa Murkowski of Alaska both had been supporters of
the repeal, but both voted no. Democratic Senator Joe Manchin of West Virginia also voted no.
Several Republican Senators have said they would support the repeal of the ban, but want to have
open debate on the defense bill; including the ability to introduce amendments. They included Senator
Collins of Maine who voted in favor of cloture, and also Brown and Murkowski.
Senators Reid and Collins were working together to bring the NDAA to a vote, the Republicans
were talking about 10 amendments and the Democrats wanted to make 5 amendments.
So will the defense authorization be held off until next year? If so what changes will be made?
Will SEC.566 remain? It does not seem that the present bill would be scrapped and a new one
introduced, more than likely the bill as it now stands will be reintroduced; and then the debate
can continue.
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
Thursday, December 9, 2010
U.S. and Far East Allies to Continue Exercises
The U.S. will hold more military exercises with South Korea and Japan as a show of force.
U.S. Joint Chief of Staffs, Adm. Mullen and his South Korean counterpart have said "war games" will
continue, and probably hold more exercises with Japan in the Yellow Sea.
At the same time Adm. Mullen blasted China for not doing more to bring North Korea under control.
Mullen said "The Chinese have enormous control over the North, influence that no other nation on
earth enjoys". He went on to say "And yet, despite a shared interest in reducing tensions, they appear
unwilling to use it."
At the joint news conference, Han Min-Koo, South Korea's top military commander said that rules
of engagement are being strengthened to allow commanders on the ground to fire back immediately
in case of another attack by the North.
This comes as tensions continue to rise along the lines dating back to the 1950-1953 Korean War
with South Korea and the U.S. reaffirming the vows of their longstanding alliance.
North Korea has claimed that the three countries are forming a super triumvirate to act against
the North, and that these actions are a threat of war that North Korea will answer with all
might and power.
Jerald Terwiliger
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
U.S. Joint Chief of Staffs, Adm. Mullen and his South Korean counterpart have said "war games" will
continue, and probably hold more exercises with Japan in the Yellow Sea.
At the same time Adm. Mullen blasted China for not doing more to bring North Korea under control.
Mullen said "The Chinese have enormous control over the North, influence that no other nation on
earth enjoys". He went on to say "And yet, despite a shared interest in reducing tensions, they appear
unwilling to use it."
At the joint news conference, Han Min-Koo, South Korea's top military commander said that rules
of engagement are being strengthened to allow commanders on the ground to fire back immediately
in case of another attack by the North.
This comes as tensions continue to rise along the lines dating back to the 1950-1953 Korean War
with South Korea and the U.S. reaffirming the vows of their longstanding alliance.
North Korea has claimed that the three countries are forming a super triumvirate to act against
the North, and that these actions are a threat of war that North Korea will answer with all
might and power.
Jerald Terwiliger
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
Tuesday, December 7, 2010
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
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
Friday, December 3, 2010
USS Liberty Radio Hits the Airwaves
Phil Tourney, past president of the USS Liberty Veterans Association is the author of a book
on his perception of what happened that tragic day of June 8, 1967.
His book "What I Saw That Day Israel's June 8, 1967 Holocaust of US Serviceman Aboard the USS Liberty and its Aftermath." tells the story from a survivor's viewpoint.
Phil believe that to understand why the world is going down in flames today and the interminable
bankrupting wars in the middle east need to know history before they can understand the present.
The first thing that needs explaining is Israel's 2 hour attack, a deliberate and prolonged attack,
against the American Naval ship USS Liberty.
Phil is proud to announce his very own radio show, he will interview people and personalities with
a unique and invaluable perspective pertaining to U.S. involvement in the dirty business of Isreal's
wars in the middle east and where it is all going for the land of the free and the brave.
Tourney says "The key to bringing liberty back to the people of America and to the world at large
is the USS Liberty story."
If you follow this link to Veterans Today USS Liberty Hits the Airwaves you will be able to hear
his first broadcast.
For every freedom believing American this is a must. The truth must be told about this senseless
and horrific attack on an American Navy Vessel that has never been fully explained. And there was
never any retaliation, the U.S. accepted the Israel claim that "it was a mistake", and they did not
know it was an American ship.
This blatant attack took the lives of 34 men and wounded 170 and severely damaged the ship. For this
gross and unjustified murder of American sailors Israel paid a grand total of $3,323,500 as full
payment to the families of the 34 men killed in the attack. In March of 1969 Israel paid $3,566,457
as compensation to those who were injured.
On December 18, 1980 Israel agreed to pay $6 million dollars as settlement of the U.S. claim of
$7,644,146 for damage to the USS Liberty itself.
On December 17, 1987 the issue was officially closed by both governments.
Is this fair? Is this just? Should we just forget what happened? NO, NEVER, the truth must be
told.
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
on his perception of what happened that tragic day of June 8, 1967.
His book "What I Saw That Day Israel's June 8, 1967 Holocaust of US Serviceman Aboard the USS Liberty and its Aftermath." tells the story from a survivor's viewpoint.
Phil believe that to understand why the world is going down in flames today and the interminable
bankrupting wars in the middle east need to know history before they can understand the present.
The first thing that needs explaining is Israel's 2 hour attack, a deliberate and prolonged attack,
against the American Naval ship USS Liberty.
Phil is proud to announce his very own radio show, he will interview people and personalities with
a unique and invaluable perspective pertaining to U.S. involvement in the dirty business of Isreal's
wars in the middle east and where it is all going for the land of the free and the brave.
Tourney says "The key to bringing liberty back to the people of America and to the world at large
is the USS Liberty story."
If you follow this link to Veterans Today USS Liberty Hits the Airwaves you will be able to hear
his first broadcast.
For every freedom believing American this is a must. The truth must be told about this senseless
and horrific attack on an American Navy Vessel that has never been fully explained. And there was
never any retaliation, the U.S. accepted the Israel claim that "it was a mistake", and they did not
know it was an American ship.
This blatant attack took the lives of 34 men and wounded 170 and severely damaged the ship. For this
gross and unjustified murder of American sailors Israel paid a grand total of $3,323,500 as full
payment to the families of the 34 men killed in the attack. In March of 1969 Israel paid $3,566,457
as compensation to those who were injured.
On December 18, 1980 Israel agreed to pay $6 million dollars as settlement of the U.S. claim of
$7,644,146 for damage to the USS Liberty itself.
On December 17, 1987 the issue was officially closed by both governments.
Is this fair? Is this just? Should we just forget what happened? NO, NEVER, the truth must be
told.
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
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
Wednesday, December 1, 2010
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
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
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