North Korea Warns of Nuclear War

The escalating tension in Korea has become even more evident and frightening.

North Korea threatened South Korea that it might deploy a nuclear bomb on the South because
of "South Korean's reckless war policies." North Korea also said "The intensity and scope of the
strike will be more serious than the Nov. 23 shelling."

The two countries have been fighting over the 38th parallel and the adjacent areas since the end of
the Korean War, which ended more as a cease fire, without a treaty.

The North's National Peace Committee has said "The army and our people are ready for both an
escalated war and an all out war."

Reminders of the Cold War abound as this not only involves the North and South, but the entire
region. Pakistan has accused the U.S. and South Korea of an ongoing policy of confrontation. Pakistan
also says that North Korea needed its nuclear program to fend them off.

China has long been a supporter, and supplier of North Korea. Chinese Foreign Minister
Yang Jiechi said "Our general goal is for all sides to exercise calm and restraint and to make
every effort to avoid such incidents recurring."

So the world waits and watches to see exactly what course the North will take. We also wonder what
will their new leader do when he takes control of the country from his father.

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

Congess asking about problems at Arlington

On Thursday they House of Representatives passed a bill that will require the Secretary of the Army
to provide Congress a full accounting of all 320,000 graves in Arlington National Cemetery. The Senate had already passed the legislation.

Following several scandals at Arlington, including unmarked or mislabeled graves in three of the seventy sections. It was also shown that at least four burial urns were dug up and dumped in a pile of dirt. More problems were uncovered including eight cremated remains that were placed in one grave.

The bill would also require a complete review of the contracts issued to digitize the paper records
of the cemetery. It would also conduct a study to determine if the authority and running of the cemetery should remain with the Army or turned over to the Department of Veterans Affairs.

Senator Claire McKasill (MO) said  that the bill "will provide the congressional oversight we need
to ensure we fix any errors as quickly as possible."

Now that Congress has acted swiftly, we can only hope that the followup investigation is done as
swiftly, and as correctly as possible.

Our heroes deserve the proper recognition and honor and respect of our country. They gave their
all in our defense, now let us defend them.

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

End to Don't Ask, Don't Tell?

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid has stated his intention to have the Senate vote on repeal
of the Don't Ask, Don't Tell before a new Congress convenes in January.

"We are in session, if necessary, up to January 5. I hope that's not necessary, but that's the clock my
Republicans colleagues have to run out," said Reid. I'm not going to let our country's work not
be completed."

The House approved the legislation late Wednesday by a margin of 250-175. So if the Senate approves
the bill it will go to President Obama to sign into law.

President Obama has already stated he wants to see the ban eliminated. Also calling for repeal of the
ban are The Secretary of Defense Robert Gates and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Adm. Mike
Mullen.

The legislation would lift the ban only after the President, the Secretary of Defense and the Chairman
of the Joint Chiefs certify that doing so would not harm military effectiveness, readiness, unit cohesion
and recruiting and retention.

We are hopeful that with the passage of this legislation, Congress can proceed to the National Defense
Authorization Act, finish the tax-cut plan; as well as other pending important legislation required
to keep our country running strong and true.

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

Is Korea the next battle?

North Korea in the recent weeks has become more aggressive and is issuing threats almost daily.

Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Adm. Mike Mullen has said that the danger of war in Korea
is rising and North Korea has increased the tension with its aggression against the South.

Former Secretary of Defense William Cohen has suggested that the U.S. increase it's troop strength
in Korea at least for a period of time while the North is still acting in a belligerent manner.

It is felt that while these remarks were aimed at the North, it was also another call to China, that it
is time to reign in its partner. China has been supporting North Korea and has ignored requests to
step in and do what can be done to contain the problem.

A diplomatic source in Washington said "U.S. officials are hinting that they are willing to risk a
military clash with the North as a kind of warning to China"

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

Russia Sub Chasing Planes interuprt US/Japan War Games

The United States and Japan were all set for a day of joint naval practice yesterday when two very uninvited and disruptive guests showed up: Russian sub-hunting planes.
The U.S. and Japanese navies were in the Sea of Japan for their biennial Keen Sword exercises in the largest U.S.-Japan defense drill to date when two Il-38 Anti-Submarine Warfare planes  buzzed the assembled warships, forcing the U.S. to scramble F-15s to intercept them. The exercise was briefly postponed in order to prevent the Russian sub-hunters from snooping on the naval operations.
Russia defended its actions, saying the planes were operating legally in international waters. It’s nonetheless annoying for the U.S. and Japan — and that may be the point.
The U.S. has been beefing up military ties with East Asian partners in the wake of increasing North Korean aggression, sending the U.S.S. George Washington to drill with South Korea and inviting South Korean officers on hand to observe Keen Sword. So its fairly clear that the exercise isn’t aimed at intimidating Russia,though it dates to the cold war.
But the Russians might not exactly see it that way. Over the last month, Russian and Japanese politicians have made dueling visits to islands claimed by both countries. Russia’s interruption of the exercise was likely intended as a reminder that it still feels a bit strongly about its claims to the disputed islands.
Trolling rivals with military aircraft has been a favorite tactic for Russia to remind folks its still a force to be reckoned with, despite its economic troubles during the 1990s. In recent years, it has buzzed U.S. aircraft carriers and the borders of its NATO rivals with bombers and fighter jets. Russia even went for a retro Cuban missile crisis effect by threatening to send Tu-160 supersonic bombers to Cuba if the United States didn’t drop its plans for a missile shield in Eastern Europe.
But it seems like everybody wants to show their muscles in seas of East Asia these days, from China, to the U.S. to North Korea and now Russia and Japan. With all the activity, the waters in the region look they’re in danger of getting pretty warm soon.

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

Senators Lieberman and Collins to introduce bill to repeal DADT

Senators Joe Lieberman(Ind-Conn) and Susan Collins (R-Me) have said they will introduce
a "stand alone" bill to repeal the Don't Ask, Don't Tell ban on gays in the military.

Sen. Lieberman states that Senator Harry Reid (D-Nev) the Senate Majority Leader has agreed
to bring the legislation to the Senate Floor.

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