Search on Guam for MIA's

POW/MIA TEAM SEARCHES FOR UNACCOUNTED-FOR AMERICANS IN GUAM
Specialized research team searches for World War II service members

JOINT BASE PEARL HARBOR-HICKAM, Hawaii (May 9, 2012) - A specialized investigation team from the U.S. Joint POW/MIA Accounting Command (JPAC) arrived in Guam this week to search for information pertaining to American heroes who remain unaccounted-for from World War II.

“A research and investigative team will be on Guam for about two weeks searching for evidence of approximately 70 U.S. service members who remain unaccounted-for from the Second World War,” said Dr. Rob Thompson, recovery leader for the Hawaii-based team.

Additionally, the seven-person team will develop and authenticate leads from eyewitnesses and conduct field research; JPAC personnel will attempt to locate wreckage, equipment or personal effects to specifically correlate sites to unaccounted-for Americans. This investigation will help set the groundwork for any future recovery teams by clearly defining the work that will be required to properly recover the site.

Individuals with information concerning U.S. losses may contact JPAC directly at http://www.jpac.pacom.mil/index.php?page=jpac&size=100&ind=5

Falling directly under the U.S. Pacific Command and employing more than 400 joint military and civilian personnel, JPAC continues its search for the more than 83,000 Americans still missing from past conflicts.

The ultimate goal of the Joint POW/MIA Accounting Command, and of the agencies involved in returning America’s heroes home, is to conduct global search, recovery and laboratory operations in order to support the Department of Defense’s personnel accounting efforts.

"Until They Are Home"


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

Cold War Salute

 A fellow Cold War Veteran and friend Steve McCurdy (The Minuteman) and two associates,
Valentine Dagher (Crazy Horse) and Ramone Hulett (Cutter) are undertaking a tremendous and honorable project.

They plan to honor Cold War Veterans throughout America, as a way of saying Thank You for Your Service to all those who served in the military between Sept. 1945 and Dec. 1991.

It is their goal to travel across the U.S. this summer, covering some 15,000 miles in a star-spangled SUV.

As they make this incredible journey they will present Cold War Medals to 100 veterans in 100 cities. They will also
make stops at several Cold War Missile Sites, Army, Navy and Air Force installations that were
an essential part of the Cold War.

This journey will become a filmed documentary of their tour of America and the presentation of honors befitting the sacrifices of Cold War Veterans: "Crazy Horse, Cutter, and the Minuteman A Cold War Salute."

Please visit the website http://coldwarsalute.com/ for more information and locations of planned stops.

Further information on the tour and how to donate to the cause to help travel costs and medals go to
http://www.indiegogo.com/ColdWarSalute

This worthy endeavor needs the support of all Americans, with your help recognition will finally be given to those brave men and women.

The Department of Defense has decided not to issue a medal to our nation's
Cold Warriors. Help us right this wrong and do what is correct and remember the long and often bitter
fight for peace and freedom.

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

American Cold War Veterans May 1 Meeting

 The American Cold War Veterans  annual meeting will be held May 1, 2012. Once again the location is in
Washington, DC.

We will be meeting in Room SVC 200 which is in the new Capitol Visitors Center, on the
Senate side of the building, from 1PM till 3PM. Information
on the Visitors Center http://www.visitthecapitol.gov/visit/ the website also has links for methods to reach
the Capitol, Prohibited items and general info.

We also plan to go to Arlington Cemetery following the general meeting to hold a memorial service at
4PM. On completion of the service we will place flowers on the graves of Cold War Heroes.

Hotel: We will be using the Best Western Pentagon located at 2480 South Glebe Road, Arlington, VA 22206
Phone: 403-682-5500 Fax: 403-682-2361 email: ejenkins@yourdchotels.com be sure to ask for Group Sales
and mention that you are with the American Cold War Veterans.

Room rates are $129.00 plus tax per night. We have the rooms from April 30 to May 2. If you wish to make
your stay longer please ask Erica Simuel in Group Sales if you can still have the same group rate.

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

VA Introduces Text Messaging to Expand Efforts to Prevent Suicide

VA Introduces Text Messaging to Expand Efforts to Prevent Suicide

WASHINGTON – The Department of Veterans Affairs is expanding its efforts to prevent suicide through several new initiatives that increase the availability of services for Veterans, Servicemembers and their families.

The new initiatives include a new, free, confidential text-messaging service in the existing Veterans Crisis Line, introduction of toll-free access from Europe, and collaboration with Vets Prevail and Vets4Warriors, two groups providing crisis help to Veterans, Service members and their families.

“Offering text messaging services will help VA reach more Veterans and their friends and families,” said Dr. Janet Kemp, VA’s national mental health director for suicide prevention.  “We are working to meet their needs by communicating through multiple channels -- over the phone, through online chat, and now via text, which provides quick, easy access to support.  VA wants all Veterans to know that confidential support is only a text message away.”  

Since its founding July 2007, VA’s Veterans Crisis Line and the later Chat Service have received 500,000 calls and engaged in 31,000 chats resulting in over 18,000 rescues of Veterans in immediate crisis.

Now, in addition to the Veterans Crisis Line (1-800-273-8255 and Press 1) and online chat (www.VeteransCrisisLine.net), Veterans and Servicemembers in crisis—and their friends and families—may text free of charge to 83-8255 to receive confidential, personal and immediate support.  The text service is available, like the Veterans Crisis Line and online chat, 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year and connects a user with a specially trained VA professional -- many who are Veterans themselves.

As a part of the effort to extend VA’s reach, Veterans and members of the military community in Europe may now receive free, confidential support from the European Military Crisis Line, a new initiative recently launched by VA.  Callers in Europe may dial 0800-1273-8255 or DSN 118 to receive confidential support from responders at the Veterans Crisis Line in the U.S. 

VA’s Veterans Crisis Line continues to add external resources to provide Veterans with additional support.   Two of these organizations include Vets Prevail (www.VetsPrevail.org) and Vets4Warriors (www.Vets4Warriors.com).  
In December, Vets Prevail launched a chat service that connects Veterans to caring responders who provide information on a wide variety of resources.  If the Veteran is in crisis or needs mental health support, the conversation is then seamlessly transferred to a VA Veterans Crisis Line responder.  

Vets4Warriors has helped thousands of their peers connect with confidential assistance through a free hotline (1-855-838-8255/1-855-VET-TALK) and online chat (www.Vets4Warriors.com). If a Veteran is in need of professional crisis or mental health support, Vets4Warriors’ responders will transfer the Veteran to a responder at the Veterans Crisis Line.

For more information about VA’s suicide prevention program, visit: http://www.mentalhealth.va.gov/suicide_prevention/

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

DoD starts prorating Imminent Danger Pay

DOD Begins Prorating Imminent Danger Pay

By Jim Garamone
American Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON, Feb. 2, 2012 – Service members now will receive imminent danger pay only for days they actually spend in hazardous areas, Pentagon officials said here today.

The change, which took effect yesterday, was included in the 2012 National Defense Authorization Act, which President Barack Obama signed into law Dec. 31.

“Members will see the prorated amount in their Feb. 15 pay records,” Pentagon spokesman Navy Capt. John Kirby said.

The act called for DOD to pay service members imminent danger pay only for the time they spend in areas that qualify for the pay. In the past, service members received $225 per month if they spent any time that month in an area where the pay was authorized. “This is a more targeted way of handling that pay,” Kirby said.

Now, service members will receive $7.50 a day for days spent in these areas. Personnel who travel to the designated areas for periods less than 30 days should keep track of the number of days they are in the area to verify that they are paid for the correct number of days, officials said.

The military services are working to waive or remit debts for members who may have been overpaid for January, officials said. The services can waive this “when there is no indication of fraud, fault, misrepresentation, or when members were unaware they were overpaid,” Pentagon spokeswoman Eileen Lainez said.

Proration is based on a 30-day month, which translates into a rate of $7.50 per day. It does not matter if the month is 28 or 31 days long, officials explained; if service members serve in affected areas for the complete month, they will receive the full rate of $225 per month.

The Defense Department defines imminent danger pay areas as places where members are subject to the threat of physical harm or imminent danger because of civil insurrection, civil war, terrorism or wartime conditions.

Service members who come under fire, regardless of location, will receive the full monthly hostile-fire pay amount of $225.

Service members will receive notification of the change via emails, on the MyPay system, on social media sites and via the chain of command.

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 for Weed United Still Using POW/MIA Logo

Veterans for Weed have changed their name a little. Originally their name Veterans for Weed and using the acronym  "VFW" they are now called Veterans for Weed United and VFWU.

Of course VFW is a copyright owned by the Veterans of Foreign Wars. A cease-and-desist order to the Milwaukee based organization, which did alter their name slightly.

What is most outrageous about this group and their website: They have taken the POW/MIA logo
and changed it to suit their thoughts on "weed".

This logo shows "Pot Pow" and includes a soldier smoking a joint, with the words "stoner soldier"
underneath.

It is true that the POW/MIA logo is not covered under copyright laws, which the originators
failed to do, thus it is in the public domain.

But this misuse is an insult to those who are still missing, and most offensive to their families.
This is an outrage and a direct disrespect to anyone who ever wore the uniform of our country.
They should be ashamed of the blatant disregard of the feelings of our heroes who have not yet
returned home.

Is this a way to show respect and honor for our missing? Those we have promised "we will
never forget." Most assuredly not.

VFWU should be forced to change this abomination and they way to do that is to inundate them
with letter and emails telling them to cease-and-desist. You can find their deplorable site
here http://theveteransforweed.com/index.shtml to place you complaints.

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