Virginia Voters to decide on tax break for veterans

The state of Virginia is asking voters if a tax break should be given to veterans.

Question 2 "Asks voters if the constitution of Virginia should be amended to require the General Assembly to provide a real property tax exemption for the principal residence of a veteran or his or her
surviving spouse if the veteran has a 100 percent service-connected and permanent and total disability.
The proposed amendment would the General Assembly to pass a law exempting from local taxation the principal residence owned and occupied by any veteran with a 100 percent service-connected permanent and total disability. The veterans surviving spouse could continue to claim the exemption provided he or she does not remarry and continues to occupy the home as his or her principal residence."

It appears that the legislators will determine how large of an exemption will be granted, I am sure it will not be a total exemption, but rather a percentage.

This is a great first step, now we question, what about the rest of the veterans. Are they to be left out
in the cold? Does the state have exemptions (as some states do) for Korean and Vietnam Wars?
And what about the Cold War Veteran, are they to still be ignored?

I urge everyone who lives in Virginia to vote yes on Question 2, remember, recognize and honor our

veterans. It is time to say Thank You for your service. You have done well.


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

National Day of Remembrance for Nuclear Workers

Today October 30, 2010 is National Day of Remembrance for those Atomic Workers in honor of Cold War Veterans.

We salute and standby our brothers and sisters who at great cost to their health and well being worked
hard long hours being constantly exposed to nuclear energy, including uranium miners, millers, truckers
and employees of nuclear weapons facilities.

They placed not only their own lives, but also the lives and health of their families for generations to come, in peril.

It is sad to say that they were not always aware of the consequences of their dedication and hard work. It was many years before some of the problems started to show, and our government finally admitted that it was possibly due to their exposure.

Many are still fighting for their health and happiness as they battle the diseases that ravage their bodies. It is unfair and unjust.

It is time for our country to take care of its own. Give these men and women the health care, the recognition they deserve. The Cold War Patriots are fighting for them all, and we join them in their crusade for justice.

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

Russian Military had busy week

The Russian military has been very busy in the last few days as they continue to rebuild and renew.
Not a good sign at this time.

On Thursday Russia test fired a Topal RS-12M (SS-25 Sickle) a single warhead intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) with a yield of 550 kilotons and a range of 6,125 miles. While this is one of their older missiles, first put into service in 1985, its service life has been extended several times.

This will be replaced by the Topal-M (SS-27 Stalin) which is a single warhead 550 Kiloton, the design is compatible with MIRV carrying 4 to 6 warheads along with decoys. It reportedly has a range of 1,242 to 6,525 miles. It is also claimed to be Russia's most accurate with a CEP of 657 feet.

Russia claims the missile will be invulnerable to any current of future US missile defense systems.  It can make evasive measures and is shielded against radiation,  EMP, nuclear explosions at distances of
over 1641 feet, and with take a hit from any laser. It can be launched from a shielded silo or from a mobile launcher.

Russia also launched two SLBM's from submerged submarines. One submarine fired a Sineva missile, the other fired a SS-N-18 Stingray missile. These missiles were fired at the same time and hit their designated targets.

Friday Russia had a successful launch of the much troubled Bulava (Mace) RSM-56 SBLM. This missile can carry up to ten independently targeted supersonic warheads which Russia claims cannot be
intercepted by any known means. The multiple warheads reached their targets 4,970 miles away in approximately 20 minutes.

Friday also saw the launch of the first of a new class of frigates. The project 22350 ship Admiral Gorshkov is a 4,500 ton frigate with a speed of 29 knots and a range of 4,000 nm at 14 knots.

It will carry a crew of 210 and large assortment of armament. It will have a 130 mm gun, a Kashtan Close In Weapons System, 8 Oniks (SS-N-26) anti-ship missiles, the Shtil (SA-N-12) medium range anti-aircraft missile complex, four 533 mm torpedo tubes. RPK-9 Medvedka-VE (SS-N-29) anti-submarine rockets and 24 Uragan SAM missiles. It will also carry a Ka-27 or Ka-32 helicopter.

Defense Ministry sources say the Russian Navy will receive 10 of these vessels in the next decade, and needs between 20 and 30 of these frigates as the main ocean-going surface ship.

This is all done just before the start of new talks scheduled to take place between the US and Russia.
It seems that Russia is purposely trying to prove they can be stronger and more dangerous.

Can it be that Russia plans to hold the upper hand and dictate to the US? Is the "reset" going to happen? One has to wonder.

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

New York City Councilman wants to give Cold War Veterans Tax Break

New York city councilman Vincent J. Gentile is introducing a bill that would give about 24,000 Cold War Veterans the same exemption on property taxes that are given to veterans of other wars.

A fifteen percent exemption on property taxes would be available for all Cold War Veterans for 15 years and would be capped at $39.000. The period September 2, 1945 through December 26, 1991 is considered the Cold War Era by the legislation. A discharge or separation of honorable conditions

In 2009 New York State gave cities, towns, villages and counties the option to grant this exemption to Cold War Veterans. Councilman Gentile said "My legislation would have New York City opt into the
 state tax exemption to make sure all our veterans are given the respect and courtesy they deserve."

It is our hope that more states take the same course and provide recognition to all Cold War Veterans.
Small steps, taken a few at a time, but we would like to see it turn into a groundswell to finally say
"Thank You" to the Cold War 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

Veteran and Military Suicide Rates Still Climbing

 The Department of Defense has give Florida State University a 17 million dollar grant to attempt to
find out why more Veterans from Iraq and Afghanistan are committing suicide than those who fought
in previous US wars.

More than 1,100 veterans have died at their own hand between 2005 and 2009. This pushes the veteran
suicide rate higher than the general population, while in the past the rate has been lower than the general population.

The three year long grant and research will try to find the cause and attempt to develop a treatment.

So not only are veterans becoming homeless at a rate greater than normal, but also they are turning to
drugs, alcohol and other methods to ease their pain and suffering. When those attempts fail, and the
veteran does not get help, they fall back on the only thing that will stop the anguish; they take their
own lives.

Something must be done, and done quickly to stop this horrific and needless torture our veterans face
every day.

It is time for our country to step up and accept the fact that veterans are being ignored, misdiagnosed, and mistreated. We owe it to every man and women who ever wore a military uniform, and served our country; now we must serve 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

Lets Make The USS Liberty A Household Word

Jim Conit Jr. is running for the 8th Congressional District in Ohio. He wants a complete investigation into the USS Liberty Attack.

He is running radio ads and wants to spread the word across the country about the massacre of American Sailors. He wants the truth to be told.

Finally someone is standing up for the crew of the USS Liberty and what happened and why.

http://www.veteranstoday.com/2010/10/20/jim-condit-jr-help-me-make-the-attack-on-the-uss-liberty-a-household-word/

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