Lebanon, PA to honor Cold War Veterans

For those of you who live in and around Lebanon, PA be proud. Once again small town America
steps up to notice Cold War Veterans more information here:
Lebanon, PA

Thank You Lebanon Valley and city of Lebanon, PA

---- Jerald Terwilliger Former 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 Service Medal: Read The Articles and Take Action

I see almost daily that people are reading this blog, searching for information on the Cold War Service
Medal. We have been trying for more than ten years to achieve this medal. We even changed the
name from "Victory Medal"(which we would rather see) to "Service Medal" in thoughts of
making the idea more acceptable to some members of Congress. But, after all this time, and
many bills being written we are still short of the goal line. Will it ever come to fruition?
YOU can HELP.

Once you read the articles I ask that you take some action: Use the links on the right to POPVOX to
contact you elected officials asking them to become cosponsors to S.402 and H.R. 1968. These get
delivered to your officials at no cost to you.

You can also go to Congress.org at http://www.congress.org/news/communicating-with-congress/
Where you can send an email or letter to the President, Vice President and Senators and Representatives, which will be delivered. This is a free service also.

Ask President Obama to use an Executive Order to create the Cold War Service Medal. Remind him
that he at least twice said that such a medal was deserved.

You can also visit your Senators and Representatives websites and send them an email there which
will get read.

Phone your officials offices and make your feelings know, ask to speak to who ever is in charge
of veterans affairs or military and defense. You can also send a fax to the office.

Or you can go to signor.org http://signon.org/sign/authorize-and-create and sign a petition to
authorize the Cold War Service Medal Act.

I just ask that you act now, there is not much time left in this session of Congress, and the two bills
will die a slow and painful death, sitting in the Armed Services Committees and we will again
be without recognition.

The Wall Street Journal published and excellent article on Veterans Day about Cold War Veterans.
Several other articles were written such as the one on Breibart.com which called the President to task
Disgrace-Barack-Obama-Broke-Promise-to-Honor-Cold-War-Veterans and many others.

We do understand the current fiscal problems facing our nation, and we know that the Department
of Defense (DoD) has objected to the medal. The DoD cost of $440 million is completely out
of line, the Congressional Budget Office costed the medal at about $30 million over a six year
span; with the start up costs being in the $1 million range.

The cost could become a non-factor as many veterans would be willing to purchase their own medal
from a private vendor, we would suggest Foxfall Medals since their version was designed by
Nadine Russell, the Chief of Creative Heraldry at the Army's Institute of Heraldry.

Do no let the Cold War Veterans be forgotten any longer, we are a vanishing breed; and soon it
will be too late to recognize and honor those of waged "America's Longest War", even though
it was not an officially declared war. Many died defending our country in missions that even
today are still classified Top Secret.

Their stories will probably never be told, as we carry our secrets to our graves. Ignored, dismissed,
disregarded and forgotten, pushed into the dustbin of history.

It did happen, it was a war, as several presidents declared; and we won!



---- Jerald Terwilliger Former 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

Another $535 Million Down the Drain-Thank You Pres. Obama

President Obama as part of his green jobs initiative pushed hard for a company that was
already in financial trouble.

His pet project for solar power was the company Solyndra, to provide photovoltaic cells for
solar power systems sold to clients and North American and Europe.

Solyndra was given a 535 million dollar loan from the government, made by the Energy
Department, and authorized by the Treasury Department's Federal Financing Bank. This
loan was made despite warnings that the Solyndra was having solvency problems.

The company has since let go all 1,100 employees, closed the doors and filed for Chapter 11
Bankruptcy.

Congressional leaders have complained that they were misled about Solyndra's precarious
financial position. Republicans in particular have criticized the Obama administration
for loaning taxpayer money to the failed company.

The House Energy and Commerce Committee will hold a hearing on Friday. The company has
hired so very high priced lawyers to assist them. CEO Brian Harrison and CFO
W.G. "Bill" Stover, Jr. have hired their own lawyers who are advising them to plead the
Fifth Amendment and refuse to answer questions.

There should be a full, thorough and complete investigation into this matter, with all findings
being made public. All questions should and must be answered.

And the fact that one of President Obama's biggest contributors is tied to Solyndra should
raise some serious questions.

But, then again it is ONLY 535 million dollars.

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

President Obama Misspeaks During Medal of Freedom Awards

It was during the presentation to President George H.W. Bush, that President Obama spoke the
words that every Cold War Veteran hates to hear.

President Obama credited President Bush with ending the Cold War "without a shot being fired."
The very words we have been fighting since the 1991 collapse of the Soviet Union, and the end
of the Cold War.

We all know shots were fired, our planes were shot from the sky by communist forces, our ships
were attacked, ground troops were shot at. Many lives were lost during the Cold War, the VFW
places the count at over 380, but many more were lost in secret operations.

We can not allow this flawed thinking to continue, America must remember! Does no one think
that Korea, Vietnam, Haiti, Dominican Republic, Lebanon and so many other clashes were not
a part of the Cold War?

This year marks the 20th anniversary of the end of the Cold War, our nation must pay respect
and honor to all those who endured the harsh and arduous conditions in the battle to contain
communism. From Sept. 1945 to Dec. 1991 these men and women stood ready and waiting;
and hoping that nuclear war did not break out.

From ships at sea, submarines under the sea, troops on the ground around the world
SAC planes in the air, those standing in place in missile silos; no matter where, no matter
when, no matter which uniform they wore; they were heroes all. Each and everyone should
be thanked, recognized, honored, and respected.

We must not forget! We can not forget! We must say to those who try to re-write history NO!
It was a war and WE WON!

Please contact your elected officials in Washington, tell them to make this a special year. Tell
them that this must be the year to authorize and issue a Cold War Victory/Service Medal.

Do not allow those who sacrificed their lives continue to be ignored. Do not consider those
who gave of their time to protect our country as "just showing up", it was more than "just
a job" to us; it was a fight for right and freedom.

President Obama, please correct this mistake. Will you do honor to the Cold War Veterans
and by Executive Order create a medal to finally give us a place in history?

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

U.S., China Affirm Military Ties During Hu Visit To Washington

By Carol L. Bowers
American Forces Press Service

Hu is paying a state visit to the United States Jan. 18 to 21, and the statement came on the second day of his trip, which included meetings with Obama and a joint press conference.

"Both sides agreed on the need for enhanced and substantive dialogue and communication at all levels: to reduce misunderstanding, misperception, and miscalculation; to foster greater understanding and expand mutual interest; and to promote the healthy, stable, and reliable development of the military-to-military relationship," Obama and Hu said in their statement.

U.S. Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates recently met with Hu in China during a recent tour of East Asia to discuss security issues. Gates attended Hu's arrival ceremony today.

Obama and Hu termed Gates' visit to China "successful" and noted the United States will in turn welcome the Chief of the People's Liberation Army General Staff Gen. Chen Bingde to the United States in the first half of 2011.

In the joint statement, the two sides also reaffirmed that the Defense Consultative Talks, the Defense Policy Coordination Talks, and the Military Maritime Consultative Agreement will remain important channels of communication in the future. Both sides will work to execute the seven priority areas for developing military-to-military relations as agreed to by Gates and Gen. Xu Caihou, vice chairman of the Central Military Commission in October 2009.

During the joint press conference today, Obama said he also has conveyed to the Chinese president "that that we appreciated China's role in reducing tensions on the Korean Peninsula, and we agreed that North Korea must avoid further provocations."

"I also said that North Korea's nuclear and ballistic missile program is increasingly a direct threat to the security of the United States and our allies," Obama added. " We agreed that the paramount goal must be complete denuclearization of the peninsula. In that regard, the international community must continue to state clearly that North Korea's uranium enrichment program is in violation of North Korea's commitments and international obligations."

Discussions between Obama and Hu also included other global security issues.

"With respect to global security, I'm pleased that we're moving ahead with President Hu's commitment at last year's Nuclear Security Summit for China to establish a center of excellence, which will help secure the world's vulnerable nuclear materials," Obama said during the press conference.

"To prevent the spread of nuclear weapons, we agreed that Iran must uphold its international obligations and that the U.N. Security Council sanctions on Iran must be fully enforced." 
 

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

President Obama at West Point Speech

Last Saturday President Obama spoke at the commencement ceremony at West Point.
During his speech the President touched on many subjects concerning the military and
its role in the world.

He made a very brief comment about the Cold War, stating that we won. That in itself was
good to hear, at least he acknowledged in part what we as Cold Warriors faced.

But near the end of his speech he made a statement that rubbed a sore spot that all Cold War Veterans have had to endure for too long.

His statement that the Berlin Wall fell "without a shot being fired", while technically
true; no shots were fired as the wall fell. But it also seemed to imply that the Cold War
was without incident, a fact that we all know is far from the truth.

Shots were exchanged during the Cold War: Korea, Vietnam, Lebanon, Granada, Panama Canal, Haiti, the Congo and other "hot spots". Our planes were shot down by Communist forces.

Who can forget the USS Liberty, the USS Pueblo(still held captive by North Korea), USS Scorpion(sank with all hands aboard under still mysterious circumstances).

There were many incidents to disprove that line of thinking. Lives were lost, we
faced a brutal enemy, and to say no shot were fired is like an insult to those who
gave their lives to protect freedom, and the American way of life.

President Obama, as Senator Obama, at least two times said that A Cold War Victory
Medal is deserved, and that he would consider signing legislation.

Now we ask you Mr. President, will you authorize a Cold War Medal by executive order?
You can do it. Do not forget your promise, and do not neglect Cold War Veterans.

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

When Will Cold War Veterans be Remembered

Another Veterans Day has passed, parades, pomp and circumstance; all across American
our nation paid homage to veterans of WWI, WWII, Korea, Vietnam, Iraq, Afghanistan and other heroes.

One noted exception: No One thinks about the Cold War Veterans Those who stood nose to nose with the Soviets. The brave men and women who lost their lives preserving freedom once again failed to be recognized.

Yes a lot has been written lately, public officials may mention it in passing but it is soon forgotten again.

Even our Commander-in Chief, President Obama has stated publicly of his "supposed support".
In an email to a Cold War Veteran President Obama said
I agree that the Cold War Victory medal would be an appropriate honor. The Cold War was a period that required both skilled diplomacy and military readiness. For veterans who had to be prepared to fight a war that most people agreed would be catastrophic, there certainly should be some recognition of service and willingness to defend and go to battle for the United States.
In each of the past two years, the Cold War Victory Medal has passed the House as part of its version of the annual defense authorization bill but has been stymied by influential members of the Senate Armed Services Committee. I certainly share your hope that this impasse can be broken soon.

Sincerely,
Barack Obama
United States Senator

On 01-08-08 President Obama stated "As president, he would sign legislation creating a cold war medal."

Would an Executive Order be appropriate? Can our President remember his statements? Or was it all just more, tell them what they want and then forget them?

Now that S.2743 The Cold War Medal Act 2009 has been introduced in the Senate; and H.R. 4051 The Cold War Medal Act 2009 a sister bill introduced in the House possibly he will have a chance to keep his word.

Also in the House of Representatives are two other bills that will recognize and honor Cold War veterans: H.CON.RES 207 Expressing the sense of the Congress regarding the victory of the United States in The Cold War and the Fall of the Berlin Wall.
And H.RES.900 which would designate May 1 as Cold War Veterans Recognition Day. This has been another of our long-term goals. Several states have designated May 1 as Cold War Victory Day, to have a national day of recognition would be a great honor for veterans.

Please contact you Senators and Representatives in Congress ask them to become cosponsors of these three bills.

At last as a country let us say Thank You to all Cold War Veterans.

Jerald Terwilliger
National Chairman
American Cold War Veterans

President Obama Signs Veterans Health Bill

President Obama today signed into law The Veterans Health Care, Budget Reform and Transparency Act of 2009. This legislation contained something the Veterans Administration and several Veterans Service Organizations had long asked for secure and advanced budget appropriations for the VA Health Care.

This is a momentous day for our countries veterans and the Veterans Affairs, but more importantly for our nations veterans. In the last 23 years, 20 times the VA had to wait for
budget approval, thus creating delays and hardships for veterans receiving health care from the
VA.

The VA will now be funded a year in advance and will be able to more carefully plan how to use
the funds. No longer will the VA have to wait and wonder and worry. This advanced knowledge
will help eliminate problems in providing the high quality care that the VA provides to our veterans who so richly deserve

As President Obama signed the bill which was observed by Secretary of Veterans Affairs
Eric K. Shineseki, members of Congress who played key roles in the passage of the legislation.
Also in attendance were representatives of the American Legion and several other VSO's.
The President made brief comments saying this was a promise fulfilled.

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

New Aruguments for Cold War Service Medal

While the last few years have seen bills introduced in both houses of Congress to authorize a
Cold War Service/Victory Medal, we have yet to achieve our goal. There are many reasons, and
we have heard them all. "No shots were fired", "No lives were lost" etc.
Here I have listed several arguments why a Cold War Medal should be issued.

Please feel free to use this in contact with your elected officials, letters to the editor, radio and tv
stations, other websites you might visit.

Send a copy to the Department of Defense, Under Secretary of Defense for Military Policy
Military and Personnel Awards.

Keep up the fire, we must keep our name out in front. Also make mention of the fact that the Department of Defense recently conducted a poll and the number one question was Sec.Gares
do you favor and will you issue a Cold War Medal this year. Also tell them that President Obama stated he was in favor of a Cold War Victory Medal.


Arguments for a Cold War Service Medal:

1. No Campaign Medal exists to recognize the dedicated participation of these service members who "Stood Watch" in the cause of promoting world Peace and stability, and who also participated in hundreds of military exercises and operations that occurred between the start of the Cold War on 02 September 1945 and the end of the Cold War on 26 December 1991.
a) Although there have been some instances where a medal or ribbon such as Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, KDSM, Vietnam Service Medal have been issued; the vast majority of veterans did not receive any medal.
b) Service members stood on the line in the Fulda Gap, facing a force ten times their size. They did this knowing that they
were present only to "slow down" the Soviets.
c) Missile silos, ships and submarines SAC planes were all armed and ready 24/7

2. Millions of Cold War Veterans prevented communist world domination and nuclear war, and it is fitting that these service members who served Honorably during this era receive proper governmental recognition for their efforts in the form of the timely award of the Cold War Service Medal.
a) Another reason many Cold War Veterans received no awards was due to so called "early discharge", at the discretion
of the Secretary of Defense, as reduction in force. This means they did not even receive a Good Conduct Medal.
b_ Many of our allies have either issued a Cold War Medal or are in the process of debating and issuing a medal.
c) Since 1991 several medals and ribbons have been issued: Overseas Service, Sea Service and others, which our Cold War
Veterans were not eligible to receive; having been released from duty prior to that date.

3.During this period, thousands of these service members were killed, wounded, and became missing in Cold War overseas operations, which were separate and distinct from other recognized wars such as the Korean War and the Vietnam War. In addition many were exposed to chemicals, atomic radiation, and other substances that created health problems; without the
service members knowledge.
a) Although the VFW reports approximately 380 deaths in the Cold War, there were in fact many more that were reported as
"operator error", "training accidents"; which were in fact due to hostile actions.
b) These incidents made the "morning report", but not the morning newspaper
c) Veterans exposed to Atomic Radiation are just now being recognized for their valor, and dangers they faced.
d) Many service members were treated with serums untested and not approved by FDA. Service members used as
human guinea pigs, nothing was explained as to possible risks, and they were unable to refuse these treatments.
e) Korea, Vietnam, Beirut, Granada, the Congo, Hati, Dominican Republic were all part of the Cold War

4.The United States Government has not properly recognized the dedicated service of these Veterans who sacrificed so much, with many of their actions and activities shrouded in secrecy to this day, more than seventeen years removed, so that they receive and maintain no identity as Cold War era Veterans.
a) The National Defense Service Medal, which today is issued to recruits when basic training is completed, is another example.
Prior to 9/11 2001 this medal was only issued in specific time periods. Once again many veterans due to the period of their
service missed this medal.
b) The Global War on Terrorism and Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary were also issued after the fact for our veterans.
c) The Armed Forces Service Medal was issued in 1996, it was not made retroactive, thus we missed again.
d) Many service member received "early discharge", at the discretion of the Secretary of Defense, as "reduction in forces".

5. The award of the Cold War Service Medal to these Veterans by the United States Congress, via the Secretary of Defense, is supported by the American Cold War Veterans, and supported via resolution by the Veterans of Foreign Wars, AMVETS, the Air Force Sergeants Association, the Naval Reserve Association, the State Guard Association of the United States, and other Veterans organizations.
a) These VSO's support the Cold War Service Medal as an honor that is just and due.
b) Said VSO's are also fighting loss of membership and see this medal as a possible means to increase membership.

6. Advocates For Cold War Veterans' Honor, feels that concerned People who support the award of the Cold War Service Medal to these service members, that they begin to heal the wounds of Cold War Veterans, their families and friends affected by that, and that they bring Honor back unto their loved ones, themselves and their country.
a) Our veterans have waited for too long to be recognized and remembered.
b) 2009 marks the 20th anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall, and the 17th anniversary of the demise of the Soviet
Union, and thus the end of the Cold War.
c) That makes this year as celebrations around the world take note of the fall of the Berlin Wall a most opportunistic time
to remember and honor our veterans, too long forgotten, a Cold War Medal.

Jerald Terwilliger
National Chairman
American Cold War Veterans

Ask President Obama

This Sunday George Stephanopolous will be interviewing President Obama. The ABC website
has a link that you can use to send a question to ask the President. This is another chance to
get the American Cold War Veterans, Inc and our quest for a Cold War Service/Victory Medal
some national attention.

Here is the link to the ABC website
http://abcnews.go.com/ThisWeek/question-president-barack-obama-email-george-stephanopoulos/story?id=8578184

I asked the following question:

Mr. President:

This year marks the 20th anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall, and the 17th anniversary
of the end of the Soviet Union, and thus the Cold War.

During the election campaign you twice stated you thought a Cold War Victory Medal was something you supported. Will you this year issue an Executive Order to establish and have
issued a Cold War Victory (or Service) Medal to all those who served honorably from Sept. 1945
to Dec. 1991?

Thank you,

Jerald Terwilliger, Chairman
American Cold War Veterans, Inc

Do You Have A Question for President Obama?

Chuck Todd at MSNBC is requesting questions to ask President Obama next Tuesday on
The Rachel Maddox show.
So just ask: Mr. President do you plan to follow through on your campaign promise to issue
a Cold War Victory Medal?

You will have to log into NBC Newsvine in order to ask the question. It is free and easy. Go here
http://chucktodd.newsvine.com/_news/2009/03/17/2558100-newsvine-q-a-chuck-todd-on-us-politics?threadId=530245&commentId=6126789#c6126789

Jerald Terwilliger
Vice Chairman
American Cold War Veterans,