American Cold War Veterans and Victims of Communism

We will be holding a joint ceremony to honor all Victims of Communism, and all American Veterans of the Cold War on June 14.



---- Jerald Terwilliger Chairman Emeritus 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 Cold War Veteran On A Mission

A Navy Veteran from Dixon, CA is in our battle to have Cold War
Veterans recognized. He has made it his quest to ensure that all Cold Warriors receive what they deserve.

He feels he is alone in this, but he is not, our organization American Cold War Veterans have been trying for 15 years or
more to convince Congress to authorize and DoD to issue a Cold War Service Medal.

This year the bill in the House of Representatives H.R. 1419
The Cold War Service Medal Act 2017 is the latest attempt to
reach this goal.

Please ask your Representative to cosponsor this bill and vote for passage. Ask all your family and friends to do the same. Also ask
both of your Senators to introduce a companion bill in the Senate.
From Another Veteran Trying For Cold War Recognition

---- Jerald Terwilliger Chairman Emeritus 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 Act 2015

On April 28, 2015 Congressman Steve Israel (D-NY3), and Congressman David Jolly(R-FL13)
introduced a new bill H.R. 2067 The Cold War Service Medal Act 2015.

This bill was introduced with 7 cosponsors, and has been sent to the House Armed Services Committee.

The Cold War was waged for more than 45 years as the United States and our allies combated
the spread of Communism, from 1945 through 1991.

There were many lives lost in this decades long battle. Despite the common misconception that
"Not a shot was fired", our planes were shot down from the sky by Communist forces, our ships
were attacked and damaged, troops on the ground were attacked and killed and or wounded

Korea, Vietnam, the Congo, Lebanon, Granada, Panama, Dominican Republic and many other
"hot spots" were all a part of the Cold War.

Many members of the Armed Forces were placed in dangerous and difficult situations on a daily
basis; often during missions that even today remain classified, and we were not; and still not
allowed to speak of what we did to family or friends.

Now, more than 25 years since the downfall of the Soviet Union and the end of the Cold War;
we should finally bestow on our veterans the thanks of a grateful nation. It is time to offer these
veterans the respect and honor they so deserve.

Contact your Congressman/Congresswoman urging them to become a cosponsor to H.R. 2067
and demand the bill be brought to the full floor for a vote, and vote for passage.

Please also contact your Senator asking them to introduce a similar bill in the Senate immediately,
let us not wait another year, do it now.


No longer allow our Cold Warriors to be a forgotten and dismissed generation of veterans.



---- 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

Small Town USA -Dawson/Lower Tyrone, PA Honors Cold War Veterans

The Dawson/Lower Tyrone Honor Roll Committee has been waiting almost three years to make this 
announcement:
 The new monument honoring veterans of the Korean, Vietnam and Cold war eras is in place and will
 be dedicated at 11 a.m. Aug. 31. The monument is covered and will be unveiled at a ceremony to include the 
Fayette Vietnam Veteran's Honor Guard, Rolling Thunder, a community chorus and guest speakers.

The keynote address will be given by Maj. Gen. Robert French, a career serviceman, a veteran on the 

Honor Roll  and a Dawson, R.D. 1 native, who has had a long and distinguished career beginning with the

 Vietnam  conflict and remains active in military affairs today.

The Honor Roll Committee is still raising funds to complete the monument project. A ticket is 

being sold which has a jackpot and a bonus winner. The winner will be from the 7 p.m. 

drawing on Aug. 31. 

The tickets are available for $2 each and are available from any committee member. 

Dedication program booklets are also being printed and will be available at the dedication. 

The books will sell for approximately 

$8 and contain the agenda, pictures, history of the project, memorials, listing of contributors and
ads from many local businesses.

The committee wishes to thank the many folks who have assisted in bringing this project to fruition.
This has been and is, a totally community based project. But the heroes of the effort have names
that are emblazoned in bronze on a beautiful monument that will be uncovered on Aug. 31.
This is your community's way of saying in some small way, “Thank you for your service
and sacrifice!
 May God bless!” The public is invited to join in the festivities.

-------

I have to say that this is an outstanding achievement for a small borough in southwestern 

Pennsylvania. In the 2000 census Dawson consisted

of 451 people, 183 households and 120 families in .2 square miles. Lower Tyrone Township has an 

area of 16.1 square miles with population of 1,171 people.

Once again, a small borough/township have stepped up to honor Cold War Veterans, which is more

than can be said for national recognition for the Cold Warriors who contained communism and kept the 

world free.

 Please contact your elected officials in Washington, DC ask them why Cold War Veterans

continue to be ignored and dismissed. 

If small towns, cities, counties and even some states can stand tall and remember those who served

why is it so hard for our country as a whole to say Thank You.

---- 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

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New Jersey Cold War Medal Followup

I received information today that the New Jersey Legislature is still considering two bills that will authorize

a Cold War Medal.

In the Assembly is bill number A3828 and in the Senate is a mirror bill S2589. Both bills is currently sitting in

the Budget and Appropriations committees of both the Assembly and the Senate. The Assembly bill is also

in the Military and Veterans Affairs Committee.

I urge everyone who lives in New Jersey to contact their State Senators and Assembly persons and ask them

to cosponsor and forward the bills.

Or contact the chairpersons of the Military and Veterans Affairs Committees: in the Senate: Senator James Beach,

in the Assembly: Assemblywoman Cleopatra Tucker.

If we can add another state that will issue a Cold War Medal it just might help in our national push for recognition,

and a medal issued by the federal government.

One thing about the New Jersey bill, it would be for anyone who is living in New Jersey, or lived in New Jersey

at the beginning of the time of service. It would not be limited (at least at this time) to the guard or reserves.

This could be a big step in the process and a push in the correct direction. If we continue to attract attention

and garner local and state backing and support we just might be able to convince Congress and DoD that

the time has come to standby our veterans and finally say Thank You For Your Service

---- 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

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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

Veterans Memorial In Danger

Another Veterans Memorial is in danger and facing possible court action. Might it have to moved?

This time it is a tribute to WWI veterans who gave their lives for our country. The memorial is
facing the same old problems that have beset other memorials. Some people just do not like
it and are attempting to have it removed, citing separation of church and state.

In Blandensburg, Maryland the  forty foot tall Memorial Peace Cross is a well know landmark that has 

stood for over 85 years.

The monument honors 49 men from Prince George's County that lost their lives in WWI, the cross

was dedicated July 13, 1925 by Snyder-Farmer Post of the American Legion.

The Cross sits at the intersection of Baltimore Avenue and Annapolis Road, which places it on state

property. 

A group based in Washington,  The American Humanist Association, wants to have the memorial

removed. Claiming a religious image on public land violates the principle of separation of church

and state under the constitution. 

Veterans organizations and some civic groups are fighting to keep the Memorial standing where it

is. The local park and planning commission is researching the legal issues.

The Cross has a large gold star in the middle, around the base are the words Valor, Endurance, Courage,

Devotion. Also are inscribe the names of the 49 Heroes. A bronze tablet contains the famous quote

by Woodrow Wilson: "The right is more precious than peace. We shall fight for the things we always

carried nearest our hearts. To such a task we dedicate our lives."

Standing tall in memory, it is close to the WWI, WWII, Korean and Vietnam memorials and the heart

of our nation. 

So it continues, the attack on our veterans, our heroes and our memories. We can not just sit by

and watch as more freedoms are take away.

Wake up America before it is too late

---- 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

Congress Limits Protest At Military Funerals

As part of "The Honoring America's Veterans and Caring for Camp Lejeune Families Act of 2012"
which passed Congress and is now headed to President Obama's desk, is a section to limit protests
at Military Funerals.

Demonstrators will now no longer be allowed to picket two hours before or 2 hours following a
military funeral service. The bill also says that protesters must remain at least 300 feet away
from grieving family members.

Thanks to Maine Republican Senator Olympia Snowe who introduced this part of the legislation
at the urging of a teenage constituent, in response to a Supreme Court case in 2011 that said
the protests were protected by the First Amendment.

This will severely limit actions by the Westboro Baptist Church in their protests at military
funerals. The Church's disruptive and insensitive actions  often suggest that U.S. Armed Forces
have been killed as part of God's vengeance for tolerance of gay and lesbian in our country.

As a response to the court ruling and the continued presence of the protesters many have held
counter-protest demonstrations in an effort to block to protesters, often forming a human
barrier to keep the Westboro Baptist Church members at a distance from the military funeral.

Our Armed Forces have fought long and hard to allow the freedom to protest, the members of
this Church should be thankful and respectful enough to allow the freedom of a peaceful and
dignified final laying to rest of those who have given their all to our country.

Respect for the families grieving the loss of their loved ones should never be allowed to be minimized,
or interfered with in any manner by any person or group.

---- 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

VA Pledges $100 Million To Help Homeless Veterans

WASHINGTON, Jul 17, 2012 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- Secretary of Veterans Affairs Eric K. Shinseki announced today the award of nearly $100 million in grants that will help approximately 42,000 homeless and at-risk Veterans and their families. The grants are going to 151 community agencies in 49 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico.

"We are committed to ending Veteran homelessness in America," said Shinseki. "These grants will help VA and community organizations reach out and prevent at-risk Veterans from losing their homes."

Under the Supportive Services for Veteran Families program, VA is awarding grants to private non-profit organizations and consumer cooperatives that provide services to very low-income Veteran families living in -- or transitioning to -- permanent housing. Those community organizations provide a range of services that promote housing stability among eligible very low income Veteran families.

Under the grants, homeless providers will offer Veterans and their family members outreach, case management, assistance in obtaining VA benefits and assistance in getting other public benefits. Community-based groups can offer temporary financial assistance on behalf of Veterans for rent payments, utility payments, security deposits and moving costs.

This is the program's second year. Last year, VA provided about $60 million to assist 22,000 Veterans and family members.

In 2009, President Obama and Secretary Shinseki announced the federal government's goal to end Veteran homelessness by 2015. The grants are intended to help accomplish that goal. According to the 2011 Annual Homelessness Assessment Report to Congress, homelessness among Veterans has declined 12 percent since January 2010.

Through the homeless Veterans initiative, VA committed $800 million in FY 2011 to strengthen programs that prevent and end homelessness among Veterans. VA provides a range of services to homeless Veterans, including health care, housing, job training, and education.

More information about VA's homeless programs is available on the Internet at www.va.gov/homeless . Details about the Supportive Services for Veteran Families program are online at www.va.gov/homeless/ssvf.asp .

SOURCE: U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs

        
        U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs 
        Office of Public Affairs 
        Media Relations 
        202-461-7600
        

---- Jerald Terwilliger Past 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

Authorize and create a Cold War Service Medal

I have created another petition to authorize a Cold War Service Medal. Please use the link below to sign

this petition to recognize and honor our veterans

Cold War Veterans like myself have been denied recognition, respect, and remembrance for too long.

It is past time for our country to say Thank You with a simple

Cold War Service Medal. We should no longer be ignored.

That's why I created a petition to The United States House of Representatives, The United States Senate, and President Barack Obama, which says:

"Millions of veterans served during the Cold War and never received recognition or any type of award.

Tell Congress to pass S.402, and H.R. 1968 The Cold War Service Medal Act of 2011.

Tell President Obama to remember his pledge to honor Cold War Veterans, use an Executive Order to create this medal."

Will you sign this petition? Click here:

http://signon.org/sign/authorize-and-create?source=c.em.cp&r_by=4159666

Thanks!

---- 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

AMVETS seeking Cold War Veterans

Amvets is seeking Cold War Veterans to join. They are actively asking for us, at least in Virginia
they are making a push for our support; wanting us to become part of their organization.

American Veterans (AMVETS) is asking Cold War veterans to step out of the shadows and make their voices heard through the establishment of an AMVETS Posts in Chatham.


There are nearly six million ‘peacetime' veterans, those who served during the Cold War but not during ‘hot wars' and about 200,000 of those live in Virginia. Most are unaffiliated with any veteran organization. AMVETS does not discriminate based on place or period of performance.

"Honorable service equals eligibility" says Virginia AMVETS Public Relations Officer Greg Eanes. "It's time for our Cold War veterans to affiliate as veterans. They served and their service is worthy of recognition. We won the Cold War - the Iron Curtain fell twenty years ago and now an entire generation in Eastern Europe has grown up experiencing economic, political and social freedoms that weren't available to their parents. Our American Cold War veterans can take great pride knowing their services between 1945 and 1991 helped make it happen."

Eanes said, "Affiliation with AMVETS provides a venue for supporting veterans, widows, orphans and active military, providing community services and the camaraderie of fellow vets." Only ten members are needed to start an AMVETS Post and they can meet anywhere; private homes, churches or be hosted by other veterans organizations. Pittsylvania has over 5,000 veterans according to Veterans Administration statistics.

AMVETS was founded by World War II veterans who wanted their own organization. Eligibility was amended to include all veterans who served honorably. Eanes said, "Some of us got called to serve during wartime, others got called go overseas, others served during periods of relative peace making them ineligible for other veteran groups. From an AMVETS perspective, all that matters is that we signed the same contract and served honorably. All are veterans."

Individuals wishing to learn more about AMVETS can visit the national website at www.amvets.org. Individuals wishing to start an AMVETS Post can contact Virginia AMVETS First vice Commander Bruce Brown (blbrown555@wildblue.net) or 804-334-4352.

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