Jerald Terwilliger
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1#
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Rank:none
Score:582
Posts:582
From: USA 
Registered:11/29/2006
Time spent: 17408 hours
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RE:Status on Senator Snowe's Cold War Medal bill?
(Date Posted:10/06/2009 00:03:08)
As of 10/2 when talking to her National Security Adviser, Senator Snowe is still planning to introduce a bill in the near future.
Once we have a bill number it will be time to lock and load, fire at all senators to be cosponsors.
Jerry
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Illegitimi Non Carborundum
US Navy 1960-1970
-./--.-/-.-./.
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rodevito
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2#
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Registered:08/12/2005
Time spent: 0 hours
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Re:Status on Senator Snowe's Cold War Medal bill?
(Date Posted:10/06/2009 17:51:09)
The only problem we might have all over again is dealing with the DoD.
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bELKNAP
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3#
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From: USA
Registered:03/26/2009
Time spent: 0 hours
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RE:Status on Senator Snowe's Cold War Medal bill?
(Date Posted:10/07/2009 05:45:10)
I think it would be a good idea if when the bill is introduced, and when we write our respective representatives to support, that we might include in our letters these casualty lists that Jerald T. has compiled, those medal petitions, or links to them, and some brief chronology of incidents and locations where the cold war was fought, i.e. U.S. and worldwide missle sites, Atlantic, Pacific, Guam, Phillipines, Congo. El Salvador, Cuba, Guatemala, Germany, Korea, Arctic, Grenada, Vietnam, SAC, counterintelligence, Berlin, Dominican Republic, Greece, Iron Curtain, Taiwan, Indonesia, Lebanon, etc, etc, etc. It truly was a worldwide, decades long twilight war.
bELKNAP
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JIM WELLER
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4#
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Rank:none
Status:Still Serving
Score:388
Posts:388
From: USA
Registered:05/19/2008
Time spent: 13245 hours
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RE:Status on Senator Snowe's Cold War Medal bill?
(Date Posted:10/07/2009 16:06:46)
If Snowe had the COLD WAR SERVICE MEDAL as a big priority, she could make it an attachment to one of the bills she swing votes on. The Democrats look to her a lot as a swing vote. She truly has more power than she exercises.
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Pennsylvania Keystone State Director ACWV
"History does not entrust the care of freedom to the weak or timid." --Dwight D. Eisenhower
"PEACE THROUGH STRENGTH !!"
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USMC_Kinda_Guy
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5#
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Rank:none
Score:156
Posts:156
Registered:01/15/2007
Time spent: 0 hours
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Re:Status on Senator Snowe's Cold War Medal bill?
(Date Posted:10/11/2009 07:11:00)
Jerry,
Thanks for the update buddy; it will make pestering our Reps a heckuva lot easier once we have a bill number to reference (heh).
USMC_Kinda_Guy
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Jerald Terwilliger
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6#
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Rank:none
Score:582
Posts:582
From: USA
Registered:11/29/2006
Time spent: 17408 hours
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RE:Status on Senator Snowe's Cold War Medal bill?
(Date Posted:10/13/2009 12:39:01)
I just got off the phone with Senator Snowe's National Security Advisor. He told me Senator Snowe is still
looking at the bill, but is very focused on the Health Bill now.
I ask that all Maine members contact Senator Snowe urging her to issue the Cold War Service Medal bill as soon
as possible. WE must keep up the fire, let her know how important this medal is.
Her National Security Advisor is Joe Sixeas phone 1-202-224-5816 email joe_sixeas@snowe.senate.gov
And once again everyone please contact ALL you elected officials ask them to either introduce legislation (especially in House) to introduce legislation immediately.
Remind them this is the 20th anniversary of the Fall of the Berlin Wall, and 17th anniversary of the demise of
the Soviet Union, and the end of the Cold War. This is a perfect opportunity for the medal.
Let them know that our friends to the North in Canada are considering a medal right now.
Jerry
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Illegitimi Non Carborundum
US Navy 1960-1970
-./--.-/-.-./.
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DBMN
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7#
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From: USA
Registered:09/14/2009
Time spent: 0 hours
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RE:Status on Senator Snowe's Cold War Medal bill?
(Date Posted:10/13/2009 15:26:39)
Jerry
I don't mean to be rude here, but I fail to understand why you are wasting your time on Sen Snowe. First, you should realize after all these years how the Congressional process works and understand that a separate Cold War medal Bill will not go anywhere at all - regardless of who introduces it. How many have been introduced by Clinton and others over the years? Did any one of them go anywhere? (There just is not enough support in the leadership to get it through as a separate action). The only way there is any hope of getting a Cold War Medal through Congress is if both the House and Senate Authorization Bills have the Cold War Medal written into the text when they are first introduced. That means that the staffers like Sixeas (those are the folks that actually write these Bills (not the Senators and Reps)) have to work it and get it into both the House and Senate versions early on. If no one is willing to do that - it will not get through the system and a separate Bill just will not get considered.
Second, you have an incredible opportunity here to get this done with the SecDef - suggest you focus your efforts on Gates and his staff and don't squander this opportunity chasing Senators who are not capable of delivering.
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Jerald Terwilliger
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8#
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Rank:none
Score:582
Posts:582
From: USA
Registered:11/29/2006
Time spent: 17408 hours
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RE:Status on Senator Snowe's Cold War Medal bill?
(Date Posted:10/13/2009 22:14:46)
DBMN,
I understand what you are saying. I am not only working thru Sen. Snowe, there are a couple of other irons in the
fire.
Please see my last post on the thread Ask Sec. Gates. If you have any other suggestions please let us know.
I sometimes feel that I am the only one fighting this battle.
I do know that other members have in the past contacted their elected officials, and they often get no reply or
the canned "I will keep your ideas in mind". There is no doubt that other members are also working hard on
this. It just does not always show up here. There are some things happening in the shadows so to speak.
I see that some cities, counties and states are actually becoming more aware of the Cold War and what might
have been. There have been several memorials and monuments built to honor our veterans. Why is it so
hard for it to happen at a national level.
I sometimes feel like just giving up, and like I said I am battling this depression and my upcoming surgery, so I
am not giving my total attention to this.
So I ask all members to join in and do what you can. We can get this done if we all work hard and not take NO for
an answer.
Enough of the pity party, I know tomorrow will be another day(even if it is cold, just glad we missed the snow), and hope it will be better.
Thank you to everyone who is working on this, we all appreciate what has been done by you all.
Jerry
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Illegitimi Non Carborundum
US Navy 1960-1970
-./--.-/-.-./.
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bELKNAP
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9#
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From: USA
Registered:03/26/2009
Time spent: 0 hours
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Re:Status on Senator Snowe's Cold War Medal bill?
(Date Posted:10/14/2009 04:45:09)
Does anyone know if Rep Sestak still has an active interest in CW medal? I think he is a good voice for us, a fellow veteran, had previously voiced strong support before, and I think is making bid for US Senate. Possibly we all take another shot at lobbying all of our respective representatives....mentioning VSO support, overdue award, casualties, anniversary, etc.
bELKNAP
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jpeters
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10#
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Rank:none
Score:35
Posts:35
From: USA
Registered:07/24/2008
Time spent: 0 hours
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Re:Status on Senator Snowe's Cold War Medal bill?
(Date Posted:10/14/2009 06:03:00)
I contacted my reps about a year ago when I sent each of them an actual Cold War Medal from Foxfall Medals. I can tell they're getting tired of hearing from me. As usual I get the canned response or no response at all. If we can get a bill introduced by Sen. Snowe that would be awesome because then we can reference the actual bill number and ask our reps to co-sponsor.
Lately, most of my efforts have been directed at President Obama. I try to send one snail mail letter and one online message a month. I kind of feel like that character Andy Dufrane in the movie "Shawshank Redemption" when he keeps writing letters once a week to the state legislature to get an allocation of books for the prison library. "They can't ignore me forever"
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bELKNAP
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11#
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From: USA
Registered:03/26/2009
Time spent: 0 hours
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RE:Status on Senator Snowe's Cold War Medal bill?
(Date Posted:10/14/2009 06:42:10)
Hoping the upcoming 2010 congressional races might spur some increased interest in candidates....especially if they're made aware of other VSO's support. I also think Jewish War Veterans organization and Catholic War Veterans Association, (they're both a good size in that they have effective communication network) could help us if we asked their leadership directly if they would appeal to their membership for letter writing campaign.....or the big VSOs for that matter too.
bELKNAP
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LebanonGrenadaEraVet
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12#
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Registered:08/22/2005
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Re:Status on Senator Snowe's Cold War Medal bill?
(Date Posted:10/14/2009 09:18:08)
Great idea. Get the Catholic War Veterans to give a push on our cause. They hold some power. Maybe even get the Pope involved. (Seriously. The Catholic church has always prayed that the Soviet Union would conform and prevent a nuclear armogedon.).
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"Everybody's talkin 'bout the new kid in town but I don't wanna hear it".
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LebanonGrenadaEraVet
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13#
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Registered:08/22/2005
Time spent: 0 hours
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Re:Status on Senator Snowe's Cold War Medal bill?
(Date Posted:10/14/2009 09:19:26)
Can anyone out there find some email addresses or the Pope's address to put pressure via the Catholic War Veterans or something? That's real power there.
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"Everybody's talkin 'bout the new kid in town but I don't wanna hear it".
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Shuman 14
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14#
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Rank:none
Score:188
Posts:188
From: USA
Registered:12/17/2003
Time spent: 0 hours
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RE:Status on Senator Snowe's Cold War Medal bill?
(Date Posted:10/14/2009 11:25:34)
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Joseph J. Clune
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Jerald Terwilliger
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15#
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Rank:none
Score:582
Posts:582
From: USA
Registered:11/29/2006
Time spent: 17408 hours
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RE:Status on Senator Snowe's Cold War Medal bill?
(Date Posted:10/14/2009 13:36:52)
I was contacted today by Senator Snowe's office asking for reasons to issue the Cold War Medal. Here is my reply
In 1998, the United States Government recognized the
contribution of United States military service members' sacrifices
during the Cold War with a bland and impersonal recognition certificate
that had to be requested from the Department of Defense. This
certificate makes no mention of military service.
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.
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.
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 instances that
created health problems; without the
service members knowledge.
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.
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 Cold War Veterans Association, 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.
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:
now therefore
That per the Fiscal Year 2002 National
Defense Authorization Act, also known as the United States Senate Bill
S. 1438 (Enrolled), Section 556, Paragraph (2), this law states: "It is
the sense of Congress that the Secretary of Defense should consider
authorizing -- the issuance of a campaign medal, to be known as the
Cold War service Medal, to each person who, while a member of the Armed
Forces, served satisfactorily on active duty during the Cold War."
To date the Department of Defense has not seen it appropriate to issue such a medal. This medal would be a small way for
our country to say "Thank You for your service. You are not
forgotten." Our Veterans "Cold Warriors" deserve no less recognition.
The time has come and gone and the ranks of Cold War Veterans continue to diminish everyday. Let this be the year to issue
a Cold War Service Medal.
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Illegitimi Non Carborundum
US Navy 1960-1970
-./--.-/-.-./.
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jpeters
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16#
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Rank:none
Score:35
Posts:35
From: USA
Registered:07/24/2008
Time spent: 0 hours
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Re:Status on Senator Snowe's Cold War Medal bill?
(Date Posted:10/14/2009 14:25:51)
Well said Jerry!
I couldn't have said it better myself. John
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jim_811
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17#
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Rank:none
Status:Advanced Member
Score:31
Posts:31
From: USA
Registered:08/20/2009
Time spent: 1340 hours
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RE:Status on Senator Snowe's Cold War Medal bill?
(Date Posted:10/14/2009 14:30:20)
Jerry, I Thank You for this letter, it could not be stated better and I most assuredly Thank You for all you are doing for us.
jim811
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JIM WELLER
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18#
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Rank:none
Status:Still Serving
Score:388
Posts:388
From: USA
Registered:05/19/2008
Time spent: 13245 hours
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RE:Status on Senator Snowe's Cold War Medal bill?
(Date Posted:10/14/2009 16:55:08)
Sen. Snowe was declared as one of the most influential people in Washington in today's news. She is important to the Democrats because she swings into their camp a lot. She would have a huge influence on a Cold War Medal act being passed or attached to a larger bill. Keep working that angle, Jerry. For that matter, any way we can get on the radar will help our cause. If Sec. Gates says no, we need to make it a news worthy story in connection with the 20th Anniversary of the Fall of the Berlin Wall and call out the president on his support. Maybe we can fire up the other VSOs.
ps. Thanks Jerry for your work. God Bless.
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Pennsylvania Keystone State Director ACWV
"History does not entrust the care of freedom to the weak or timid." --Dwight D. Eisenhower
"PEACE THROUGH STRENGTH !!"
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DBMN
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19#
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From: USA
Registered:09/14/2009
Time spent: 0 hours
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RE:Status on Senator Snowe's Cold War Medal bill?
(Date Posted:10/14/2009 17:36:18)
I'll repeat what I said under the other link since it appears that it may not be obvious.
If Secy Gates responds to the question by stating that he does not support the CW Medal and gives all the standard DoD reasons for not supporting it - the Cold War Medal is DEAD (for at least the next 4-8 years - maybe permanently). It will not matter who introduces any bills in Congress - THEY WILL NOT GO ANYWHERE!!
(Just for the record - none of the many bills on the Cold War Medal have gone anywhere in the last 20 years - and that's without a formal position from the SecDef.) I'll repeat again for those who think letters to/from your Senators etc are going to do any good - the staffers write the legislation not the Senators and Congressmen/women. The staffers are the ones that need to be worked with to get things in the legislation.
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USMC_Kinda_Guy
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21#
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Rank:none
Score:156
Posts:156
Registered:01/15/2007
Time spent: 0 hours
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Re:Status on Senator Snowe's Cold War Medal bill?
(Date Posted:10/14/2009 20:43:49)
Do we still have any POCs over in Secretary Clinton's office (perhaps a staffer that she took along from her Senate staff over to her State Department staff)? Since the SECDEF and SECSTATE's staff interact on a regular basis, and since Secretary Clinton had introduced Cold War legislation on several occasions as a U.S. Senator, I'm hoping that she could simply send over one of her staff to brief - face to face - whomever has been tasked with compiling SECDEF's answers to the top 5 poll questions.
I agree with DBMN that it would be best to avoid having the SECDEF officially declare his (as opposed to Rumsfeld's) opposition to a Cold War Medal, which makes it critical that his staff officer whom has been tasked with writing the responses be briefed appropriately BEFORE he compiles the answers.
It might also be helpful to remind the SECDEF's staff that Senator Snowe - President Obama's favorite GOP Senator - is in the process of sponsoring Cold War medal legislation, so they ought to give that careful consideration when crafting their answer.
Anyhoo, just my thoughts on the matter.
USMC_Kinda_Guy
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DBMN
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22#
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From: USA
Registered:09/14/2009
Time spent: 0 hours
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RE:Status on Senator Snowe's Cold War Medal bill?
(Date Posted:10/14/2009 21:30:04)
Jerry
Something else that just occurred to me that might actually work. Since you and the ACWV don't have access to the SecDef - an opportunity to see just how much Sen Snowe supports the CW medal. Suggest you contact Joe Sixeas and explain the SecDef Top 5 Questions with the CW at the top and see if either he or even better Sen Snowe would be willing and able to contact both the UnderSec (P&R) and SecDef and explain the importance of the medal, why it is the right thing to do, and her support for it. That might be enough, particularly if they have some points to address and counter the DoD concerns. It really has to happen soon though.
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Jerald Terwilliger
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23#
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Rank:none
Score:582
Posts:582
From: USA
Registered:11/29/2006
Time spent: 17408 hours
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RE:Status on Senator Snowe's Cold War Medal bill?
(Date Posted:10/14/2009 22:28:55)
Here is my latest to Senator Snowe's office, and I sent same to Under Secretary of Defense Military Policy and Personal Awards.
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
My brain is fried and tired so if anyone would like to comment or use this in a letter to your elected officials, and/or DoD please feel free. You can change what you think necessary and appropriate. We all have to push on this and not stop. Letters to the editor of newspapers, magazines other website you visit.
Again Thank you to all those who are trying, every little bit helps. Keep our name out there.
Jerry
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Illegitimi Non Carborundum
US Navy 1960-1970
-./--.-/-.-./.
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USMC_Kinda_Guy
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24#
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Rank:none
Score:156
Posts:156
Registered:01/15/2007
Time spent: 0 hours
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Re:Status on Senator Snowe's Cold War Medal bill?
(Date Posted:10/15/2009 07:34:25)
Jerry,
Absolutely great letter buddy! Fabulous job, and kudos on your effort. The letter offers more details and specifics, and is thus more convincing.
As an aside, you might want to also send along a brief, preemptive addendum to the SECDEF folks and to Senator Snowe's office regarding the cost of issuing a Cold War Medal. It is critical that DoD's utterly discredited cost figure of some $250 million (?) over a 10-year period be corrected with the CBO's (the real budget professionals) estimate of around $30 million for the 10-year period. Though not critical, you might also note that the actual 10-year costs are more likely in the $10 million range, based on the participation rates of earlier vets for another medal - the KDSM - that had a 45-50 year retroactive period. The staffers need to know that the budget number that DoD typically trots out for the Cold War Medal are entirely bogus - an utter fabrication spun out of whole cloth.
(NOTE: I'll also posted these comments over in the other, stand-alone thread where you posted this letter).
USMC_Kinda_Guy
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Shuman 14
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25#
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Rank:none
Score:188
Posts:188
From: USA
Registered:12/17/2003
Time spent: 0 hours
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Reply To DBMN
(Date Posted:10/15/2009 12:53:14)
Reply to DBMN (10/14/2009 22:30:04)
Jerry
Something else that just occurred to me that might actually work. Since you and the ACWV don't have access to the SecDef - an opportunity to see just how much Sen Snowe supports the CW medal. Suggest you contact Joe Sixeas and explain the SecDef Top 5 Questions with the CW at the top and see if either he or even better Sen Snowe would be willing and able to contact both the UnderSec (P&R) and SecDef and explain the importance of the medal, why it is the right thing to do, and her support for it. That might be enough, particularly if they have some points to address and counter the DoD concerns. It really has to happen soon though. I concur! This would be an excellent use of our limited political hay and an easy do for Senator Snowe's office.
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Joseph J. Clune
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DBMN
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26#
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From: USA
Registered:09/14/2009
Time spent: 0 hours
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RE:Status on Senator Snowe's Cold War Medal bill?
(Date Posted:10/15/2009 14:50:58)
Jerry
The letter is fine. My only question is did you mail it or fax it. It needs to be FAXED to both the Under Secy (P&R) and the SecDef. Mail takes a month or more to get to the Pentagon and email from outside often does not get through the various filters.
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USMC_Kinda_Guy
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27#
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Rank:none
Score:156
Posts:156
Registered:01/15/2007
Time spent: 0 hours
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Re:Status on Senator Snowe's Cold War Medal bill?
(Date Posted:10/17/2009 20:18:23)
Jerry,
Any luck with contacting the POCs at the SECDEF and at the UnderSecretary (P&R) office with your talking-points letter? Was the esteemed Senator Snowe's office able to help in your efforts in this regard? You da man, Jerry! We appreciate all your efforts (especially so, given your state of health as of late).
USMC_Kinda_Guy
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Jerald Terwilliger
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28#
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Rank:none
Score:582
Posts:582
From: USA
Registered:11/29/2006
Time spent: 17408 hours
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RE:Status on Senator Snowe's Cold War Medal bill?
(Date Posted:10/20/2009 06:49:13)
Here is a question from Joe Sixeas Jerry,
a few questions:
1)
In
the prior email you note that “Many of our allies have either issued a Cold War
Medal or are in the process of debating and issuing a medal.” Which
allies have issued a Cold War Medal? What is the period of service for
medal eligibility for medals that have been issued by these allies?
2)
Please
elaborate on the following statement: 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.
3)
You
note that “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.’" How
many servicemembers casualties are attributed to Cold War beyond the 380 cited
by the VFW? What is the reference?
4)
Does
the American Legion support the Cold War medal? and,
5)
You
note below that “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.” If the fall of the Berlin
Wall in 1989 marks the end of the Cold War, why is the period of eligibility
for the medal through 1991?
anaand my reply
In reply to your questions I offer the following.
1. At the
present time Canada is considering a Cold War Medal for period Sept
1945 to Dec 1991. Holland is in the process of issuing a medal for the
same time period. Also being considered in several other European
nations.
The State of Louisiana has issued the Cold War Medal (from
Foxall Medals) to their Guard Units. Alaska has issued a Cold War
Ribbon (from Foxall) to their Guard units.
A little humor, Russia has also issued Cold War Medal, they considered it a victory!
All of these are for the same time period we are asking for.
2.
A Good Conduct Medal requires 4 years of service. Several times during
the years in downsizing the military, the Sec. of Defense has
authorized "reduction in force" to down size the military cutting time
from a service members enlistment. In my case my discharge date
would have been in June 1970 (end of second enlistment) but I was released in Feb 1970. Other service members may have
only served three years or a little less thus they were not eligible for a Good Conduct Medal.
3. If you would go to our message forum at http://americancoldwarvets.aimoo.com/ on the home page scroll down near the
bottom to the link Cold War Causalities I have some very large lists. There are also lists on my blog
http://jerry88acwv-americancoldwarveterans.blogspot.com/
USS
Scorpion sank with all hands(some still say our sub was attacked by
Russian sub) USS Liberty 38 Killed(attacked by Israeli, planes and
ships), USS Starke 28 Killed(attacked by Iraq), USS Pueblo attacked and
captured by North Korea. The Pueblo is
still a commissioned US Navy ship, still held by North Korea.
In fact the Korean War, Second Indochina(Vietnam), Beirut, Granada, Haiti, and other "hot spots" were all part of the Cold War.
4.
The American Legion, VFW, Retired Officers, Catholic War Vets, Amvets,
Korea Defense Vets, and other VSO's all support the Cold War Medal, and
have passed resolutions sent to Congress.
5. There are some that
view the fall of the Berlin Wall as the end of the Cold War, but in
fact most(including the US Government)
consider the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991 to be the actual end of the Cold War.
As
a further note, the State of Pennsylvania, The State of Maine both have
passed resolutions sent to Congress to ask Congress to authorize a Cold
War Victory Medal. The Legislature of the State of New York last year
passed a bill to provide a Cold War Medal (which unfortunately was
vetoed by the Governor), The State Legislature of New Jersey is also
considering a medal.
More and more states, counties, and cities are recognizing the Cold War with monuments and memorials.
It really is past time for our National Government to recognize, remember, and honor our veterans.
I hope these answer your questions. If you have any other comments or questions please feel free to contact me.
--------------------------------------------------------------
Illegitimi Non Carborundum
US Navy 1960-1970
-./--.-/-.-./.
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Shuman 14
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29#
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Rank:none
Score:188
Posts:188
From: USA
Registered:12/17/2003
Time spent: 0 hours
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Re:Status on Senator Snowe's Cold War Medal bill?
(Date Posted:10/20/2009 10:37:39)
I know the CWVA is no longer our "friend" but their home page has a list of all the States and lesser municipalities that have proclaimed May 1st as Cold War Victory Day going back to 2003. That info might help as well.
(Message edited by Shuman 14 On 10/20/2009 10:43:08)
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Joseph J. Clune
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bELKNAP
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30#
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From: USA
Registered:03/26/2009
Time spent: 0 hours
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RE:Status on Senator Snowe's Cold War Medal bill?
(Date Posted:10/20/2009 10:56:19)
Number of casualties is so important in this exchange, I think. Is there some comprehensive source of data on service members that died in service. I'm looking on Internet....nothing comprehensive yet (just piecemeal stuff). I remember a posting here that had the number of people that died in service for some period of years. I think if these people truly understood how many people died in the service of their country during this perios, aside from Vietnam and Korea, they would be shocked and possibly shocked into recognition action.
Jerald, thank you for all of this great work.
bELKNAP
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