Editor:

    It appears our city wants to forget about the Cold
War, “Our Longest War.” It was not a declared war, that is true, but
our military was armed and ready at all times to fight Communisim.

    Governor Baldacci has issued a proclamation
declaring May 1st as Cold War Victory Day 2007. At the present time
there is also a bill LD111 in the Maine State Legislature that would
make this a day of recognition every year.

    Two of our council members have decided that it is
not something to be considered. They claim that it might diminish what
our troops now engaged in the war in Irag, Iran Afghanistan are facing.

    That is not the wish of the Cold War Veterans
Association at all. We do not want to see anyone fighting a war in any
place in the world at any time.

    We feel the pain of the families that have lost
loved ones, those who have been injured and maimed. We have contacted
our national elected officials decrying the treatment of our wounded
veterans at places such as Walter Reed Hospital, other Veterans
Hospitals around the country. We gave our word to our military to help
them and give them proper medical care, which is not happening. Once
again America broke its word and promise.

    Does anyone remember our planes being shot down near
China and Korea? Our ships being attacked– USS Liberty, USS Puebelo,
USS Stark and USS Cole? What about two submarines that just vanished
into the deep? What about the Strategic Air Command with planes in the
air carrying nuclear warheads? Air Raid Drills, fallout shelters in
your backyard?

    Russian submarines carrying nuclear weapons
traversed both our coasts, coming with a few miles of our country. They
were tracked every mile of the way. Our subs many times passed within a
few feet of their subs, in fact there was a collision between one of
their subs and one of ours. Our troops were in the Fulda Gap in
Germany, facing Russian troops, on the DMZ in Korea. Of course we
cannot forget Viet Nam, the Congo, Dominican Republic, Haiti, the list
goes on and on.

    Many lives were lost, and many people injured during
this “time of peace,” but no one noticed. No one but the families of
loved ones, those who served and placed their lives on the line to keep
America Free. So I ask, since Governor Baldacci, the Maine Legislature
seem to think this is a well deserved recognition for the millions of
servicemen and servicewomen, should not our Fair City do the same?

Please contact your councilmember and ask them to reconsider and approve this, and make every May 1st Cold War Victory Day.

Jerald Terwilliger

Maine State Director, Cold War Veterans Assoc.

South Portland