Please Mr. President

Cowley home on Martha's Vinyard with a message for

President Obama

What You Can Do For Veterans' Day

In Germany in April of 1945, Edward Paul Cowley, Thomas Manthey and a company of soldiers of the 94th Infantry Division came upon a camp filled with suffering and dying prisoners, they stayed for a few hours and then were told to move on as medical help was arriving shortly. They came home from the war and rebuilt their lives as citizens. They silently suffered, each in their own way, with the memories of the horrors they had witnessed. They never looked for recognition as liberators.

These humble soldiers seemed unaware that it was their toil and progress that had freed the victims from their captures. During the war my father wrote home to his family as often as possible.These humble soldiers seemed unaware that it was their toil and progress that had freed the victims from their captures. During the war my father wrote home to his family as often as possible. My grandmother, Catherine Cowley cherished every letter, carefully cataloged them and held them in safekeeping. In one letter dated April 29th, 1945, my father wrote that he had witnessed the atrocities.

This letter started our pursuit of Liberator Status for the 94th Infantry Division. The National Holocaust Museum and the Center of Military History have recognized 35 U.S. Army divisions for their heroism, gallantry, and help in liberating prisoners from brutal Nazi rule. Each year, the names and flags of these units are presented in a moving tribute at the U.S. Capitol Rotunda for the Days of Remembrance ceremony. The Division flag of each Unit is also displayed in rotation at The National Holocaust Museum. Thanks to the efforts of Sen. Edward Kennedy and his fine staff we were able to collect the required documents and submitted a formal request for Liberator Status in Nov. 2007. Sadly the application was erroneously denied, as the camp liberated wasn't an "extermination camp".

Since then Senators Kennedy and Kerry continued to seek Liberator Status for the 94th Infantry Division.  Craig Crawford and Don Imus assisted in bringing national attention to this cause. Senator Kennedy was working on this until the week of his death. Sec. of the Army, Pete Geren was assisting the Senators. Unfortunately since Sen. Kennedy's death a new Sec. of the Army has been appointed and the request has fallen through the cracks. Time is precious for the Veterans of WWII- Over 1000 Vets die each day. President Obama could easily put history to rights by signing an Executive Order to grant the 94th Liberator Status.

Please honor these brave soldiers who sacrificed for our Country and the untold victims and their families of the Holocaust by signing the petition to President Obama to issue an Executive Order.  Then tell your friends to sign as well.

Progress Report

Buchenwald 1945

UPDATE ON MISSION
by Kathleen Cowley

Tristan Takos, the superb military liaison from Senator Kennedy's office called yesterday to let us know that they and Senator Kerry's office are drafting a joint letter to be sent to Secretary of Defense Robert Gates this Wednesday, May 13. She explained that they must follow protocol and contact him before approaching the President to request an Executive Order. Senators Kennedy and Kerry remain committed to gaining liberator status for the 94th Infantry as soon as possible with a goal of declaration by Memorial Day.

we hope the recognition of the 94th as a Liberating Unit will closely coincide with President Obama's upcoming visit to Buchenwald during the trip to France and Germany for the 65th anniversary of D-Day. It would be marvelously fitting for President Obama to honor the 94th Infantry Division as representative of all the liberators and the victims of the Holocaust prior to that trip. The fact that it is the 65th anniversary of D-Day points out just how crucial time is getting to be for the men of the 94th.

Our sincerest thanks to Senators Kennedy, Kerry, and your marvelous staffers for your dedication to the soldiers of the 94th Infantry Division and the untold victims of the Holocaust!

Dream Team

In an appearance on Imus in the morning, Senator John Kerry used the phrase "I'm on it!" for assisting with the Liberator Status for the 94th Infantry. Prior to his appearance, Craig Crawford of Congressional Quarterly laid out the whole campaign for Don Imus on the popular syndicated show.

Now Senator Kerry's office has contacted Kathleen Cowley. Senator Kerry is coordinating the next appropriate actions with Senator Kennedy's office. Once more is known it will appear here. Let us hope it is possible to make this happen before Memorial Day. Any and all encouragement and kind words to Senators Kerry and Kennedy would be deeply appreciated.

THANK YOU GENTLEMEN

Comments from Kathleen Cowley

Liberator status for Patton's Boston Regiment made it on the airways today thanks to one of the nation's finest political journalists, Craig Crawford. He came on air and immediately told Imus "I've got a cause for you!" and went on to explain the unjust treatment of the 94th. He ended with an enthusiastic shout "Liberator status for Patton's Boston's Regiment!"

Imus graciously took up the cause and spoke with Sen. Kerry about it during his appearance. He went a step further and said that he would speak to Doug Brinkley. as well. Sen Kerry came on the air exclaiming Craig's phrase "Liberator status for Patton's Boston Regiment!" He told Imus that would most definitely look into it.

What a great debut. Don Imus. who among his other philanthropic efforts brought the Intrepid Soldiers Fund to national interest and raised millions of dollars. His support for a cause moves mountains.

Sen. Kerry is a long time advocate for Vets. His efficient staff contacted me shortly after the show and they are already working on the project.

Last but certainly not least, the ongoing and unwavering support of Sen. Kennedy, he and his staff's determination and resolve so that the 94th will receive Liberation status.

I thank you all from the bottom of my hearl for your efforts to put history to rights, so the efforts of the 94th Infantry Division and the victims of the Holocaust will be forever remembered.

Fighting City Hall

From now until it gets done or Memorial Day (whichever comes first), I will be working on a project described below in the Yom Hashoah post. Anyone wanting to follow along can check out the posts are Liberator Campaign.

Anyone who would like to yowl at the Congress Critter please feel free to pass along the website. We are working against the clock because of the age of the men of the WWII era 94th Infantry and the calendar of Memorial Day. Any help would be deeply appreciated.