Cold War Veterans Waiting For Recognition

AS the world marked the 20th anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall, the veterans of the Cold War are still unrecognized, ignored, and forgotten.

Many of the brave and dedicated men and women faced danger and death everyday, at far flung bases around the world. As they sat in missile silos, or on the line in the Fulda Gap; facing forces ten times their numbers. They spent long months at sea, on and under the surface; or long hours on patrol in planes, flying near the enemy borders. At bases around the world, from from family and loved ones.

Despite all this, there is no medal or award they can point out to family and say
"Yes I was there to protect freedom." No simple Thank You from our country. Only memories that often they are not allowed to speak about, sworn to secrecy that they
hold dear even today so many years later.

That may change this year! At the present time their are bills in both Houses of Congress to correct this wrong, and finally acknowledge the service of all Cold War Veterans.

S.2743 The Cold War Medal Act 2009 introduced in the Senate by Senator Snowe, Senator Webb, Senator Lincoln and Senator Landrieu would authorize a Cold War Service Medal to these veterans.

H.R. 4051 The Cold War Medal Act 2009 is a sister bill introduced by Congressman Israel.

H.RES 900 Supporting the goals and ideals of a Cold War Veterans Recognition Day to honor the sacrifices and contributions made by members of the Armed Forces during the Cold War and encouraging the people of the United States to participate in local and national activities honoring the sacrifices and contributions of those individuals. Also introduced by Congressman Israel would designate May 1 as "Cold War Veterans Recognition Day"

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. Would remember and recognize these Cold War Veterans.

Please contact your Senators and Representatives ask them to become a cosponsor of these bills, and vote for rapid passage as the bills reach the floor for vote.

Tell thee veterans that their service did matter and the lives lost were not in vain.
It is no longer proper and right to push this 46 years of waiting and hoping never to heard "the balloon went up" into the dust pile of history. Give them at long last,
a Thank You from our country.

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