When Will Cold War Veterans be Remembered

Another Veterans Day has passed, parades, pomp and circumstance; all across American
our nation paid homage to veterans of WWI, WWII, Korea, Vietnam, Iraq, Afghanistan and other heroes.

One noted exception: No One thinks about the Cold War Veterans Those who stood nose to nose with the Soviets. The brave men and women who lost their lives preserving freedom once again failed to be recognized.

Yes a lot has been written lately, public officials may mention it in passing but it is soon forgotten again.

Even our Commander-in Chief, President Obama has stated publicly of his "supposed support".
In an email to a Cold War Veteran President Obama said
I agree that the Cold War Victory medal would be an appropriate honor. The Cold War was a period that required both skilled diplomacy and military readiness. For veterans who had to be prepared to fight a war that most people agreed would be catastrophic, there certainly should be some recognition of service and willingness to defend and go to battle for the United States.
In each of the past two years, the Cold War Victory Medal has passed the House as part of its version of the annual defense authorization bill but has been stymied by influential members of the Senate Armed Services Committee. I certainly share your hope that this impasse can be broken soon.

Sincerely,
Barack Obama
United States Senator

On 01-08-08 President Obama stated "As president, he would sign legislation creating a cold war medal."

Would an Executive Order be appropriate? Can our President remember his statements? Or was it all just more, tell them what they want and then forget them?

Now that S.2743 The Cold War Medal Act 2009 has been introduced in the Senate; and H.R. 4051 The Cold War Medal Act 2009 a sister bill introduced in the House possibly he will have a chance to keep his word.

Also in the House of Representatives are two other bills that will recognize and honor Cold War veterans: 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.
And H.RES.900 which would designate May 1 as Cold War Veterans Recognition Day. This has been another of our long-term goals. Several states have designated May 1 as Cold War Victory Day, to have a national day of recognition would be a great honor for veterans.

Please contact you Senators and Representatives in Congress ask them to become cosponsors of these three bills.

At last as a country let us say Thank You to all Cold War Veterans.

Jerald Terwilliger
National Chairman
American Cold War Veterans