The Cold War Certificate vs Cold War Medal

The U.S. Army Center of Military History in 2003 estimated that 18 to 22 million would be
eligible for the Cold War Certificate. This includes veterans and civil workers.

We can offer a rough guess that out of that number perhaps 8 million(a conservative guess) are civil workers.

They also estimated that about half of the eligible population would request a certificate. In 2009 I received information that 1.2 million had actually applied and
received the certificate.

Their guess on the cost...1.2 million certificates would cost $1.9 million

So if we subtract the 8 million civil workers that leaves 10 to 14 million veterans. Since these numbers were established in 2003, we know that the total has shrunk as
Cold War Veterans are growing fewer every day, as veterans pass away.

How many Cold War Veterans are still alive? Maybe 12 million.

If we use the DoD cost of $10 per medal(which we know is too high) this negates their
objection on a cost basis. DoD is currently paying about $1.60 for the Korea Defense
Service Medal.

Also there is a very fine Cold War Medal available from Foxfall Medals designed by Nadine Russell, the Chief of Creative Heraldry at the Army's Institute of Heraldry and the designer of many campaign and service medals, including the Southwest Asia Service Medal, the Armed Forces Service Medal, and the Outstanding Military Volunteer Service Medal.

This would eliminate the need for DoD to go through the process of having a new medal
designed, thus more cost would be eliminated from the program.

Not everyone eligible would apply in the first year, maybe 1 million or so. The numbers
might climb as word spreads and veterans finally get around to applying for the medal, but it would not be a rapid growth.

We also know that not every eligible veteran will apply, there are many who unfortunately consider the Cold War Medal as something they would not want. Those who
feel it to be a "gedunk medal".

Further more, DoD claims "duplication of awards", which we know to be false and misleading. Many million veterans served their tour of duty with no award or medal of
any type. Back then there was no "Sea Service", Overseas Service, GWOT, GWOT Expeditionary or any of the recently adopted awards. The National Defense Service Medal
was issued in very specific time periods. And many, being given "early discharge", for the convenience of the DoD, did not even qualify for a Good Conduct Medal.

Why is there so much opposition from DoD, and several members of Congress to authorize
a Cold War Service Medal? Why all the disrespect towards Cold War Veterans? Why do we
face the "my war was better than your war"?

It is time to end the prejudice and discrimination against Cold War Veterans. Contact both your Senators ask the to cosponsor S.2743 The Cold War Service Medal Act 2009 and insist a provision be included in the National Defense Authorization Act 2011.
Contact you Representative ask him/her to cosponsor H.R. 4051 The Cold War Service Medal Act 2009, insist it be included in the House version of the NDAA 2011.

Thank all Cold War Veterans with this justly deserved recognition, 19 years since the end of the Cold War is too long to wait.

Jerald Terwilliger
National Chairman
American Cold War Veterans
"We Remember"