Thursday, February 17, 2011

Cold War Medal Introduced in Senate



FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                               CONTACT:  Katie Bruns (Snowe)           
February 17, 2011                                                                                           202-224-1304                                                                                                                           
                                                Liz Johnson (Collins)
202-224-2523
                                               Allison Jaslow (Webb)
202-224-4024
        Jodi Seth (Kerry)
202-224-4159
   
Senators Snowe, Collins, Webb and Kerry Introduce Legislation Honoring Cold War Veterans
                               
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senators Olympia J. Snowe (R-Maine), Susan Collins (R-Maine), Jim Webb (D-Virginia) and John Kerry (D-Massachusetts) today introduced the Cold War Service Medal Act of 2011, legislation to authorize the design and award of a service medal to honor America’s Cold War veterans.  Such a medal does not currently exist.

“The commitment, motivation and fortitude of our Cold War Veterans was second to none,” said Senator Snowe.  “The brave service members who served honorably during the Cold War should be recognized for their service, and this legislation is a long overdue step towards creating the service medal that they deserve.”

“This legislation will express our sincere gratitude to all Cold War veterans, including the thousands of those who served in Maine, for putting the comforts of civilian life aside to advance the cause of freedom,” said Senator Collins.

“The millions of Americans who served in uniform in the armed forces during the Cold War, spanning more than four decades, were the living embodiment of our nation’s strategy of deterrence,” said Senator Webb. “In their efforts to preserve peace, hundreds died during isolated armed confrontations when the Cold War flashed hot at remote locations around the world. This legislation will appropriately honor those who served in an effort that resulted in the largest single expansion in the number of democratically elected governments in world history.”

“For almost a half century, more than 20 million soldiers stood on the front lines of our nation’s Cold War defenses,” Senator Kerry said.  “At a time when humanity itself hung in the balance, they were ready to spring into action if the Cold War became a shooting war, and they too were separated from their families and loved ones for long, difficult periods. They deserve full recognition for their service and sacrifice, and I look forward to working with my colleagues to enact this important legislation.”
---------------- "And so the greatest of American triumphs... became a peculiarly joyless victory. We had won the Cold War, but there would be no parades." -- Robert M. Gates, 1996

13 comments:

  1. There have been dumber ideas, but at present, I'm unable to come up with one. johntidyman.wordpress.com

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  2. John,

    Your response tops the dumb list. while not an idea, it does show your ignorance.

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  3. This is long overdue and well-deserved. And, Johntidyman: There have been dumber comments, but, at present, I'm unable to come up with one... A Proud Veteran who protected your butt for years

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  4. I think it's a great idea. For alot of us, we don't need the medal to feel good about the job we did and the great purpose it served. And not one of us I am sure, minded doing what others would not, so that pukes like you Johntidyman could live and breath and spread your ignorant crap in the freedom you take for granted and abuse.

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  5. its about time. millions of soldiers doing there duty to protect the free world. how about NATO, where is their duty to the american soldier? Thanks for nothing NATO.

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  6. Hand salute to the Cold War Veterans.

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  7. I think somebody missed spelled the Johntidyman name. The correct spelling is Johntidybowlman.

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  8. Oh by the way. I am a cold war vet. Served in the Aluetians traking Russian Subs. And I still think its Johntidybowlman.

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  9. I'm a Cold War Vet. I'm all for this. Two tours in Germany in the late 70's, early 80's. Close enough to the Czech border to have run-ins with their border guards. There is nothing like an AK pointed at your head to encourage you to turn around your vehicle to head back the way you came. What started out as a ride down a beautiful country road ended up a ride of terror for an 18 year old kid. That's a day I'll never forget.

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  10. I was an Air Force Photographer and served overseas during the late 70's through the early 80,s. I was in Combat Support during my entire 5 years of Active Duty. It was the high point in the Cold War and on top of the Iran Hostage Crisis, Iran Iraq War, Soviet Invasion of Afghanistan, Lybia, thousands of terrorist acts in Germany and Italy many perpetrated against service members, there was upheaval in Yugoslavia after Tito died. We were neck deep in everything. I was jacked up at least a couple of times by AK's and M16's. I flew real missions it the Army, Marines and the Army. I also took pictures of dead service members killed in the line of duty and not. We were always on some sort of Alert Status and in Chem Gear a lot. I have never asked for anything, but a Cold War Service Medal would be nice. Thousands upon thousands were killed during the cold war. In the Service back in the day they weren't giving Medals out like they are now. Since 1991, 20,000 Bronze Stars and a plethora of campaign medals. Cold War Vets served quietly. The media didn't talk about our involvement in Afghanistan during the Cold War for one. There is stuff I could go into, but can't because if I discussed it I could lose my VA Disability.

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  11. My first and only white girl, who was in her last year of medical school was so greatful we para-trooped in Grenada to protect them from known cuban pretedors.....she loved me three days and cost me 3,000.00 an a article 15 for going AWOL with motor pool and arsenals keys.....Still I ended up serving honorably. and appreiate the Puss Medal...LOL

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  12. Hey, it's just my opinion.

    Thank you, Anonymous, for protecting my butt and calling me names. Your regard for combat veterans in lacking.

    Except for 68-69, when I protected my own butt as well as members of my squad. B Co., 1/52nd Infantry, 198th Light Infantry Brigade, Americal Division. Came home a 19-year old buck sergeant and couldn't get a drink in the SeaTac airport lounge because I was too young.

    At present, I'm editor of DD 214 Chronicle, a newspaper for veterans in northeast Ohio. If you have a minute, take a look at our web site: www.dd214chronicle.com. In addition to copies of our newspaper, there are podcasts from our award winning radio show, "When Johnny Comes Marching Home Again."

    John H. Tidyman (Google my name for other work I've done.)

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  13. John, I thank you for your service. And yes, you are entitled to your opinion. Read my post above about my Cold War tours of duty. In addition to fighting that, I was having to battle servicemen who wore the same uniform that I did. Men who had no respect for women in the military. I definitely deserve a medal for that!

    What I don't get is what does the work you do now have to do with your opinion on the Cold War Medal? It's totally irrelevant and does nothing to support your opinion.

    I believe we deserve this medal. I had weapons pointed at me by Czech Guards multiple times. My life was threatened. I reported SMLM vehicles as was my duty any time I spotted them. I spent plenty of my time on alert. I knew people who were killed in attacks by the RAF (No, that's not the Royal Air Force). I was on alert when Alexander Haig's life was threatened with an assassination attempt. That was very real stuff. I pulled guard duty on the flight line to keep the local nationals from sabotaging our aircraft.

    Those who served in Berlin received a campaign medal. Why didn't those of us who served on the Czeck border, the Fulda Gap or any number of frightening places get equally recognized? I was on a Nuke sight and you think that wasn't frightening?

    That's just my opinion. You can Google my name, too.

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