Posted by
Ed Autry on Thursday, December 20, 2007 2:20:46 PM
Despite valiant efforts by veterans groups and their advocates, the National Defense Authorization Act for 2008 was reported out by the House-Senate Conference, without a provision for a Cold War Victory Medal.
According to American Cold War Veterans National Chairman, Frank Tims, Ph.D., "The stripping out of the Cold War Victory Medal was attributed to opposition from the Department of Defense on grounds of cost and duplication of recognition, two points we strongly dispute, and insufficient support in the conference to override these objections."
Tims expressed gratitude to those legislators who supported the Cold War Medal, especially Senators Susan Collins (R-ME), Blanche Lincoln (D-AR), Hillary Clinton (D-NY), and Representative Robert Andrews (D-NJ).
"We are prepared to fight this battle in the 2009 Authorization Act as it comes up for mark-up in the House and Senate Armed Services Committees next spring.", Tims said. "Senator Clinton has already introduced S.1763, the Cold War Medal Act of 2007. Our next tasks are (1) to get cosponsors for S.1763, and (2) to continue to tell the story of the Cold War, its significance, and America's forgotten heroes from the most forgotten war."
"Many people lost their lives during the Cold War, both in regular operations and on classified missions in or near enemy territory.", Tims said. "Nuclear armed missiles, aircraft, and submarines participated in strategic defense, and American troops were killed in counter-insurgency operations, and by terrorist attacks supported by Soviet bloc powers. A prevailing myth is that 'the Cold War was won without a shot being fired,' yet Soviet pilots, missile crews, and soldiers on the ground entered into combat with American forces. It is time to tell the truth about the Cold War, and to recognize its forgotten heroes. "
Veterans who would qualify for the Cold War Service Medal are those who served active duty in the military
between September 1945 to December 1991.