Saturday, September 30, 2006

COLD WAR VICTORY MEDAL KILLED IN SENATE


From the NDAA07 Final Conference Report released 29 Sep 07


Cold War Victory Medal..



The House bill contained a provision (sec. 552) that would


require the service secretaries to issue a service medal to be known as the Cold War Victory Medal to eligible members and former members of the Armed Forces who performed active duty or inactive duty training between September 2, 1945, and December 26, 1991.



- The Senate amendment contained no similar provision.


- The House recedes.


Tuesday, September 26, 2006

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Monday, September 25, 2006

I would like to post this in reaction to the recent church bombings after Pope Benedict made his academic speech in Germany referring to violent acts among the alleged Muslim faithful.

The vandalism toward Christian churches wasn't the first incident of this sort. In Turkey [where I was stationed in the Air Force [1968-1969] had several in the past toward Greek Orthodox churches. And I believe that even though the pope is Roman Catholic that there were incidents against the Greek Orthodox church after the recent rampage by Muslim extremists. I am nominally a Catholic, but have relatives who are Greek Orthodox. I am not speaking on their behalf but for my own.

Since I am a veteran who was stationed in Turkey during the Cold War, I feel that these people who call those in the West infidels are themselves INGRATES. They are ungrateful for the fact that US GIs served in Turkey when the Turks were justifiably worried about the Soviet Union. They are ungrateful in their harmful acts on Greek Orthodox churches, a religion well represented in the US--the same US that defended them. They are ungrateful and do this in spite of US help in Afghanistan's battle against Soviet Russia years ago helped free them from Communist rule in a religious nation. They pure and simply are INGRATES.

I think Muslims in general need to become aware of this, but for the most part have not condemned the acts. There was a group of US based Muslims who sent money for rebuilding efforts for the church. Good for them. Now we need the Turks to acknowledge that the US helped during the Cold War, and the veterans did also. I have not seen any Turkish acknowledgment of US aid to them after the end of the Cold War, and it is 15 years and counting. Madeleine Albright wants Turkey to be part of the European Union. I don't agree with her. She is another person who needs to be made aware of what the Cold War veterans did in service of their nation.



FRANK D



Corlu Guy I Agree whole heartedly. I too served in Turkey at Corlu havalani for 17 months 1990-91 US Army. Even then we were treated as if our presence was not appreciated but begrudgingly tolerated. We had numerous incidents with host nation civilian and military personnel including a riot at the front gate off E-5 where Turkish Army basically had us prisoner (nothing or no one in or out unless they had Americans in custody). There were countess bombings against American interest i.e. consulate, McDonald's,etc. American serviceman were killed and wounded in Istanbul, Izmir and Incirlik. We were under Threatcon Delta for 8 months. My battle buddie and I ran supply run every day in civvies. We recieved danger and hostile fire pay from Jan till I left. Does that sound like we were appreciated then. Nothing has changed? The Turks are suppose to be our biggest allies in Muslim world. They use us for money, Arms and for anything else to further their interests, but when we need a Northern front against Iraq its no or when our Armenian ambassador mentions the genocide in 1915 we sheepishly call him home and replace him to placate the Turks. We turn a blind eye on human rights and war against Kurds all to keep a foothold in region and to protect our bases there. The Turks had Ataturk a great man and if it wasn't for him setting up strong secular govt Turkey would be worse. The islamists are strong in Turkey but they are kept in check by secular institutions. We should not be surprised by rhetoric and terrorism from Turkey after Popes comments. Yes its disappointing but Islam trumps any nationalistic or strategic allegiance. We need to realize Islam must be contained and the West better wake up.



Sean P. Eagan
New York State Director
Cold War Veterans Association


sean.eagan@gmail.com
http://www.coldwarveterans.com/
http://cold-war-veterans-blog.blogspot.com/

Saturday, September 23, 2006

Terry Everett R-Alabamma on CWVM

From Retiredbirdman

 

I have just received a letter from Congressman Terry Everett of Alabama. A True Republican who knows how to lay on the Bull S--T. I sent him a letter asking for his support and would he be a cosponsor to HR5122. I also used the outline on the cost of the medals , that was offered by Dr. Tims. This is what I received.

Dear Mr. Money:

            Thank you for contacting me about a Cold War Victory Medal.  I appreciate hearing from you and welcome the opportunity to respond.

            On May 11, the House passed the Fiscal Year 2007 National Defense Authorization Act (HR 5122), a bill which authorizes $512.9 billion for the Department of Defense (DOD) and the national security programs of the Department of Energy.  The legislation includes $50 billion in supplemental funding to support current operations in Iraq, Afghanistan and elsewhere in the Global War on Terrorism.  This additional money will fund force protection initiatives needed to support Operation enduring Freedom,Iraqi Freedom, including up-armored Humvees, Humvee improvised explosive devices (IED) and gunner protection kits, IED jammers and state of the art body armor.  The measure also provides a 2.7% across the board pay raise and blocks proposed TRICARE fee increases, as well as eliminates co pays for generic and formulary mail order prescriptions for military beneficiaries.  Finally, HR 5122 completes the transition to full TRICARE coverage for Selected Reserve personnel.

            Specific to your concerns, HR 5122 requires the Secretary of Defense to design a Cold War Victory Medal and issue it to those individuals who have preformed active duty or inactive duty for training as an enlisted member,officer, or warrant officer, during the Cold War and completed an initial term of enlistment or obligation.  A servicemember would also be eligible for this medal after completion of not less than 180 days of service on active duty.  HR 5122 now awaits a House/Senate conference to reconicle each chambers version of this measure.

           I hope you find this information of assistance.  Please continue to be in touch as futher matters of interest arise.  With best wishes, I am

                                                                            Sincerely yours,

 

                                                                            Terry EVERETT

This letter was written 18 sept 2006.





Retired USAF
1971-1991
Member VFW Post 3073
Life Member DAV Chapter 87
Brotherhood of Taiwan Veterans Assoc
Kdva Member at large

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Monday, September 18, 2006

Thursday, September 14, 2006

Congressman Brian Higgins D NY-27th Supports CWVM

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Why Native vets should support a Europe Defense Service Medal
Guest opinion


Joe Martin 9/12/2006

Native American veterans are aware the United States government has historically created and awarded congressionally authorized military medals for service. These medals represent individual participation in theaters of operations for defense of the geographical area in which the action occurred. This honor is recognizable on many of the veterans who served in the US Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard when they wear the colorful medals or ribbons on their regalia or vests at powwows and gatherings.

Some veterans may wear only one medal: The Good Conduct Medal, from their respective service branch, or the National Defense Service Medal. And then other veterans may go unnoticed and almost invisible wearing no medal at all on their chest - though they have received their honorable discharge from the service.

The veterans who have no service medal to wear at all they may be able to only receive from the government a substitute- a bland impersonal civilian recognition certificate. As a matter of fact, no civilian certificate in our country’s military history has ever been substituted for a military award before. Some veterans refuse the certificate as an insult, but it is touted as impressive and worthy of the paper it is printed on by the government.

So a commemorative phenomenon is born. This is where a veteran can be directed by the government and the Department of Defense to go out and purchase a commemorative medal to honor themselves. But if a veteran buys one of these, and then tries to wear one on their old military uniform on Veterans Day or Memorial Day and the like, stiff fines or even jail time can result via the US Code. This is unsatisfactory.

Some other veterans also know that benefits from the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and Vet Centers are entitlements usually based on service and the time of service, as well as on what type of military awards an individual received. Too many know what it is like to get services when they are required to travel long distances, or to go to mobile outreach, if and when it arrives on the reservation. Some find out too late when they attempt to access Vet Center services for service-connected psychological readjustment counseling for, say, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, By law, those without a correct theater service medal or other award are denied service. VA hospitals or clinics also can deny help because an individual’s service was at the wrong time in military history. That is wrong.

The government’s failure to award a theater service medal for the defense of Europe during the Cold War years of 1945-91 causes these injustices. This has happened by an apparent oversight due to the fact that the Cold War victory in Europe occurred at about the same time as the first Persian Gulf War was fought.

By awarding a Europe Defense Service Medal, the government will be doing the right thing and taking a strong step toward equalizing services for all military veterans.

Some people misinterpret the Cold War in Europe as a time of peace. However it was an actual war pitting US-North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) allied military forces against the numerically superior USSR-Warsaw Pact military forces. Forty-six years in duration, the Cold War in Europe stands as the longest undeclared war in US military history occurring outside America’s borders.

Out of all ethnicities, Native Americans serve in the military at the highest per capita rate. They were stationed in, deployed to, and actively involved in operations, exercises, and activities in the European Theater of Operations. Yet no wearable recognizable uniform recognition has ever been given for their service. This shows dishonor toward veterans who put their life on the line and their lives on hold when America needed them the most. The least America can do is to act on this situation and recognize the efforts of those individuals for their service overseas on the front and on the flanks in Cold War Europe.

Considering their outstanding level of service, it stands to reason at least some Native Americans were killed, wounded or lost in-theater during the Cold War in Europe. At least 62 Americans were Killed in Action, 100’s were Wounded in Action, 18 are still Missing in Action, and an estimated 5000 died in military operations, exercises, missions, and support activities. The Cold War in Europe was a real war, fought with real weapons, with real ammunition. An actual military theater of operations existed. Five million US military members teamed up with NATO allied nations military forces to prevent the USSR-Warsaw Pact military forces from invading Western Europe.

Veterans were in harm’s way by being conventional deterrence forces in a situation that carried the prospect of nuclear war. There are cases of US aircraft and their crews being shot down on missions across Eastern European borders. US military personnel were also subject to terrorist actions from the Marxist Red Army Faction and other similar pre-9/11 organizations. On the front, on the north flank, on the south flank, on land, in the air, at sea and under the sea border clashes and hostile encounters with opposing military forces occurred. It appears the government has conveniently forgotten all of this sacrifice.

All service in Cold War Europe was not combative, just the same as in other theaters of operations where service medals were awarded. In the preparation for combat, in the standing of guard, in the manning of outposts on traditional invasion routes into Europe from the East along the borders of the Soviet states, and other areas, many US military veterans suffered and endured the cold and heat in silence. While separated from their families, friends and loved ones, they were ordered by their military superiors to provide peace, freedom, and stability for 400-plus million European citizens.

They did their duty.

Many remember the alerts and not knowing if it was the real event they had trained for. However they stood their posts, ready to fulfill their responsibility to protect Europe. If it were to have been the real thing they were ready to serve and fight, to be, in essence, a speed bump to slow down the Soviet-Warsaw Pact Divisions until additional help could arrive to repel the invaders. By protecting the people of Europe, they protected the American people as well.

Former US President Dwight D. Eisenhower recognized the importance of the Cold War in Europe when he stated, "There is but one way to avoid total war - that is to win the Cold War."

US-NATO allied military forces won the Cold War in Europe on December 25, 1991 and the USSR and the Warsaw Pact collapsed and ceased to exist. Many of these same former enemy countries have since joined NATO as allied nations and embrace NATO’s ideals. Meanwhile, our veterans who participated in the Cold War in Europe go without.

Now is the time for the government to act and come to recognize the solid and honest efforts of all those quiet American cold warriors that protected the Europeans. US military veterans who served in the Cold War deserve a medal to wear on their regalia and vests, to be treated equal. They have already run the gauntlet by serving honorably in the military, in their war, their theatre of operations. It is time.


About the author: Joe Martin, Metis, is the national commander of the Europe Defense Veterans of America and keeper of the Europe Defense Veterans of America Cold Warriors Honors Blanket. He is a PFC USMC Infantry 2nd Marine Division FMF Cold War European Theater Veteran 1978-79-80. The Europe Defense Veterans of America is based in Lake Placid, New York. Their website is: www.edva.us. To support their efforts and sign an online petition, go to: http://www.petitiononline.com/edsm/petition.html

Tuesday, September 12, 2006

Letter and Response from Senator Clintons Office



Hi Jenny,
I am writing on behalf of the Cold War Veterans Association of N.Y. State. I would like to thank Senator Clinton for her support of a Cold War Victory Medal.
I just got of the phone with Congressman McHugh's office and basically given a heads up that Senate opposition to Sec 552 HR 2568 Cold War Victory Medal Act was strong. Senate Republicans are falling in line with DoD position. I just would like to know if Sen. Clinton maybe able garner any more support in the senate for the CWVM.
Sincerely,

Sean P. Eagan

New York State Director
Cold War Veterans Association
716 708-6416

sean.eagan@gmail.com
http://cold-war-veterans-blog.blogspot.com/
http://www.coldwarveterans.com/
http://blog.myspace.com/cold_war_service_medal
http://blog.myspace.com/cold_war_service_medal


We are working with the Senate staff on this but am not sure how much more head way we will make. We will do our best.
Thanks.
Vr, Jenny

Sunday, September 10, 2006





UNITED STATES CORPS OF CHAPLAINS
Support For The Award Of A Cold War Service Medal


Resolution USCOC-040001
Support For The Award Of A Cold War Service Medal
Submitted by: United States Corps of Chaplains, Board of Directors





WHEREAS, The United States Armed Forces engaged the forces of International Communism continuously from the end of World War II until the disintegration of the former Soviet Union; and


WHEREAS, The United States, during this extended period, relied on the manpower of the Army, Navy, Air Force and Marine Corps, active duty, National Guard, and Reserve, manned by citizens performing their obligated duty to serve and defend the United States; and


WHEREAS, The defeat of the former Soviet Union and its Warsaw Pact allies constituted the greatest success of the American armed forces since the end of World War II; and


WHEREAS, No campaign medal exists to recognize the dedication and participation of these service members in hundreds of military exercises and operations that occurred between September 2, 1945, through December 26, 1991, to promote world peace and stability; and


WHEREAS, during this period, thousands of service members were killed, wounded, and became missing in Cold War operations which were separate from other recognized wars such as the Korean War and Vietnam War; and It is fitting and right that these service members who served overseas and in related stateside support operations receive proper recognition from their government in the form of the timely award of the Cold War Service Medal; and


WHEREAS, the United States Corps of Chaplains exists to serve and assist veterans of the United States Armed Forces in any and all ways possible;


Now, therefore, be it


RESOLVED, By the Board of Directors of the United States Corps of Chaplains, that the United States Corps of Chaplains urge the Congress to authorize and provide funding for the award of a Cold War Service Medal to all armed forces members who served honorably during the period 2 September 1945 through 21 December 1991 to commemorate service and victory in the Cold War which eliminated the threat of a determined enemy to overpower the freely elected democracies of the world, by supporting and passing S. 1841, the Cold War Medal Act.







Click here for a Petition to
Authorize the Award of the
Cold War Service Medal
http://www.petitiononline.com/pfcmongo/petition.html-->
Chaplain (GEN) Phillip D. Burnette
United States Corps of Chaplains
National Commander


Chaplain (GEN) Kenneth C. Allen, Sr.
United States Corps of Chaplains
Deputy National Commander


Chaplain (LTG) George D. Patrick
United States Corps of Chaplains
Director


Chaplain (LTG) Robert W. Mims
United States Corps of Chaplains
Director




Saturday, September 09, 2006

Friday, September 01, 2006

The goat's not dead yet
Frank Tims

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Get some message traffic going. If Congressional staff browses these pages, they need to see that we have not forgotten the Cold War Victory Medal. The final mark up is not complete, and we need to stay on message. ALL OF US, AND WE NEED TO KEEP THAT MESSAGE GOING TO CONGRESS AND ARMED SERVICES COMMITTEE STAFF. THEY need to hear it from their bosses, and that only happens if you ask them, and remind them, and remind them again.
From a Rumsfeld speech at the Truman Library this year:
Now with the perspective of history, the many new institutions and programs of the Truman years can seem, I suppose to many people, as part of a carefully crafted, broadly supported strategy that led to what now almost seems like an inevitable victory in the Cold War.
But of course, things didn't unfold that way. That isn't the way it was in history. They never unfold quite that way. Our country was tired after the Second World War and strong strains of isolationism still persisted. Many Americans were not in the mood for global involvement on the part of the United States. And particularly against something as ill-defined as the Communist menace at the time. It wasn't as though they were engaged in a battle and you needed to respond, it was different than World War II. It was something that you couldn't quite put your hand on, you couldn't quite show a movie about it as readily. It was a time of heated disagreements. We think back now, it seems like anybody with any sense would have recognized the importance of the Cold War and of pursuing our values and our interests as a country. I don't think it would surprise anyone to hear that Harry S. Truman was a proud and enthusiastic partisan.He used to say:

"Whenever a fellow tells me he's bipartisan, I know he's going to vote against me."
And he wasn't shy about expressing his views to those who did.
Yet together, leaders of both of our political parties tended to get the big things right. And they did get the big things right. They understood that war had been declared on our country -- on the free world -- whether we liked it or not. That we had to steel ourselves against an expansionist enemy, the Soviet Union, that was determined to destroy our way of life.
A small but perhaps telling moment in the history of the Cold War took place on one of President Truman's first days in office. During his second week as President, he met with Soviet Foreign Minister Molotov. President Truman had what was described as a "tough conversation" during which he told Molotov that the Soviets were not carrying out their agreements on Poland. Molotov responded, "We are."And President Truman, as he put it, "I then explained to him in words of one syllable, exactly why they were not." After the President's typically frank reply, and undiplomatic response, Molotov apparently said to President Truman, "I have never been talked to like that in my life." Truman replied, "Carry out your agreements and you won't be talked to like that again." Sounds reasonable to me. In a sense, that quintessentially American candor would prove to be a valuable attribute in winning the struggle against the Soviet Union. We knew that our free system of government was vastly preferable to their dictatorship. That when given a real choice, the natural desire of men and women is to be free. And that the task of free people was to hold firm, to defend ourselves over many long decades, and trust that the truth would eventually win out.

You can easily find volumes of speeches where SecDef uses the Cold War to make a point. It was always a critical time for us when he speaks of it. Now that it is behind us, it is just a matter of convenience for him to evoke the memory of the Cold War to sell policy. Still, there must be other statesmen and decorated and respected military Veterans who know what the Cold War was. Those that talk about it with respect for the men and women who stuck it out until victory was ours.

Paul V. Dudkowski
US Navy, 1973 to 1978
Director, Mountain West Operations
Public Affairs Director
Adm. James L. Holloway III, USN (Ret.) On Cold War


In this eleventh hour, when every e-mail, fax and phone call counts, don't be affraid to qoute people like Adm. Holloway to make a point. Here are some of his words:

"All Americans, with perhaps some notable exceptions, deserve to share in the credit for America's victory over the Soviet Union. But the true debt of national gratitude is owed to those citizens who were in uniform during the Cold War years?not just those who fought or died, but all who served. When those young Americans accepted the draft, walked into the recruiting stations, signed up for ROTC, entered OCS, or responded to their recall to active duty, they didn't know what fate held in store for them. They only knew there was a duty to perform and although it was going to take a large piece of their life?maybe all of it?they were going to serve their country. These were the heroes who won the Cold War. For those of us who served in the Navy and continue to serve in the Navy, we have a moral obligation to honor those men and women who donned Navy blue during this era."Adm. James L. Holloway III, USN (Ret.) I'm sure we can find more notable persons to quote. When you find some, post them for all our benefit.

Paul V. Dudkowski US Navy,
1973 to 1978
Director, Mountain West Operations
Public Affairs Director