A Cold Shoulder for Cold-War Vets

[BOP]

A Cold Shoulder for Cold-War Veterans - WSJ.com

This weekend, Americans will honor soldiers who fought the country's wars, from the Somme to Kandahar. In Manassas, Va., 30 miles from the nation's capital, a parade on Saturday will honor veterans of another big war: the one that never happened.

The Cold War, from 1945 to the Soviet Union's breakup in 1991, was all about avoiding total nuclear war. It turned hot in Korea and Vietnam and sparked conflicts from Lebanon to Grenada. But soldiers on duty between flare-ups didn't do battle. When the war that wasn't came to an end, they got no monuments, no victory medals.

Nor can they join the American Legion—which makes the parade of Cold War vets in Manassas a minor hot spot of its own.

Okay, here's where it gets dicey, and where I diverge from my fellow vets on this issue:

In 2006, Mr. Almquist, who lives in Illinois, complained to his then-senator, Barack Obama. Mr. Obama emailed back, calling a Cold War medal "appropriate," and hoping "that this impasse can be broken soon." It wasn't. Now the vets intend to ask him to create the medal by executive order.

I've had about enough of Obama circumventing the legislative process (as ineffective as it has become), just because he doesn't think he needs to follow the constitution. I'm equally sick of people who think it's a good idea.

[edinsomd]

I'm a Cold War vet. I recall getting a certificate from Bubba Clinton acknowledging my Cold War service, which I promptly tossed into the sh!tcan. I also received a couple Expeditionary awards, as well as a Gulf War 1 participation medal.

So I qualify for the AL and the VFW, but I imagine there are some who weren't "lucky" enough to receive like awards, and are ineligible. And that's a shame.

[barbourm]

In my opinion all veterans are authorized to march in parades honoring veterans. Although it is true that membership in The American Legion is predicated on having served in one of the five services, during a defined time of war, the vets that were in the service outside of those prescribed periods are still military veterans nonetheless!
The American Legion was founded in 1919, as a war-time veterans organization, and was chartered by Congress on this basis. The membership eligibility dates parallel dates set by Congress for war-time service. The American Legion must abide by those defined dates for determining membership eligibility.
Although a veteran may not be eligible to join, due to the technicalities within the charter, they should feel justifiably proud that they served their nation and were an integral part of the armed forces to ensure our force was in a ready stance to address any threats to national security. Thank you to all of our veterans!

Mike Barbour
Commander,
American Legion Post 221
Avenue, MD

[zeerex99]

This topic has been on my mind recently. I guess I'm a cold war vet too. US Navy from 78 - 84 and an Expeditionary Medal. Never heard the expression before. I was at a local hardware store this weekend. They were offering "military discounts" in honor of Veteran's Day. An active ID or retired ID was required. Since I'm neither I didn't qualify. My youngest son is in the Army Infantry. Has been for 6-1/2 years and plans to get out this March. He's been to Afghanistan twice, received a Bronze Star with a "V" device and two Purple Hearts. Once out, he'll be neither retired or active and won't be recognized for discounts, free meals etc. For me, it's not about the discount or meal etc. It's not even about me personally. What about the many, many men and women who've faced direct combat and horrendous conditions in support of this country? Just a thought.

[edinsomd]

Most places offering vet's discounts will accept a DD-214 if an active or retired ID is not available.

[zeerex99]

Originally Posted by edinsomd

Most places offering vet's discounts will accept a DD-214 if an active or retired ID is not available.

Negative at the store I went to. I wasn't pushing it but asked if a DD-214 would work. Was told it was not on their list of "approved" documents. I'm not trying to make a huge deal of this but there' just something about it that picks at my over-thinking brain.

[itsbob]

A Cold War medal??

Who cares?

Many of us served, and stood watch, some faced down the barrels of T-54s and T-62s.. do we need or want medals??

Hell no.. save the money and defend our benefits!!

Obama says we deserve a medal but wants to a** rape us over our medical and retiree benefits, well shove the medal up your a**.. Didn't do it for recognition, damn well didn't do it for a nonsensical medal that means absoulutely NOTHING..

Everyone has their own reason for serving, HOPEFULLY none do if for the trinkets and shiny things..

[NTNG]

Nicely stated.
Thanks!

[awpitt]

Originally Posted by edinsomd

I'm a Cold War vet. I recall getting a certificate from Bubba Clinton acknowledging my Cold War service, which I promptly tossed into the sh!tcan. I also received a couple Expeditionary awards, as well as a Gulf War 1 participation medal.

So I qualify for the AL and the VFW, but I imagine there are some who weren't "lucky" enough to receive like awards, and are ineligible. And that's a shame.

I'm a Cold War Vet as well. I was able to join the AL because of the Lebanon / Grenada and Panama designations.

[migtig]

If you want to join a club, have you checked the VFW?

VFW Member Eligibility
The fundamental difference between our organization and other veterans organizations, and one in which we take great pride, is our eligibility qualifications.

VFW welcomes all who meet our eligibility criteria. It's through service to this country that all our membership has earned their elite status.

If you have received a campaign medal for overseas service; have served 30 consecutive or 60 non-consecutive days in Korea; or have ever received hostile fire or imminent danger pay, then you're eligible to join our ranks.