Cold War Veterans Blog

Senator Clintons Press Release







For Immediate Release

July 21, 2006


Contact: Press Office

202-224-2243





SENATOR CLINTON AND CONGRESSMAN ANDREWS PUSH FOR CREATION OF COLD WAR VICTORY MEDAL



WASHINGTON, DC - U.S. Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton (D-NY) and U.S. Rep. Rob Andrews (D-NJ), members of the Senate-House National Defense Authorization Act conference committee, urged their colleagues to recognize the unique contributions of American veterans of the Cold War by supporting legislation they have introduced in both chambers of Congress to have the Pentagon create and distribute a Cold War Victory Medal.



"It is fitting that we honor the heroes who made our victory in the Cold War possible through their strong and vigilant stand against the threats we faced as a nation. It is time to create a military service medal for members of the Armed Forces who served during the Cold War to recognize and honor their service," Senator Clinton said.



"Winning the Cold War was the most important military victory of the past half century. Veterans of this engagement have earned the right to be recognized for this victory, for the Cold War was not just an ideological struggle. It was a large-scale military campaign to prevent a third world war through deterrence and military deployments. This required real commitment and real sacrifice from those who served in our military," said Rep. Andrews. "It was a unique period in our history, and our veterans of the Cold War deserve a unique medal to recognize their service."



"Establishment of a Cold War Victory Medal would not diminish the integrity or prestige of other medals. It would simply acknowledge the price paid by millions of veterans in resisting the expansion of the Soviet Union and communism around the globe," concluded Rep. Andrews. "I hope that my colleagues on the National Defense Act conference committee will help support this worthy effort."



Approximately 24 million veterans who served in the United States Armed Forces from 1946 through 1991 would be eligible for the Cold War Victory Medal. The medal is endorsed by the American Legion, AMVETS, the Reserve Officers Association and the Cold War Veterans Association.