Cold War Veterans Blog

VFW Reaffirms Support for CWVM

Membership Director Scott L'Ecuyer recieved the VFW's current positon from VFW National Legislative Director Eric A. Hilleman . This is the VFW's current position and they have been working on this with several offices in Washington.

Resolution No. 428


COLD WAR VICTORY MEDAL


WHEREAS, in 1998, the United States (U.S.) government recognized the contributions of over 20 million U.S. service members during the Cold War with a certificate of recognition; and


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


WHEREAS, during this period service members were killed, wounded, and missing in Cold War operations overseas, which were separate from other recognized wars such as the Korean War and Vietnam War; and


WHEREAS, eligibility for a veteran’s pension, in part, requires honorable service during time of war, Cold War veterans are not eligible for a pension because there is no medal indicating a Cold War existed; and


WHEREAS, there is a significant population of homeless veterans in the United States many of whom are not eligible for a veteran’s pension; and


WHEREAS, the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States recognizes that the Cold War veterans prevented world domination of communism and nuclear war; and


WHEREAS, it is fitting and right that these service members receive proper recognition from their government in the form of the award of a Cold War Victory Medal that will entitle eligibility for a veteran’s pension; and


WHEREAS, the United States government has not properly recognized the service of these veterans who sacrificed so much; now, therefore



BE IT RESOLVED, by the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States, that we support the creation and awarding of a Cold War Victory Medal to all eligible U.S. service personnel who served in the military during the Cold War era, 2 September 1945 to 26 December 1991, and whose service has not already been recognized by a campaign or service medal.




Adopted by the 108th National Convention of the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States held in Kansas City, Missouri, August 18-23, 2007