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jpeters
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31#
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Rank:none
Score:35
Posts:35
From: USA 
Registered:07/24/2008
Time spent: 0 hours
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Re:SENATOR OBAMA ON COLD WAR MEDAL
(Date Posted:03/26/2009 18:15:33)
Not too bad considering the "for" votes were only at 12 about 24 hours earlier. I believe we ended with nearly 141 votes "for".
Let's just hope the president and his staffers put this on their radar screen and realize this is important to vets.
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jpeters
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32#
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Rank:none
Score:35
Posts:35
From: USA
Registered:07/24/2008
Time spent: 0 hours
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Re:SENATOR OBAMA ON COLD WAR MEDAL
(Date Posted:03/26/2009 18:20:07)
I emailed the President on this issue last week and just followed up today with a snail-mail letter as well. We'll see if I get the same kind of "canned" response as others have received.
John
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Aimoo Team
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RE:SENATOR OBAMA ON COLD WAR MEDAL
(Date Posted:04/07/2009 16:38:21)
This message has been deleted due to Termination of Account.
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bELKNAP
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34#
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From: USA
Registered:03/26/2009
Time spent: 0 hours
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RE:SENATOR OBAMA ON COLD WAR MEDAL
(Date Posted:04/08/2009 05:52:02)
Is there any possibility that the Cold War Medal might again be included in the 2010 NDAA? And do ACWV members think that because of the Democratic swing in the last election, coupled with the possibility that Republicans might not want to appear anti-veteran , that there's a better chance of seeing it approved out of committee?
Belknap
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pdudkowski
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35#
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Rank:none
Status:Navy Veteran
Score:222
Posts:222
From: USA
Registered:01/04/2004
Time spent: 0 hours
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RE:SENATOR OBAMA ON COLD WAR MEDAL
(Date Posted:04/08/2009 13:58:21)
That's a good question Belknap. Politics make for strange goings on in Washington. I think we were all hopeful that with one party rule and the party that brought you the last 4 medal bills that it would be a no brainer. I wouldn't count on anything getting easier now. The republicans have never been weak on defense but never wanted the medal or at least not enough to co-sponsor a democrat bill. I would doubt if a republican introduced a bill that the other side would jump on the bandwagon. "Politics as usual" were the good 'ole days and it has gotten much worse.
On an almost daily basis I go to Thomas and look for the 2010 NDAA to make an appearance and also search "Cold War". Nothing of note pops up for either. Usually by this time, the House has their version ready to go but not the case this year.
Still plenty of time for something to pop. Stay focused and be patient.
--------------------------------------------------------------
Paul V. Dudkowski
Charter Member, ACWV
US Navy, 1973 to 1978
"Dedicated to the Cause"
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PastNikeVet
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36#
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Rank:none
Score:500
Posts:500
From: USA
Registered:11/21/2006
Time spent: 8278 hours
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Re:SENATOR OBAMA ON COLD WAR MEDAL
(Date Posted:04/08/2009 22:17:49)
Maybe we are like the Whitehouse dog President Obama talks about ?
Woof ; )
Glen
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http://acwv.newsvine.com[/URL]
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Aimoo Team
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RE:SENATOR OBAMA ON COLD WAR MEDAL
(Date Posted:04/09/2009 06:46:58)
This message has been deleted due to Termination of Account.
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jidavis
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38#
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Registered:09/07/2005
Time spent: 0 hours
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RE:SENATOR OBAMA ON COLD WAR MEDAL
(Date Posted:04/09/2009 07:50:37)
Dear Frank Almquist,
I would like to mail a letter to President Obama requesting the creation of the Cold War Medal. In this letter, I would like to include a copy of what he sent you.
Did you receive a letter or email from then Senator Obama?
* If you received a letter, could you scan it and post it to this forum?
* If you received an email, could you print it and scan it and post it to this forum?
Then I can (and hopefully others) can include an original copy with a Cold War Medal creation request to President Obama.
* I feel this will be more of an impact vs if copy and paste Obama's response to you [that you posted to this forum] in my response.
Thanks
-Jim
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bELKNAP
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39#
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From: USA
Registered:03/26/2009
Time spent: 0 hours
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RE:SENATOR OBAMA ON COLD WAR MEDAL
(Date Posted:04/09/2009 10:42:18)
To jidavis (Jim),
If you do write that letter, would you consider also mentioning that congress has already passed a bill (sorry, I don't know the number of the bill or the congress) creating a Cold War Medal, but with some authority, I'm not sure where granted, the DoD wouldn't authorize it? Thank you.
Belknap
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rodevito
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40#
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Registered:08/12/2005
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Re:SENATOR OBAMA ON COLD WAR MEDAL
(Date Posted:04/09/2009 19:29:26)
If you do write a letter to Obama, I suggest that you tell him that some would be interested in paying for the cost of a CWSM. This would put a tiny dent in the 3.6 trillion dollar budget he is going to create for us. Maybe he can tell this to Gates.
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Aimoo Team
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RE:SENATOR OBAMA ON COLD WAR MEDAL
(Date Posted:04/10/2009 11:49:16)
This message has been deleted due to Termination of Account.
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JIM WELLER
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42#
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Rank:none
Status:Still Serving
Score:389
Posts:389
From: USA
Registered:05/19/2008
Time spent: 13245 hours
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Re:SENATOR OBAMA ON COLD WAR MEDAL
(Date Posted:04/11/2009 07:47:38)
There is still a standing NDAA that authorizes/recommends that the Sec. of Defense create a Cold War Medal. We should continue to write Gates and urge him to act (include Obama's stance during the elections).
--------------------------------------------------------------
Pennsylvania Keystone State Director ACWV
"History does not entrust the care of freedom to the weak or timid." --Dwight D. Eisenhower
"PEACE THROUGH STRENGTH !!"
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JIM WELLER
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43#
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Rank:none
Status:Still Serving
Score:389
Posts:389
From: USA
Registered:05/19/2008
Time spent: 13245 hours
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RE:SENATOR OBAMA ON COLD WAR MEDAL
(Date Posted:06/11/2009 12:20:46)
Hey, remember this guy? I think he won. Time to get him to pay up on his promises. He can do it with an Executive Order if we don't make head way in congress.
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Pennsylvania Keystone State Director ACWV
"History does not entrust the care of freedom to the weak or timid." --Dwight D. Eisenhower
"PEACE THROUGH STRENGTH !!"
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jim811
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44#
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From: USA
Registered:07/10/2009
Time spent: 0 hours
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RE:SENATOR OBAMA ON COLD WAR MEDAL
(Date Posted:07/10/2009 15:43:04)
For some time now, I've been curious as to who "Frank Almquist" is. Is he a dues paying member of the ACWV's? If any of you out there knows Frank, please tell me how I can email him and request his help, re: the Obama Letter posted on our Home Page. Since we are a democratically operated organization and forum, this should not be to much to ask for.
Thank you,
jim811
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coldwarrior
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45#
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Registered:12/21/2003
Time spent: 0 hours
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RE:SENATOR OBAMA ON COLD WAR MEDAL
(Date Posted:07/11/2009 08:27:38)
Now that he got your money and your vote, the President cannot even bring himself to admit that we won the Cold War: http://gatewaypundit.blogspot.com/2009/07/obama-wont-admit-us-won-cold-war-video.htmlDid you really think that a man that was close friends with William Ayers, Frank Marshall Davis, and Paul Robeson (communists all), would hesitate to lie to you, use you, and then publicly deny your fondest hopes? President Obama is a socialist/communist. We are anathama to him. If we ever get recognition for the Cold War, it will despite him, not because of him. ____________________________ I edited the link because the original one wasn't working.
(Message edited by coldwarrior On 07/13/2009 06:33:27)
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On 12 June, 1987 at the Brandenburg Gate, West Berlin, President Ronald Reagan said, "Mr. Gorbachev, tear down this wall!"
On 9 November, 1989 THE WALL CAME DOWN !!!
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jim811
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46#
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From: USA
Registered:07/10/2009
Time spent: 0 hours
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RE:SENATOR OBAMA ON COLD WAR MEDAL
(Date Posted:07/12/2009 11:26:29)
Well, have not heard from the ACWV's Board or anyone else as to how I can email Frank Almquist. My purpose is to contact Frank and see if I can in any way assist him in following up on then Senator Obama's letter to Frank. I would appreciate a response from some board member on my request, but please don't tell me your working behind the scenes, therefore can't discuss openly to the membership. I've heard that one before.
Rodevito, maybe you can tell me how to email Frank Almquist???????
jim811
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jim811
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48#
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From: USA
Registered:07/10/2009
Time spent: 0 hours
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RE:SENATOR OBAMA ON COLD WAR MEDAL
(Date Posted:07/12/2009 16:45:26)
Scott, I tried to reply to your email 3 times, but it appears, they did not go through. I will try again tomorrow.
jim811
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jpeters
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49#
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Rank:none
Score:35
Posts:35
From: USA
Registered:07/24/2008
Time spent: 0 hours
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Reply To coldwarrior
(Date Posted:07/12/2009 20:08:14)
It looks like you attended way too many McCain/Palin hate rallies during last year's election!  Ignorant rants like this serve no real purpose and can only be used to hurt our cause of being recognized with an official Cold War Medal (either by the President or Congress).
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Guest
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RE:SENATOR OBAMA ON COLD WAR MEDAL
(Date Posted:07/12/2009 22:07:04)
Well, I've had enough of this, which some of you may welcome. Follows is why I made the initial inquiry about progress on the Frank Almquist Letter.
1 To assist if I could.
2. The letter from the Candidate Obama was posted on The ACWV's Home Page, therefore in the public domain.
3. The letter has been there for several months.
4. No discernible progress, follow up action and/or a status on the letter has ever been similarly posted, just
random discussion by posters, self included.
5. I fully understand and appreciate that some strategies/actions may not be posted on this, an open forum
due to sensitivity issues from time to time, but this letter was placed in the public domain, therefore I view it
actionable therein. Members need answers or discussion on what's going on, if not they may become
frustrated and loose interest.
6. Within the letter there is an indication that Candidate Obama was (is) sympathetic to issuance of the CWM
and when elected president would be empathetic then to, as well.
7. My opinion.......only, but it does appear that congress will not approve the Medal this year or next, therefore
we can only hope for a presidential decree ordering issuance of the medal and that, and that alone is the
rationale to get or obtain some favorable response to Frank Almquist's letter.
8. To post that letter on the home page and then not to press for a followup, hopefully resulting in a position
serves no purpose.
Some of you vets that have been in this fight for some time know I've been frustrated by the lack of
communication back to the membership and have ceased posting before. Well, like I stated, I've had enough and will cease and desist any further discussion.
jim811
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Jerald Terwilliger
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51#
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Rank:none
Score:582
Posts:582
From: USA
Registered:11/29/2006
Time spent: 17408 hours
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Re:SENATOR OBAMA ON COLD WAR MEDAL
(Date Posted:07/12/2009 23:58:37)
Jim, Check your email.
I must appologize for not responding sooner. I understand and agree about frustration for not receiving a reply.
Frank Almquist is a paid member.
There have been followup attempts to contact President Obama, but I have not had a reply.
And yes the letter did state he "was" in favor of a Cold War Victory Medal, but did not actually say he would
create one by executive order.
I am also receiving no reply to my letters and phone call to Senator Snowe's office, but I am still hoping she will followup and issue a bill very soon.
Obama's speech in Russia did not look good for our quest. Making no mention of our military helping to defeat
communisim. In an interview he was questioned about the role of the veterans who made it possible, he sidestepped
the issue.
Jerry
--------------------------------------------------------------
Illegitimi Non Carborundum
US Navy 1960-1970
-./--.-/-.-./.
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coldwarrior
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52#
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Registered:12/21/2003
Time spent: 0 hours
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Re:SENATOR OBAMA ON COLD WAR MEDAL
(Date Posted:07/13/2009 06:51:22)
Dear jpeters, You said: "It looks like you attended way too many McCain/Palin hate rallies during last year's election!  Ignorant rants like this serve no real purpose and can only be used to hurt our cause of being recognized with an official Cold War Medal (either by the President or Congress)." 1. Nope...wrong...not even close. I was in favor of Ron Paul. 2. I agree with your second sentence, in which you accurately describe your own statement. 3. Ad hominem attacks are the tactics of those with a weak argument, bullies, or both. I will not be passive when they are directed at me. 4. I am perfectly willing to engage in civil discourse over the merrit (or lack of merrit) of what I said, so long as we discuss the facts rather than engage in mud slinging. 5. I believe that it is important to hold our elected officials accountable for what they publicly said when they were trying to get elected and for what they publicly say after they are elected. 6. I believe that it is wrong to esteem the sensibilities of the Russians higher than the sensibilities of veterans of the Cold War and it is dishonorable to denegrate our hard won victory over the Soviet Union. There are too many bodies lying cold in the grave because of the villainous acts of the communist aggressors, intent on world revolution, to allow our leaders to prevaricate when they are asked direct questions about the Cold War victory. This is a transcript of the publicly televised question to the president and his response: Major Garrett: In your speech this morning you said the Cold War reached its conclusion because of the actions of many nations that were made by many nations over many years. Mr. President are the Russian sensitivities so fragile that you can't say that the Cold War was won, the West won it and it was led by a combination of democratic and Republican presidents?
Barack Obama: There were a whole bunch of people around Eastern Europe who showed enormous courage (like the Iranians today?) and... uh, I think that it is very important in this part of the world to acknowledge the degree to which people struggled for their own freedom. We don't have to diminish other people in order to recognize our role in that history.
--------------------------------------------------------------
On 12 June, 1987 at the Brandenburg Gate, West Berlin, President Ronald Reagan said, "Mr. Gorbachev, tear down this wall!"
On 9 November, 1989 THE WALL CAME DOWN !!!
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SACWARRIOR
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53#
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Rank:none
Score:130
Posts:130
From: USA
Registered:12/13/2003
Time spent: 17477 hours
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Re:SENATOR OBAMA ON COLD WAR MEDAL
(Date Posted:07/13/2009 08:45:19)
I can tell you that the Full Obama letters have been presented at every turn with our communication with congressional staffs. We hand presented it to Democrat & Republican staffs that handle the defense issues and represent Armed Service Committee members. They did seem to them as true communication with the Senator as far as we could tell. This was very welcomed at the time in May in DC, but it has moved to complete silence from out contacts. This has either become a problem they want to go away considering the objectives with arms reductions, they just don't have answers, or they are stonewalling, or they are actually trying to politically position the issue and get answers. Keep in mind, the new staffs that were still being flipped in DC with new administration was an issue May 1, and did not expect DOD staffs to answer requests and Inquiry, to be in place till summer. They were not even getting reply's themselves from DOD at the time since the transitioning positions have not fully been defined to congressional staffs.
Now, with what is going on today. Senator Snowe happens to be a major player on the Finance Committee, she is the kingpin of sorts working on the Health Care Reform. Health care reform has been put in front of most all agenda. So, I wouldn't discount Sen. Snowe yet, she may just not be able to get to it. Snowe is the one that would have to figure out where appropriations for our issue will come from. Sen. Collins is also in the mix.
Now, the new CIA cover up, possible interrogation prosecution, and secret ops that Pinetta unleashed this last week is going to take away a ton of focus, some of our support are also on the Judiciary committee.
I can say this, we ARE coming across their bow often and ARE getting known. I believe we are.
As far as other VSO's are concerned, Passive support is happening with majors except from the OIF/OEF type groups, in fact, they may be working against us. They are following us closely and get our feeds but won't return IM's or emails any more. They do not recognize the Cold War. It is too bad, if they would only realize that in 15 years, another group of War vets will come along and shun them. Wish I could break this cycle.
It is a rush for resources and until the major VSO's know how this will be appropriated they have a tough time rallying behind something that would potentially pull resources from current wounded warriors. There is an education piece we have to continue with the VSO's on this so they grasp what has happened to us. Example, last weeks "End of Cold War" shunning, should have outraged the major VSO's but they are quiet. This doesn't sit well with me.
One thing I believe that will also eventually blow up is how Veterans Groups are becoming partisan. Organizing as VSO's but verge on political PACs. There has always has been a bit of this, but there is a new dimension evolving since recent wars and generation just having a wrong headed view of the Cold War. Now we have to circumvent this too. We have been void of support in congress because of the waning Cold War generation in congress. Now you are seeing vets groups come from the battle field that have no knowledge of the Cold War entering political scene that look back on us as unworthy and have only current agendas on their minds. Don't blame them for the most part but it's naive. The Cold War End thing strokes on the national morale beyond how we feel about it and I think the American people are starting to pay attention.
Scott
(Message edited by SACWARRIOR On 07/13/2009 08:49:10)
--------------------------------------------------------------
http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/z?c111:S.2743:
http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/z?c111:H.R.4051:
http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/z?c111:H.RES.900:
http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/z?c111:H.CON.RES.207:
scott[at]americancoldwarvets[dot]org
http://membership-americancoldwarvets.org
(ICBM Master Team Chief, Missileer, USAF)
ACWV - Founding Member
AAFM - Life Member
NAAV - Life Member
"The long bitter years of the Cold War are over. America and her allies have won; totally, decisively, and overwhelmingly....So thank you SAC. Job well done. Enjoy your retirement."
--Gen. Colin Powell, Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff, 1992
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JIM WELLER
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54#
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Rank:none
Status:Still Serving
Score:389
Posts:389
From: USA
Registered:05/19/2008
Time spent: 13245 hours
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RE:SENATOR OBAMA ON COLD WAR MEDAL
(Date Posted:07/13/2009 15:24:34)
I agree with Scott that most OIF/OEF VSOs are not supportive of our cause. I don't think they are against us as much as they have their own agenda. As a OEF and OIF vet, I personally respect our Cold War Veterans as much as my sand box buddies. The American Legion and the VFW are great assets to our cause. They have political pull, too. They both have resolutions in support of a Cold War Service Medal, but we need to motivate them and get them to see Cold Warriors as potential members. More Cold Warriors in those VSOs will carry or cause.
--------------------------------------------------------------
Pennsylvania Keystone State Director ACWV
"History does not entrust the care of freedom to the weak or timid." --Dwight D. Eisenhower
"PEACE THROUGH STRENGTH !!"
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JIM WELLER
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55#
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Rank:none
Status:Still Serving
Score:389
Posts:389
From: USA
Registered:05/19/2008
Time spent: 13245 hours
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RE:SENATOR OBAMA ON COLD WAR MEDAL
(Date Posted:07/13/2009 15:38:21)
Also, John Peters, I COULD easily take offense to your "McCain/Palin HATE rallies" could be self defined as an "Ignorant rant." As an unapologetic Conservative, my Cold War service was during the Reagan and Bush Administrations and my experience was that most that served around me during those years were conservative also. So attacking Republicans does not serve our cause either. I'm sure I'm guilty of of the same. I recognize that some of strongest leaders in the ACWV are Democrats. The ability to hit both sides of the fence with our cause is a strength.
--------------------------------------------------------------
Pennsylvania Keystone State Director ACWV
"History does not entrust the care of freedom to the weak or timid." --Dwight D. Eisenhower
"PEACE THROUGH STRENGTH !!"
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jpeters
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56#
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Rank:none
Score:35
Posts:35
From: USA
Registered:07/24/2008
Time spent: 0 hours
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Re:SENATOR OBAMA ON COLD WAR MEDAL
(Date Posted:07/13/2009 19:44:31)
I don't mean to offend anyone. All I'm saying is that people should keep their political rants to themselves when it comes to the issue of the Cold War Service Medal. These are public forums and anybody can view the comments posted here. That includes political staffers for the very elected officials we are trying to convert. The last thing we need is this forum turning into a political commentary about the President of the United States being a communist or some other similar B.S.
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JIM WELLER
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57#
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Rank:none
Status:Still Serving
Score:389
Posts:389
From: USA
Registered:05/19/2008
Time spent: 13245 hours
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RE:SENATOR OBAMA ON COLD WAR MEDAL
(Date Posted:07/14/2009 13:34:18)
John, I said "I COULD easily take offense." COULD meaning that I didn't. I'm a loose cannon once in a while, so I give leeway to others. Plus, my skin is pretty thick. We must feel free to call out our elected officials, but your point is duly noted. Still, our Democratic members should have more pull with the current national government. They should be an asset in getting our organizations agenda moved forward. We need more exposure out there. If we could get the parties into a fight over who could do more for us, that would be a win-win.
--------------------------------------------------------------
Pennsylvania Keystone State Director ACWV
"History does not entrust the care of freedom to the weak or timid." --Dwight D. Eisenhower
"PEACE THROUGH STRENGTH !!"
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JIM WELLER
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58#
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Rank:none
Status:Still Serving
Score:389
Posts:389
From: USA
Registered:05/19/2008
Time spent: 13245 hours
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RE:SENATOR OBAMA ON COLD WAR MEDAL
(Date Posted:07/15/2009 18:53:42)
I brought up the subject of a Cold War Service Medal on the "Barack Obama (one million strong for Barack)" on Facebook. Not too much love on the subject. The Cold War apparently is not a real war to them. If you have a facebook account, you might want to chime in.
--------------------------------------------------------------
Pennsylvania Keystone State Director ACWV
"History does not entrust the care of freedom to the weak or timid." --Dwight D. Eisenhower
"PEACE THROUGH STRENGTH !!"
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pdudkowski
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59#
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Rank:none
Status:Navy Veteran
Score:222
Posts:222
From: USA
Registered:01/04/2004
Time spent: 0 hours
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RE:SENATOR OBAMA ON COLD WAR MEDAL
(Date Posted:07/16/2009 10:02:03)
I now think that trying the Obama approach will not bare fruit. However, we have one White House insider who is "all about the Cold War". Chairman of the Joint Chiefs, Adm. Mike Mullen has championed the cause for Cold War recognition for some time. Go to the Naval Historical Foundation and look up his own words. He has worked tirelessly to get a Cold War exhibit up and running and has very strong feelings on our role in the demise of communism. Granted, it is from a Navy slant that he speaks but then as a sailor, I'd be disappointed at anything less.
--------------------------------------------------------------
Paul V. Dudkowski
Charter Member, ACWV
US Navy, 1973 to 1978
"Dedicated to the Cause"
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JIM WELLER
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60#
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Rank:none
Status:Still Serving
Score:389
Posts:389
From: USA
Registered:05/19/2008
Time spent: 13245 hours
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RE:SENATOR OBAMA ON COLD WAR MEDAL
(Date Posted:07/16/2009 12:59:48)
Fair point, but maybe we can get the Admiral to petition Sec. Gates and the president. Even Gates is proud of his Cold War service.
--------------------------------------------------------------
Pennsylvania Keystone State Director ACWV
"History does not entrust the care of freedom to the weak or timid." --Dwight D. Eisenhower
"PEACE THROUGH STRENGTH !!"
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