Posted on 11/12/2009 20:33:53
You stumbled on one of the other issues and one of the biggest in my eyes. "The official period of conflict" is about the biggest issue in our whole matter.
Many have described the CWSM as being comparable to the GWOT Service medal. This is not accurate. It may be in form, but not actually.
The Cold War is not a period of conflict, so when the CWSM, if it comes out in form like the GWOT service will NOT make the Cold War a period of conflict. The Period of conflict was already established before the GWOT was created for the period of the GWOT, this is why the NDSM comes with, they are war veterans. The CWSM, in the GWOT form will not be the same, and will not get us war veterans status with just the issuance of the medal. Administrative changes would have to happen in different titles I believe, Frank knows this detail, for it to be the same. They will NOT willingly change the Cold War to be a period of conflict without a proverbial gun to their head. This is my big concern.
Now, if the CWSM comes out in the form of a campaign medal, guess what, it would change the Cold War to a conflict. You cannot have a campaign without a conflict. Smell what I am cooking? That was the issue I have been trying to convey to everyone.
The need or scenario for two separate medals Victory(service medal - like GWOT) and a Service(campaign medal - let say like VSM/KDSM) to make it right.
Or a Service medal alone with the congress declaring it a period of conflict. This is what we MUST demand and scream out-loud about when we get the attention of the media and we have support.
Posted on 11/09/2009 20:16:13
RE: I wasn't CONUS making PIZZA runs watching Monday Night Football.
Your frustration is understandable, but the CONUS bashing crap I cannot tolerate. Can we move past this CONUS vs. OCONUS garbage? I know the OCONUS folk have a tuff time with CONUS duty, but there are billets and critical missions that served CONUS that had much more of a job and actually contributed more directly to the mission than some OCONUS. You say your not striking out at anyone, but this type of talk can't stand.
The incredible, guys actually involved, in this org have gone above and beyond any realistic persons perseverance and patience and at great personal cost, health and wealth. I can tell you we not only haven't taken salary, we actually pay for the tools out of our own pocket to keep this effort going. The marketing and advertising I am paying for as well as the membership site and software for instance.
Glen is right, no one has forgotten the reservist and guard guys. The ability to communicate all the time, with every thought, and with every concern, and every twist to forum members in a timely way is hard to do. Remember, issues we are up against would boggle your mind and no way can be put in writing in an open forum, we are available to discuss off line and we are available always.
On a possitive: Look what has happened this week, the world celebrated freedom, (not with us) but it was because of you, We have congress (IG) criminally investigating what happened to our medal in 2001(you didn't know this till now)which has taken a lot of our time but could bare fruit for all vets potentially, We have resolutions in to get us a Cold War Vets Day nationally so every year we can make them remember how they treated us(we win), I am in discussion with private people to ad a Cold War memorial to a VA cemetery(we win), we have a Medal bill actually introduced and greatly timed no matter what it is(we win), and then we have the American people who are now coming around and realizing their threatened liberty and starting to think that maybe they had it good on our watch, the people are the key to our next victory, we need them to understand why what we did for them is key to our history as a nation and our morale. The people will not let our victory slip away, may let it get close, but I have faith they will come around, we need to push them.
We stood tuff for a long long time fighting a Beast, don't let the Beast get under your skin. We will prevail.
Posted on 11/07/2009 21:22:02
I will not attempt to try and curb everyone's initial furry over what this Bill looks like but, does everyone remember the discussion of campaign vs. victory medal? This version is the campaign medal, we haven't seen the final text yet, ultimately not our decision, but that is what was intended. My personal beef was, if it had to be a long service time like 24 months it better be a campaign medal. The victory medal version would have been for all whom served, those of you who just wanted acknowledgment that would have been the version for you, it would however come without alleviating any ills from those without a campaign medal. The victory medal is an entirely different medal and has tuff issues politically. I can say that there is a private initiative outside of ACWV with Government inquiries to the victory medal that may be discussable down the road. Let's say the CWSM is a clean ACWV initiative that is not wrapped up in the inquiry or has a rub to it. Victory will play out as this gets traction.
I personnaly understand the guard / reserve issue and like Sean mentioned, we have left open an option for DoD to make exemptions to the criteria, B & C can clarify further any requirements for the medal DoD sees fit. This part was the sticker with DoD. So, it is possible they could set criteria that is less than 24 months service they wish or fit their ideals. That could mean units, time in service, assignments etc...
Posted on 11/05/2009 09:25:08
http://www.queenscourier.com/articles/2009/11/04/news/opinion/op_ed/doc4af1c25310888287725736.txt
New York State Senate Member
Joseph P. Addabbo, Jr.
15th District
District Office
159-3 102nd Street
Howard Beach, NY
11414
Press Release
For Immediate Release
Contact ……………………… Patricia A. McCabe, 718-738-1111
ADDABBO’S COLD WAR VETERANS BILL
SIGNED INTO LAW BY GOVERNOR
Thanks to the diligent work and strong support from Cold War veterans in Queens County and throughout New York State, Governor David A. Paterson officially signed Senate Bill 4766 into law, hereby allowing for New York City and other counties to opt into real property tax exemptions for Cold War veterans. Approximately 882,700 Cold War veterans are now eligible for these exemptions. This legislation marks the second veterans bill to have passed the New York State Legislature in a challenging year.
Cold War veterans are defined as serviceman and servicewoman who served on active duty in the United States armed forces between September 2, 1945 and December 26, 1991. The time period encompasses World War II, Korean War, Vietnam War and the Persian Gulf Conflict.
Sponsored by Senator Joseph P. Addabbo, Jr.(D-Howard Beach) in the New York State Senate and Assemblywoman Amy R. Paulin (D-Scarsdale) in the New York State Assembly, municipalities are permitted to choose and offer increased property tax exemptions to these veterans. “It is an honor to demonstrate and recognize the respect that is owed to our veterans and to acknowledge their courageous acts and accomplishments,” Senator Addabbo said. “The signing of this bill by Governor Paterson is commendable and serves as a further call of awareness to the financial plight of our brave veterans. I am proud to be one of the leading advocates in assisting our New York State veterans.”
Prominent groups, such as The Jewish War Veterans of the United States of America Department of New York (JWV) and the National Ladies Auxiliary of Jewish War Veterans Department of New York, recognized flaws in the real property tax exemption for veterans and sought to correct the misstep through advocacy and legislation. Of particular interest to the JWV was a need for an expansion of the veterans property tax exemption – particularly for New York City – which was previously unable to opt in. Jerry Alperstein, Legislative Committee Chair, of the JWV Department of New York said: “The bill that was passed amended a 2007 law which had a sunset provision requiring municipalities to opt into the tax exemption by October 2008, less than a year after the bill went into effect. The JWV sought support to get the sunset provision either extended or eliminated. JWV is most appreciative of Senator Addabbo for sponsoring the bill and helping get it passed.”
Benefits of the bill include facilitating the procedure by excluding the requirement of a municipality to submit a “home rule” bill, which was previously needed in determining a real property tax exemption. Towns and cities can now legally offer higher property tax exemptions to Cold War veterans and additionally, cooperative and tenant-stock holders who reside in cooperative apartments can apply for property tax exemptions to their dwellings.
Veterans who are not currently receiving eligible funds or alternative veterans’ exemption can apply for these benefits. “This bill was a product of constituents and veterans organizations coming to me and requesting this benefit. It is a true picture of how government should work, elected officials listening to the concerns of their people and acting on it.” concluded Senator Addabbo.
For further information on the new exemptions for Cold War Veterans, you can call Senator Addabbo at 718-738-1111.
Posted on 11/01/2009 16:46:01
I think this is a great idea. One item that needs correcting before we allout support it. If wayne would change the font size to squeeze it our war in his banner (add the word "Cold") to prove acknowledgment of our war, then I vote all in. Otherwize I have a hard time supporting another group that keeps us outside the perimeter.
Posted on 10/23/2009 15:33:49
Announcement: ACWV is now on YouTube. I ask all of you that are familiar with YouTube to check it out, feel free to network us with others. IF you know of or own your own channel and or want to connect it to our channel, or have us post it, let me know.
YouTube is a monster with exposure and we intend ACWV to be a pass through to all Cold War content there.
http://www.youtube.com/user/AmericanColdWarVetsLink to our channel is also in the top navigation on this forum.
Any members that have means to make video content for our channel or assist in this project get in touch.
Scott
Posted on 10/20/2009 20:08:00
Well, we are waiting for approval from VFW to share the story. When we get approval we will post, since story is pre release.
The 4 Article names.
Winning the Cold War
1. Fall of the Berlin Wall Frees East Europe - By lee Edwards
2. Commemorating Cold War Combat Casualties
3. 'You Won the Cold War'
4. ‘Selflessness & Courage’ By Tim Dyhouse
Posted on 10/20/2009 14:53:12
In the November Issue of the VFW magazine, there are 4 articles everyone needs to see!
Posted on 10/14/2009 07:03:25
DBMN,
Let me answer a couple of your comments.
1. Is ACWV recognized by the DoD. No we are not.
2. The Current SecDef is one of the people that have been involved with killing the medal. This needs to be flanked with new strategy to reset the issue in a manner which it will allow him to let go through at no political loss or force it.
3. Lobbying. Because we are technically a nonprofit charity, unlike a chartered VSO that can demand an ear from congress like VFW, Legion, etc...We cannot arrange the meeting you suggest. Why are we not a chartered VSO or able to lobby? That is because Cold War Vets bridge years during unrecognized period of war that prohibit us from meeting the "membership test" requirements in the 501c tax code that would let us lobby like a c19. Currently only 8million veterans have a voice via a lobbying VSO, this is wrong, and we are trying to change this too. Let me explain the membership test a bit more. If you have a campaign medal as cold war vet already(like an AFEM), you would meet the membership test, but many of our members do not have a single campaign medal or expeditionary medal that would get us to the threshold of 95% members with to be able to lobby. We are finding that congress may prefer to NOT have an additional 15million veterans with a lobbying voice! Did you catch that? My belief is this a big issue to why the medal has been killed. If ever vet understood this, and every VSO out there, this should be the biggest reason to support the medal. I will say, there are many irons in the fire as Jerry mentioned that we are working.
4. Sen. Snowe happens to be the Senator of our Chairman Jerry and allows legal communication and legislation to take place through her.
5.Working on the VA and I will say, my recent meeting with VA reps in my state, as a vet that is not in the system, it was the first time in 20 years I got a positive response from them. We know Sec Shinsecki is not a barrier and things are changing, soon we may have ACWV listed with the VA as a VSO on their register. Having us listed with the VA formally will help in many ways, exposure, legitimacy, and acknowledgment we exist.
6. Legion. Soon after the 2009-2010 National Legion Commander took his post, I met him in person and asked for his help, so far we are still connected and the meeting was cordial and I have hope that the legion is changing, just from the fact that the leadership is accessible is a big change. The way we left it, and I am waiting on his reply, was they do everything by resolution as we know, and they would check what their current position was on the medal. Company line but that is all he could give at the time. But, we need to bombard them with our issues so they get it, they don't get it for the many reasons we have, So I will say to do this. Let Commander Hill know your thoughts.
Email him:
chill@legion.org Go to his website and connect with him on on media, website:
http://clarencehill.legion.org/-Out
Scott
Posted on 10/02/2009 18:14:22
http://www.americanairpowermuseum.com/Website/Index.aspxhttp://www.americanairpowermuseum.com/Website/popup-index2.htmlCalling all Cold War Veterans: Congressman Israel,
History Channel and Stop & Shop Supermarkets team up to honor those who served during those dangerous decades
For
forty years they kept the Cold War from becoming hot: Americans in
missile silos and Berlin checkpoints, remote B-52 bomber bases and
storm tossed Navy picket ships, all part of the Cold War conflict that
was always a trigger away from global nuclear destruction. They never
received a parade for their courage or professionalism, or even a
public word of thanks. Until now.
On
Saturday, October 3rd, at 11:00 a.m. at the American Airpower Museum
at Republic Airport, 1230 New Highway, Farmingdale, Cold War veterans
from throughout the region are invited to stand with U.S. Congressman
Steve Israel, History™ Channel’s Chief Historian Dr.
Libby O’Connell and Stop & Shop Supermarkets as they pay public
tribute to the hundreds of thousands of Americans who served during the
Cold War during those desperate decades.
October
was selected because it was during that month that the most dangerous
chapter in the history of the Cold War occurred, the Cuban missile
crisis, as America and the Soviet Union came perilously close to a
thermonuclear exchange. On October 2, 1962, the Joint Chiefs of Staff
were given specific instructions by then Defense Secretary Robert
McNamara outlining how and why the United States would invade Cuba,
including Russia’s installation of offensive missiles directed against
America. It would begin a month long crisis that nearly brought the
world to war.
Congressman
Israel stated, “Each American generation has faced dangerous threats to
our nation’s future. Some events, such as Pearl Harbor or the fall of
Berlin, were immediately recognized as defining moments. The four
decades of the Cold War did not produce such an event. There were no
victory day parades. There was no opportunity to say thank you to those
who stood vigil on behalf of freedom. And, by and large, Long Islanders
do not understand the role they played in being part of the last line
of defense during those forty years of ideological conflict between
Democracy and Communism. Our effort addresses the need to pay tribute
to our Cold War veterans and our need to better understand our history.
History™ stands witness
Dr.
O’Connell said few New Yorkers remember that they were on the front
line throughout the Cold War. “Soviet submarines sat off shore, within
easy missile range during the Cuban missile crisis. Nuclear tipped
Nikes at Rocky Point were poised to detonate in the air to bring down
Russian Bear bombers. Interceptor fighters sat in Westhampton and New
Jersey, always minutes away from `scramble.’ In short, we were an armed
camp, and very few of us knew it then or recall it now.”
Congressman Israel commended History™ and
Stop & Shop for their sponsorship of the tribute effort and, to
sustain awareness of the significance of this era, he will seek to
propose that October be declared Cold War Veterans Tribute Month.
“For
forty years there was not one day that our armed forces could afford to
be anything but vigilant, given that our nation’s very existence was at
risk. We know now that there were times during those four decades when
our opponents actually contemplated nuclear war, but it was only the
threat from a strong, well prepared and determined democracy that kept
those atomic warheads in the silos. Today’s effort is an acknowledgment
that we never said `thank you’ to those who kept the peace and thereby
saved civilization from a nuclear winter,” he noted.
Robert
Hempson, an executive with Stop & Shop, concluded, “We as a nation
have an obligation to pay tribute to those who have defended our
nation, now and in the past. Because of the duration of the Cold War
and the fact that it took many forms in many parts of the world, we
have a tendency to overlook the sacrifice and the courage required to
win that conflict. This is just one opportunity to do so and we are
grateful to partner with History™ and Congressman Israel.”
Those Cold War veterans wishing to attend as guests of Stop & Shop Supermarkets, Congressman Israel and History™ should RSVP to glewi@rubenstein.com. Members of their families are invited to join them. The museum’s web site is www.americanairpowermuseum.com
 |
Just
scant yards from Long Island bathers nuclear tipped Nike missiles
protected the New York metro area during the height of the Cold War.
The veterans who manned those sites and those who served throughout the
military during the Cold War will be honored on October 3rd at the
American Airpower Museum at Republic on the eve of the anniversary of
the Cuban missile crisis. |
 |
F-101’s
based at Westhampton Air Force Base during the 1960’s blast past mid
town Manhattan during a training session during the height of the Cold
War. Cold War veterans, and their families, are invited to a tribute
ceremony with Congressman Steve Israel, the History Channel and Stop
& Shop on October 3rd at the American Airpower Museum at Republic
Airport. |
Visit the museum’s web site for more information.
www.americanairpowermuseum.com and their office of public information is 212 843-8010.
Posted on 09/30/2009 19:09:04
http://blogs.villagevoice.com/runninscared/archives/2009/09/empire_state_bu_2.phpForgive me with this one, I do Not condone the anti President rhetoric in the article and neither does ACWV, but there is a poison spreading that disregards what the Communists have done in the past, those that served and were lost and to see what is going on here is disturbing and outrageous!
Posted on 09/26/2009 09:41:32
Rob, posting this on the forum is not what I meant about a "confidential", Anyhoo, send Jerry and I both copies of this letter please. Stay positive.
I don't think the issue is the lack of support for a medal, I think it is the lack of will of the politicians to fight for the money to go with the numbers and side effects the medal creates. The KDSM, for instance is actually a very low total number in reality, compared to what we are asking for. Little VSO's will have the balls to fight for something that , in their eyes draws funds from other vet programs that strays outside of anything that doesn't effect their membership directly. That is the reality of it.
Posted on 09/25/2009 09:44:30
If you are a member in the PA area, please contact Dick or Gene and represent the ACWV at the dedication!
http://www.strausnews.com/articles/2009/09/25/pennsylvania/milestones/2.txtCold War monument to be dedicated
The Veterans Memorial Park and Education Center
Society will be dedicating the Cold War Monument, their most recent
project, on Monday, Oct. 12 at 1 p.m. This event will take place at
Veterans Park at Airport Park in Matamoras. The Cold War spanned the
years 1945 to 1991. Although not a shooting war, it was a time of
serious tension between the United States, its allies and the Soviet
Union. To honor the sacrifice of the men and women who served during
that period of time, park sponsors are inviting all military posts,
organizations, individual veterans, and the general public to attend
the dedication.
Military posts that would like to take part in the
ceremony with their color guards, are asked to contact:
Dick Gassmann at
570-491-4003, or Gene Goldner at 570-686-1448.
Posted on 09/23/2009 19:52:46
rodevito, Ok, Please send me a confidential to what you know, on what, who, when, on the position you state the VVA has taken on a Europe medal.
Posted on 09/20/2009 11:56:49
Does the CW deserve a stand alone medal yes, actually more than one. I would not dwell on whether we get the NDSM at this point until the CW is properly recognized.
Service Medals: Types; campaign, war, national emergency, expedition, or thefulfillment of specified Service requirements in a creditable manner.I think we have gotten discombobulated again on what the CWSM initiative is about. Let me state this first. Do we deserve a Cold War Victory Medal, YES. Do we have support from all parties on a Victory Medal, IFFY and most likely not, the Victory Medal aspect has it's issues politically on both sides. Do we need a Victory Medal, NO. If the Victory medal was to happen, it would be comparable to the WWII Victory Medal which awarded to all who served, but comes with no attachments, so it does not achieve the goal of recognition for Expeditionary, Campaign, Combat duty engaged in during the off War periods for Cold War Vets. The Victory Medal would need following medals or actions by congress to open up other medals criteria for those duties(the fight continues)
The NDSM is a national emergency type medal which is recognition that does not equate to solve the issue above either in itself.
The ADSM is a campaign Medal for service for 12 months and does get you closer to the goal. Could even have new specific clasps created etc...
The Cold War Service Medal being proposed could be either: National emergency type or Campaign type. What the medal is named is not exclusive to it's type. Option1: a CWSM as nationally emergency type for service with special appurtenances that make the CWSM also a campaign or special service rating(example: the new Air Force Expeditionary Ribbon with the Gold Boarder for Combat duty) The CWSM could have a device for
exped, combat etc...so deemed worthy by
Dod. Option2: But, what we are proposing is the CWSM be a Campaign medal like it was passed in 2001 NDAA, That would allow the CWSM to potentially be clarified with operation credit(stars) or clasps for duty specified by
DoD. This Type of medal would get Cold Warriors a medal for service during a period that would rate Benefits and potentially veterans preference. (this is the COST, the congress is nervous about, not actually the cost of the medals per say) For Cold Warriors that do not have a single award , that do not qualify for memberships, that do not get equality in treatment, or tax breaks, or other earned, this is the back breaker. This method puts the CWSM along side of the VSM in weight, it should not be compared to by service but by type.
The Victory Medal angle creates problems that retroactively asks to declare war, which is a whole can of worms we are finding. Keep in mind President Reagan promised we would not gloat, we would not talk about winners and losers. It makes this all more difficult. Even though Victory is understood. If the CWSM is achieved like above, we would be in our rights to talk victory at that point and fight on for memorials, national days for us etc...
I believe the CWSM as a campaign medal achieves the most, the AFEM criteria should also be opened up to 1945-1991 for operations not yet awarded for. What would be best, well, a complete ensemble of theatre medals, likely no. Will everyone be happy, never.
Posted on 09/04/2009 16:28:10
http://www.jbs.org/jbs-news-feed/5302You know, when Putin had the balls to parade the Soviet flag in front of George Bush in Red square and he didn't protest or walk off the stage, the world laughed as us, now you have the the hammer and sickle to fly at the White House. What is going on with our nation to do this?
Posted on 09/01/2009 19:23:27
MUST READ
Reagan's Secret War: The Untold Story of His Fight to Save the World from Nuclear Disaster by Martin Anderson
http://amzn.com/030723861XRonald Reagan's secret documents and internal discussions have been allowed to the Author to make this book possible. From the over the phone rundown to me from a person reading it, knowing my past accounts to them, a lot of it is in this book. The Cold War was real, it was up tempo, it was absent of the policy of MAD(mutual assured destruction), The mission was to win it, period! The
ruskies new it, those in the hole new it, I new it and was carrying out a mission for first strike. The book tells of how in the 80's we came closer to Nuclear war than during the Cuban Missile Crisis. This is a breakthrough and we need to talk about it!
I will reserve my final thoughts until I read it. I am sure this is from the perspective from the top down, and not the bottom up. The policy makers did not have the same perspective as those executing the mission first hand.
Scott
