Posted on 11/22/2009 13:15:53
Joe,
My personal opinion is that the best bet for reservists and Guardsmen is to write Sec. Gates and urge him to act on Congress previous recommendation to create and issue a Cold War Service Medal. We can mention the DOD poll,
Obama's previous support, and the current bills in Congress to re-address
DOD's failure to act. Write Obama also.
Posted on 11/22/2009 13:08:20
If you are a resident of PA, write BOTH senators, your congressman, and Sestak, Murphy, and Murtha as a priority.
SENATOR ARLEN SPECTOR
711 HART SENATE OFFICE BLDG
WASHINGTON, DC 20510
SENATOR BOB CASEY
393 RUSSELL SENATE OFFICE BLDG
WASHINGTON, DC 20510
HON. JOSEPH SESTAK
1022 LONGWORTH HOB
WASHINGTON, DC 20515
HON. PATRICK MURPHY
414 MILL STREET
BRISTOL, PA 19007
HON. ALLYSON SCHWARTZ
330 CANNON HOB
WASHINGTON, DC 20515
HON. JASON ALTIMARE
332 CANNON HOB
WASHINGTON, DC 20515
HON. ROBERT BRADY
206 CANNON HOB
WASHINGTON, DC 20515
HON. CHRISTOPHER CARNEY
175 PINE ST. SUITE 103
WILLIAMSPORT, PA 17701
HON. KATHY DAHLKEMPER
516 CANNON HOB
WASHINGTON, DC 20515
HON. CHARLIE DENT
1009 LONGWORTH HOB
WASHINGTON, DC 20515
HON. MIKE DOYLE
401 CANNON HOB
WASHINGTON, DC 20515
HON. CHAKA FATTAH
2301 RAYBURN HOB
WASHINGTON, DC 20515
HON. JIM GERLACH
308 CANNON HOB
WASHINGTON, DC 20515
HON. PAUL KANJORSKI
2188 RAYBURN HOB
WASHINGTON, DC 20515
HON. TIM HOLDEN
2417 RAYBURN HOB
WASHINGTON, DC 20515
HON. TIM MURPHY
322 CANNON HOB
WASHINGTON, DC 20515
HON. JOE PITTS
420 CANNON HOB
WASHINGTON, DC 20515
HON. TODD RUSSELL PLATTS
2455 RAYBURN HOB
WASHINGTON, DC 20515
HON. BILL SHUSTER
204 CANNON HOB
WASHINGTON, DC 20515
HON. GLENN THOMPSON
124 CANNON HOB
WASHINGTON, DC 20515
Posted on 11/21/2009 19:29:29
I hope this doesn't take away from the Cold War Service Medal bills. I can see congressmen take the middle road by saying, "hey, I support our Cold War vets by voting for a Cold War Recognition Day" but not a Cold War Medal. I see Congressman
Sestak voted for this resolution, but has yet to get on board for a CWSM. We are already fighting to get their attention from the Health Care bill and Thanksgiving break. We need to re-engage these congressmen, thank them for the support of HR 900, but press them to support HR 4051.
Posted on 11/18/2009 18:01:18
Thanks Jerry for posting this. We tend to forget that Korea and Vietnam were campaigns/theaters of the Cold War. It was a very costly war, but one that liberated millions and protected billions.
Posted on 11/18/2009 17:56:01
COLDWARRIOR,
I enjoy and am usually educated by your posts. You have more time than most that aren't recognized as veterans. It is a CRIME as far as I'm concerned. Thanks for your service to our country and ACWV. I have been recognized as a veteran, but I remember when I returned from almost four years overseas during the Cold War and being told I wasn't. I won't stop till all our honorable Cold War veterans are recognized. Leave no comrade behind. The current GWOT Service Medal does not differ between Title 10 or 32, so I hope DOD writes this properly into regulation and you qualify.
Posted on 11/18/2009 17:32:40
AIR FORCE TIMES is a good avenue as are other service and VSO papers/magazines. I have had a letter to the editor published in AF Times before. I also tipped them about the DOD Poll. But, be advised Bob
Dorr fro AF and Military Times is not a friend of our cause.
Posted on 11/17/2009 19:40:59
ColdWarrior,
Well the National Guard has always been treated as 2
nd Class even back to the War of Independence, when the Continentals looked down on the Militia.
Posted on 11/16/2009 17:23:50
Thanks for posting about the passing of this American Hero. It is interesting to note that no Medals Of Honor have been presented to a living recipient, who earned it after Vietnam.
Posted on 11/13/2009 16:07:13
Also note that Iraq and Afghanistan or GWOT have not been added, yet, so we shouldn't get too offended, but it is something we need to come back to at some point.
Posted on 11/13/2009 15:59:59
GOOD POSTS. At Least we can get COLD WAR added somewhere, even if it is back door. The GWOT Service Medal does not rate veterans benefits but service during this Conflict Period does give you some benefits. They could continue the GWOTSM at some point and end the Conflict Period. The GWOT Expeditionary Medal, Iraq Campaign Medal, and Afghan Campaign Medals are qualifying medals.
Posted on 11/13/2009 15:47:24
Don't read too much into "SERVICE MEDAL." The GWOT SERVICE MEDAL does not have to be awarded for overseas service, nor does the ARMED FORCES SERVICE MEDAL. As far as attached VA benefits, it doesn't matter either. They will designate the qualifying awards. AFSM was originally not a qualifier...now it is. The qualifying medals are termed CAMPAIGN medals, but that does not always exist in a medals name. Except, the Purple Heart, which is classified as a personal DECORATION.
Posted on 11/12/2009 18:57:05
KAZ,
I'm on the opposite corner of PA. I'm stationed at Willow Grove Air Reserve Station. Thank you for your service. Medal or not, does not take away our victory or service.
Posted on 11/12/2009 18:03:02
Just make sure you VOTE by calling or writing your Senators and Congressman, too.
Posted on 11/12/2009 06:58:40
Jerry,
Good to hear. Thanks for staying in the fight during your pain. Hell, LEADING the fight, heroically !!
Posted on 11/12/2009 06:41:52
CAZMAN,
We still need you, buddy. Need your push on our Senators and Reps in Pennsylvania. Were you PA National Guard? I'm still working on pushing a PA State Cold War Medal. Presented a Foxfall Cold War Medal to some higher officials.
Posted on 11/10/2009 17:30:58
Yes, time has come for Sec. Gates to speak. Hopefully, his staffers will see the bills and take note of the CWSM being #1 on their survey, and treat it as a REAL issue that needs to be properly addressed.
Posted on 11/10/2009 17:21:06
Semper Fi, Mac. God Bless our MARINES.
Posted on 11/10/2009 17:18:42
I've been posting on various
Facebook veterans sites. Several dozen have joined our ACWV
Facebook site since I started. We never know were our next win will come or who will get it. It all helps. Unfortunately, many of our current veterans have always had a rich awards program. They don't understand earlier Cold War times. I worked getting a lot of WWII veterans their medals years after they thought medals didn't matter when they were young. Many skipped that part of their demobilization, because they didn't want to stand in one more line in the military while civilian life was knocking. When they had a whole life of events and wisdom to measure their military service against, they recognized that important time in their life and they wanted those medals.
Posted on 11/10/2009 16:58:12
Not to beat this up, but the reserve issue is not dead. I still see a precedent set with the current Global War on Terror Service Medal. Technically, it can be awarded after 30 days of consecutive service or 60 days non-consecutive service. That can be training, Annual Training, etc. It doesn't matter if it is Title 10 or 32. A Guardsman does NOT have to be federalized. The National Defense Service Medal goes to Guardsman on title 32 also, active or inactive duty, just Honorable Service is required. Have faith. Keep in the fight. Don't give us "WEEKEND WARRIORS" a bad name. We aren't quitters.
Posted on 11/09/2009 19:17:27
I was CONUS after spending my time in West Germany 1985-1987. Might have been eating pizza, too; )
