Subject:
Cold War Service Medal Act

To:
Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand

January 4, 2010

As a constituent I ask you to actively support S.2743 the Cold War Medal
Act of 2009 Sponsored by Senators Snowe, Webb, Lincoln, Landrieu.

Presently no Campaign Medal exists to recognize the dedicated
participation of thousands of Cold War service members who "Stood Watch"
and participated in hundreds of military exercises and operations that
occurred between the start of the Cold War on 02 September 1945 and the
end of the Cold War on 26 December 1991 in the cause of promoting world
Peace and stability which led to the eventual fall of the Berlin Wall.

Although there have been some instances where a medal or ribbon such as
Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, Korean Defense Service Medal , Vietnam
Service Medal have been issued; the vast majority of veterans did not
receive any recognition or medal during the Cold War period. Although a
Cold War Certificate exists, federal employees to include Postal Workers
can receive this award thus diluting its status and meaning for service
members who served during this time period.

Our Governments foreign policy at the time was to contain Soviet World
Domination and our Service members followed their military orders and
stood watch on the line in the Fulda Gap with Tanks, Infantry on
operational missile silos, ships and submarines, SAC planes which were all
armed and ready 24/7. Some service members served on fully operational
secret SAM sites with special warheads requiring security clearances.
These Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen and Marines faced a force ten times their
size. They did this knowing that there mission was to slow down the larger
Soviet led Warsaw Pact nations until reinforcements from the United States
could arrive. They all performed their duties fearlessly, professionally
and honorably.

During this period, thousands of these service members were killed,
wounded, and became missing in Cold War overseas operations, which were
separate and distinct from other recognized wars such as the Korean War
and the Vietnam War. In addition many were exposed to chemicals, atomic
radiation, and other substances that created health problems; without the
service member's knowledge.

Millions of Cold War Veterans prevented communist world domination and
nuclear war which had a direct impact on the fall of the Berlin Wall on
November 9th 1989 in addition many former Warsaw Pact nations are now
thriving democracies because of the dedicated service of Cold War
Veterans. Because of the aforementioned reasons It is appropriate that a
Cold War Medal be issued to honor service members who served during this
time period. These service members deserve no less from our Government.

The VFW, American Legion and AMVETS support this Legislation.

Thank You.

Respectfully,

Sean P. Eagan

Public Affairs Director Former Chairman American Cold War Veterans

Life Member Veterans of Foreign Wars

Dear President Obama, 
 
I am writing you today because I have a dream one day all veterans will be treated as equal. Today, to many people's surprise they are not.

Cold War era veterans. are currently treated unfairly by a arbitrary system of dates that are used for determining VA healthcare and pension eligibility. This system leads to a staggering number of inequities in determining who is and who is not eligible for certain VA benefits. 

In 1970 I helped found a ground breaking affirmative action program called first step that allowed minority dental students have the same opportunities to receive a education as everyone else.

What I am asking today is that you reform the VA system so that all veterans receive the same treatment by the VA when it comes to benefits. 

Mr. President your administration has brought hope to the country that change is on the way. It is my sincere hope that can reform this inherently unfair system. We all took the same oath and no veteran is more or less worthy than any other. We all are veterans no matter when we served our country.  

I will come to Washington with representatives from American Cold War Veterans anytime to discuss this matter and present some ideas for improving the VA benefits system. Please contact us we can help make this happen. 
I have a dream Mr. President can you help make it come true. 

 
Dr. Robert Kamansky
Captain US Army Dental Corps 1969-73
Life Member of VVA
Founding Member of the American Cold War Veterans

http://cold-war-veterans-blog.blogspot.com

Published in Daily Messenger-Rochester NY

December 12th 2008

Jamestown, N.Y.

I am the chairman of a national group of Cold War veterans who have been tracking the adoption of property tax exemptions by local governments in New York state.

Several cities and counties in the state have adopted such exemptions. To our knowledge, Ontario County is the first county or city to veto such as measure, and we are puzzled as to why.

Ralph Calabreses words struck a chord with our membership , his fight is what we are all about. Like Mr. Calabrese, I am a veteran of another conflict, the Gulf War, and would not need such a exemption.

But we stand up for our brothers who should not be discriminated against because of when they took their oath to defend our nation, and should not be relegated to second-class status for VA health care and any other benefit afforded to veterans. Many during the Cold War era served in harms way and made the ultimate sacrifice.

The misconception we fight is that the during Cold War, that there were no shots fired. This is absolutely false, to quote former Secretary of Defense Robert McNamara "Cold War, hell it was a hot war."

I now live in Jamestown N.Y., and I am a former resident, attending Marcus Whitman High School in 1986. My father still lives on Canandaigua Lake and the story had an added interest to me. Wherever these kinds of things happen, we as a community of veterans, care about our brothers.

Sean Eagan
Chairman, American Cold War Veterans
Jamestown